Assembly election 2023 schedule for Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Telangana, Mizoram, Chhattisgarh announced. Check dates

Assembly Elections Schedule: The Election Commission of India on Monday announced election schedule for five states, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Telangana, Mizoram, and Chhattisgarh. The elections in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Telangana, and Mizoram will be held in single phase while polling in Chhattisgarh will be held in two phases.

The voting will be held in Mizoram, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh (Phase 1) on 7 November; Chhattisgarh phase 2 on 17 November; Rajasthan on November 23; Telangana on November 30. The counting of votes will be held on 3 December.

According to the Election Commission, there are 16.14 crore voters in these five states. Mizoram has 8.52 lakh, Chhattisgarh 2.03 crore, Madhya Pradesh 5.6 crore, Rajasthan 16.14 crores, Telangana 3.17 crores. The Commission also informed that there are 8.2 crore male voters while 7.8 crore voters are females.

"Out of the 8.52 lakh voters in Mizoram, 4.13 lakh voters are male and 4.39 lakh are female. In Chhattisgarh, there are 1.01 crore male voters while 1.02 crore are female. Madhya Pradesh has 2.88 crore male voters and 2.72 crore female voters. For Rajasthan, there are 2.73 crore male voters and 2.52 crore female voters. In Telangana, there are 1.58 crore male voters and 1.58 crore female voters," according to the data released by EC.

Around 60 lakh first time voters between 18-19 years will participate in elections of the five states. “To inspire young voters, over 2900 polling stations will be managed by youth,” EC said. Of the 60.2 lakh first-time voters in five states, 50,611 are first-time voters in Mizoram with 7.23 lakh in Chhattisgarh, 22.36 lakh in Madhya Pradesh, 22.04 lakh in Rajasthan 8.11 lakh in Telangana. 

There are 17.34 lakh Persons with a disability (PWD) voters in 5 states. EC informed that 100 per cent enrollment has been achieved in Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups in four states of Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Telangana. 

EC also said that there is an improved Electoral Roll Gender Ratio in all five states in comparison to the previous assembly elections in 2018.

According to the polling body, a total of 1.77 lakh polling stations will be set up out of which 1.01 lakhs will have the webcasting facility. "Also 17,734 model polling stations will be set up," the release said.

EC further mentioned that a polling station has been set up at the Chhattisgarh-Odisha border which will save 8 Km of travel for villagers. Similarly a polling booth has been set up in Mamjohli, Barmer specifically for 49 voters in the area.

On the occasion, the C Vigil app was also launched. "It will allow anyone in the election-bound state to report violations of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) that comes into effect from today. Citizens can immediately report incidents of misconduct within minutes of having witnessed them," EC said.

"Single App for recording, reporting, and resolving violations. GIS location is captured with response in the 100-minute timeline. If the citizen wants, need not give his name and remain anonymous," EC said.

CEC Rajiv Kumar added “Polls in the 5 states hold a unique significance as they serve as the final assembly elections before the grand stage of the National Elections in 2024.” He further ensured that ECI will ensure free, fair and inducement free elections in these five states.

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Of the 5 states, Madhya Pradesh is currently being governed by the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) while Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh is being governed by the Congress party whereas Telangana by Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS). Mizoram is currently governed by Mizo National Front (MNF).

The tenure of Madhya Pradesh, Telangana, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh Legislative Assemblies ends in January 2024 while that of Mizoram ends in December this year.

The elections to five states are crucial as they are being held months before the Lok Sabha elections in April-May next year.

Congress and BJP are the key players in Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. Telangana is expected to witness a triangular contest between the ruling Bharat Rashtra Samithi, Congress and BJP.