Poll schedule for assembly elections in Jharkhand and Jammu and Kashmir has been announced. Eighty one member Jharkhand and eighty seven member Jammu and Kashmir assemblies will go to poll in five phases. The polling in both the States will take place on 25th November and 2nd, 9th, 14th and 20th of December. Counting for all the seats in the two states will be held on 23rd of December.

In Jharkhand, out of the 81 seats , 13 Assembly constituencies will go to poll in first phase, 20 in second , 17 in third, 15 in fourth and polling in 16 constituencies will be held in fifth phase. On the other hand in Jammu and Kashmir, out of 87 constituencies, 15 will go to poll in first phase, 18 in second , 16 in third , 18 in fourth and polling to 20 seats will be held in the last phase.

Chief Election Commissioner V S Sampath announced the poll schedule in New Delhi this evening. He said the model code of conduct has come into force with immediate effect in both States.

Mr. Sampath said, the Commission has taken all possible measures to conduct free and fair polls in the two states, which are very sensitive from the security point of view.

The Chief Election Commissioner also said, by-elections for three assembly seats in Delhi will also be held in the first phase on 25th of next month and counting will be held on 23rd December. These seats are Mehrauli, Tughlakabad and Krishna Nagar which fell vacant following the election of MLAs representing these three seats to the Lok Sabha.

When asked whether election could have been delayed in Jammu and Kashmir in the wake of recent floods, Mr Sampath said, the full election commission had recently visited the State and during consultation, most of the political parties were in favour of holding elections in the state on time. He said, the Commission will make arrangements to facilitate casting of votes by the people who are still in relief camps.

The announcement of assembly poll dates in Jharkhand and Jammu and Kashmir has been welcomed by the political parties. BJP spokesperson Nalin Kohli told AIR that his party will fight elections with full strength. He expressed hope that the mandate will be in favour of BJP.

Talking to AIR, Congress spokesperson Shakeel Ahmad said the announcement should be welcomed by all. He also urged the Election Commission to ensure that the flood affected people in Jammu and Kashmir are not put to any difficulties in casting their votes.