Phased polls in 3 states to begin on Feb 3

Laloo Prasad Yadav’s RJD in Bihar and Arjun Munda’s BJP government in Jharkhand will face their big tests in the next two phases—February 15 and February 23.

‘‘Counting of votes in all the states will be taken up on February 27,’’ Chief Election Commissioner T S Krishnamurthy told reporters today.

‘‘Polling in the critical and extremist-infested areas (in Bihar and Jharkhand) will be held in the first phase,’’ he said, without giving any specifics.

According to EC officials, forces would be ‘‘doubled’’ this time, compared to the Lok Sabha elections early this year.

On the deployment of Central para-military forces, Krishnamurthy said the the EC has already held meetings with the Home Ministry: ‘‘We are satisfied with the availability of security forces. It is absolutely adequate.’’

Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) will be deployed in all the three states and the model code of conduct for political parties will come into force with immediate effect, said Krishnamurthy.

‘‘The code will apply to the state governments of Bihar, Jharkhand and Haryana and will be applicable to all political parties and the Central Government as well,’’ he said, adding that the Governors of Haryana, Bihar and Jharkhand will issue poll notifications on January 10, January 20 and January 29, respectively.

The last dates for filing nominations for the three stages will be January 17, January 27 and February 5, respectively, while scrutiny of nominations will be held on January 18, January 28 and February 7, the Election Commission said.

The last date for withdrawing candidatures will be January 20, January 31 and February 9, respectively, he said.

‘‘The election process will be complete by March 5,’’ said Krishnamurthy.

For the first time ever, the EC will have a general observer in each Assembly constituency and at least one expenditure observer in each district to supervise conduct of polls, he said.

‘‘We want the political parties to be more disciplined,’’ he added.

The state governments, the CEC said, have also been asked to transfer all officers who were charged or transferred for any misconduct or lapse while performing poll-related duties earlier.

In another departure from established practice, Krishnamurthy said, ‘‘No photography or videography will be allowed inside the polling booth and in the area where voters cast their votes.’’

The terms of the Bihar and Jharkhand Assemblies are scheduled to expire on March 6 and in Haryana on March 8.

Interestingly, this will be the first Assembly elections in Jharkhand since it was declared a state in 2000.