Electioneering in Chhattisgarh has gained momentum, as campaigning for the first phase of Assembly elections in the state ends today. 18 constituencies will go to the polls in the phase on Monday. Out of the 18, 12 constituencies are in the Maoist-affected tribal Bastar region, while 6 are in Rajnandgaon division. Today, Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh is scheduled to address a Congress worker's convention in Raipur. In the second phase, 72 constituencies will go to the polls on the 19th of this month.

In Chhattisgarh, campaigning for the 18 assembly segments going to polls in the first phase on November 11 will come to an end this evening. Electioneering will end in 13 constituencies at 3 PM while in another five Assembly segments it will end at 5 PM. Majority of these segments are facing Maoist problem.

Amid Maoist call for boycott of polls, election officials have geared up to ensure smooth polling in these areas. Tight security arrangements are in place in all the constituencies.

With the issuing of notification, the filing of nomination began today for the Delhi Assembly elections. The nomination process will continue till 16th of this month, scrutiny will take place on 18th and candidates can withdraw their nominations till 20th. The polling for 70 seats Delhi Assembly is scheduled to be held on 4th of next month and counting will take place on 8th. AIR correspondent reports that the Delhi Chief Electoral Office has made elaborate arrangements for the nomination filing.

With the issuing of notification, the filing of nomination began today for the Delhi Assembly elections. The nomination process will continue till 16th of this month, scrutiny will take place on 18th and candidates can withdraw their nominations till 20th.

The polling for 70 seats Delhi Assembly is scheduled to be held on 4th of next month and counting will take place on 8th. AIR correspondent reports that the Delhi Chief Electoral Office has made elaborate arrangements for the nomination filing.

Scrutiny of nominations for the Madhya Pradesh and Mizoram polls will take place today. The last date for withdrawal of nomination in both the states is Monday, with polls scheduled for 25th. In Madhya Pradesh, 2,887 nomination papers were filed on the last day of nominations on Friday. A total of 4,887 nominations have been filed in the state for 230 Assembly segments.

In Rajasthan, 243 candidates have, so far, filed their nominations for the 1st December Assembly polls. 152 candidates filed nomination papers on Friday. 12 November is the last date of filing of nomination. Ministers Mahendra Jeet Singh Malviya, Mangilal Garasia and Manju Meghwal of Congress and Rajendra Rathor, Radheshyam Ganganagar and Devisingh Bhati of BJP are the prominent names who filed nomination papers on Friday. AIR correspondent reports that both BJP and Congress are facing challenge from rebel candidates.

Meanwhile, the Election Commission has notified the period between 11th of this month and 4th December, in which conducting any exit poll and publishing or publicising it in print or electronic media in the poll-bound and by poll-bound states is prohibited. Besides the upcoming elections in five states, by polls will also be held in Assemblies of Tamil Nadu and Gujarat.

In Tamil Nadu, Election Commission issued notification today for the Assembly by-election for Yercaud Constituency in Salem district. The by-election will be held on December 4 for this constituency.