Elections in five states after ‘Budget on Feb 1’

New Delhi, October 23

Uttar Pradesh, which is set to witness game-changer elections, and four other states will go to the polls simultaneously, most likely in February-March next year, shortly after the presentation of the Union Budget on February 1.

While it will be single-day polling in Punjab, Goa, Uttarakhand and Manipur, UP is likely to have seven phases, according to sources in the Election Commission.

As a matter of precaution, the government approached the EC for clearing its proposal to present the Union Budget on February 1 so as to avoid criticism of violating the model code of conduct that will come into force the day elections are announced.

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Sources said the EC had no objection to the Budget exercise because it would cover the entire country and not only the poll-bound states.

It has been conveyed to the government that caution should be exercised so overtly populist measures are not included in the Budget aimed at voters in these states.

While the term of the Uttar Pradesh Assembly ends on May 27, 2017, those of Goa, Manipur and Punjab will end on March 18. The Uttarakhand Assembly’s term will end on March 27. — PTI