New Delhi, Jan 8: The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Saturday announced the dates for assembly polls in five states – Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Goa, Punjab, and Manipur.

While the term of the current Uttar Pradesh Assembly is ending in May, those of the other four assemblies are ending on different dates in March.

Chief Election Commissioner Sushil Chandra said basic preparations were taken to ensure Covid-safe election, hassle-free voter experience and maximum voters participation. The commission visited poll-bound states to review preparations and has been working to ensure Covid-free elections. “We also held meeting with health officials of the states which are going to polls,” he said.

Important dates phase-wise

All elections in five states will be completed in seven phases.

In the first phase, the first date of issuing of notification will start on 14 January in Uttar Pradesh. The date of polling is 10 February.

In the second phase, elections for Uttarakhand and Goa will be completed in one single phase. Issuing of notification will be on 21 January and the poll date is on 14 February. UP elections will also continue in the second phase.

The third phase of UP elections will be held on 20 February.

The fourth phase of UP elections will be held on 23 February.

In the fifth phase, both Uttar Pradesh and Manipur will go for polling on February 27.

In the sixth phase, Uttar Pradesh and Manipur will go for polling on March 3.

In the seventh phase, Uttar Pradesh will go for polling on March 7.

The results of all seven states will be out on March 10.

A total of 690 Assembly constituencies in Goa, Manipur, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Punjab will go to polls this time.

Elections to be held for 403 assembly seats in UP, 117 in Punjab, 70 in Uttarakhand 60 in Manipur and 40 in Goa.