New Delhi: The Election Commission of India on Friday announced the election schedule for Himachal Pradesh, but not Gujarat assembly as was expected.
Like Himachal, election is also due in Gujarat early next year. Interest on the ensuing polls in Gujarat, a year ahead of the next general elections, is much more given the fact that it is PM Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah’s home turf.
Explaining why dates for Gujarat elections have been kept on hold, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar said the commission simply followed precedence.
The term of Gujarat assembly ends on February 18, 2023, while that of Himachal assembly more than a month earlier — on January 8, 2023.
“There is a gap of 40 days between the end of the assemblies of the two states. According to the rules, it should be at least 30 days so that one result doesn’t impact the other,” the CEC said at a press conference on Friday.
The CEC added that the weather in Himachal Pradesh was another reason for announcing election in the hill state first.
“There are a number of factors, such as weather. We want to hold the Himachal elections before the onset of snow, especially in the upper reaches where snowing takes place… The EC followed convention last followed in announcing polls,” Kumar explained.
Polling in Himachal will be held in a single phase, on November 12, with counting of votes on December 8.
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