This Election Features Polling Places run Entirely by Women: EC on Upcoming Assembly Elections

By: WE Staff | Saturday, 15 October 2022

The Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh Assembly elections: election timetable was announced at a press conference by the Election Commission of India. The EC commissioner declares at the press conference, "We are dedicated to holding free and fair elections.

He continued, "We are working to improve voter turnout and we also work to promote women's emancipation through elections." Himachal Pradesh will vote on November 12 and results will be made public on December 8, according to the electoral commission.

Gujarat's Assembly term expires on February 18 of the following year, whereas Himachal Pradesh's does on January 8 of 2023. The Commission recently travelled to the two states to assess election readiness.

The election commission also advised the public to exercise caution and report any unethical behaviour. The panel affirmed that action would be taken within an hour of receiving a report of any malpractice.

The transfer of cash will not be permitted after 5 o'clock, according to the Election Commission, which stated that it has decided after consulting with law enforcement authorities.

Gujarat elections, which take place in his home state and serve as a prelude to the general elections of 2024, are viewed as a semi-final. To regain control of the state, the BJP has been leading a "Gaurav Yatra" under the direction of its top leadership.

Notably, the saffron party has so far benefited from the "Gaurav Yatra." After the communal riots and before the 2002 state Assembly elections, Gujarat's then-chief minister Narendra Modi organised the first "Yatra," which was successful in helping the saffron party win the polls. In 2017, the second "Gaurav Yatra" was planned in advance of the state elections. The BJP has won 127 of the 182 seats in 2002. In 2017, the opposition Congress won 77 seats against the saffron party's 99.

As a result of the ongoing "Bharat Jodo Yatra" and the election of a new president after nearly 20 years, Congress, on the other hand, is optimistic about a renaissance in the state.

The third candidate, the Arvind Kejriwal-led AAP, likewise asserts that it would vigorously challenge the state's conventional parties.