NEW DELHI: Himachal Pradesh will go to polls on November 12 while Gujarat’s poll schedule will be declared a few weeks later, the Election Commission of India said on Friday. Counting of votes in Himachal Pradesh will take place on December 8.
While Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar cited the precedent of the last elections to the two states for not making simultaneous announcements, opposition parties alleged deliberate delay in Gujarat’s poll schedule to allow the incumbent government to roll out more welfare schemes before the model code of conduct kicks in.
In 2017, Assembly polls in Himachal Pradesh and Gujarat were not announced at the same time but counting took place together on December 18. In states like Himachal Pradesh, weather is an important factor, especially in the upper reaches of the constituencies where snowing takes place.
“The Commission... decided to go by the convention last followed. In any case, with reparations and conduct of elections is a very detailed exercise and it takes into account various, variable factors; consultation with all stakeholders and the factors which are competitive,” Kumar said. Asked if counting of votes for Gujarat would be held along with Himachal Pradesh on December 8, Kumar ducked it, saying, “When we come for Gujarat (poll schedule), we will tell you this.”
In his scathing attack, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said, “Obviously, this has been done to give more time to the PM to make some mega promises and carry out more inaugurations. Not at all surprising.” Elections in five states UP, Uttarakhand, Manipur, Goa and Punjab were clubbed though the gap in tenure of their respective assemblies was 60 days. The Himachal-Gujarat gap is 40 days.
Over 55 lakh voters in 68 constituencies
In Himachal Pradesh, nomination papers for its 68 seats can be filed between October 17 and 25. The last date for withdrawal is October 27. Over 55 lakh people can cast their votes