The election process has been set in motion in five states. The model code of conduct came into immediate effect Chief Election Commissioner S Y Quraishi announced a six-phased Assembly poll in West Bengal, a two stage poll in Assam and a single day poll in Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducherry. Counting of votes in all the five states will take place on May 13th. While West Bengal has 294 assembly constituencies, Tamil Nadu has 234, Kerala 140, Puducherry 30 and Assam 126. The Commission had already sent two teams to West Bengal to study the law and order situation. The Chief Election Commissioner said all critical events will be videographed including filing of nominations, scrutiny and allotment of symbols. To curb the menace of money power in elections, an expenditure monitoring division has been set up in the commission manned by senior income tax officials. With announcement of the poll schedule, political parties in Assam have geared up their activities to finalize the lists of the contesting candidates for 126 Assembly seats. The Communist Party of India (CPI) has released its first list of candidates for 22 to contest from the State.