The model code of conduct comes into force with the announcement of poll dates by the Election Commission for five states – Uttar Pradesh, Manipur, Punjab, Uttarakhand and Goa. Chief Election Commissioner S Y Quraishi told a news conference in New Delhi that seven-phase polling will be held for the Uttar Pradesh Assembly on the 4th, 8th, 11th, 15th, 19th 23rd and 28th of February.

All other states will have a single phase polling. Manipur will go to the polls on the 28th of January, Punjab and Uttarakhand on the 30th of January and Goa on the 3rd of March. Filing of nominations will begin on the 4th of January in Manipur, a day later in Punjab and Uttarakhand and on the 10th for the first phase of polling in Uttar Pradesh and on the 6th of February in Goa.

Counting of votes for all the five states will take place on the 4th of March.He said the commission has prepared the schedule taking into account all relvant aspects.

Mr. Quraishi said Central Paramilitary Forces besides the state police will be deployed for the smooth conduct of polls.Candidates will have to open a separate bank account to enable the observers to have a close watch on their poll expenses.

The Election Commission has opened for the first time a 24-our toll free call centre number 1950, the year in which the Commission came into being, to register poll-related complaints. The Chief Election Commissioner said every poll going state shall have a complaint redressal mechanism based on a website and call centre.