In view of the politically violent atmosphere that prevails in West Bengal, due both to political rivalry and Maoist activities, the Election Commission on Tuesday announced a six-phase election schedule for the state. Of the other three states and one Union territory which will go to the polls to elect new Assemblies, Assam will have voting over two days while Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducherry will have single-day polling.

Counting of votes for all areas will be on May 13.
Union home minister P. Chidambaram on Tuesday expressed dissatisfaction over the law and order situation in West Bengal, and announced that 100 companies of Central paramilitary forces, comprising 10,000 personnel, will be sent to that state to ensure adequate security during the polls and to ensure that a free and fair vote could be held. Addressing a press conference, Mr Chidambaram said “inter-party” clashes continues to take place regularly in the Marxist bastion and it was the responsibility of the state’s Left Front government to tackle the situation. Responding to a question on promises made by UPA ally and Trinamul Congress chief Mamata Banerjee if she wins the coming polls, Mr Chidambaram said in a lighter vein: “I have not seen the comments (made by Ms Banerjee) ... but I wish she comes to power.”
Addressing a press conference, chief election commissioner S.Y. Quraishi, flanked by fellow commissioners V.S. Sampath and H.S. Brahma, announced the schedule for the five poll-bound states here on Tuesday evening.
West Bengal will hold polls on April 18, 23, 27, and May 3, 7 and 10. Assam will go to the polls on April 4 and 11, while voting will take place in Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducherry on April 13.
On West Bengal, the CEC said the decision to go in for a six-phase election was taken after taking into account “ground realities”. The CEC added that the government had promised an adequate number of forces for the conduct of free and fair polls.
This also will be the first election in the country in which Indians living abroad will be allowed to exercise their franchise in person. The CEC said instructions have been given to officials to facilitate their voting.
With regard to polling stations, 54,016 will be made available in Tamil Nadu, 51,919 in West Bengal, 23,813 in Assam, 20,758 in Kerala and 851 in Puducherry. West Bengal has 294 assembly constituencies, Tamil Nadu 234, Kerala 140, Assam 126 and Puducherry 30.
Among the five poll-bound states/UTs, West Bengal has the largest electorate — 5.60 crores; followed by Tamil Nadu — 4.59 crores; Kerala — 2.29 crores; and Assam — 1.81 crore. Puducherry has an electorate of just eight lakhs.
The notification for the Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducherry polls will be issued on March 19. The last date for filing nominations will be March 26. Scrutiny will be done on March 28, and the last date for withdrawal will be March 30.
For Assam, the notifications for the first phase will be on March 10, the last date for nominations March 17, scrutiny the following day, and the last date for withdrawal March 21. The date of poll will April 4. For the second phase, the notification will be issued on March 18, the last date for nominations March 25, scrutiny the next day, and the last date for withdrawal March 28. Polling will be on April 11.
In West Bengal, the notification for the first phase will be issued on March 24. The last date for nominations will be March 31. Scrutiny will take place on April 2. The last date for withdrawal is April 4. Polling will be on April 18.
n Second phase: Notification March 30; last date for nominations April 6; scrutiny April 7; last date for withdrawal April 9. Polling on April 23.
n Third phase: Notification April 2; last date for nominations April 9; scrutiny April 11; last date for withdrawal April 13. Polling on April 27.
n Fourth phase: Notification April 7; last date for nominations April 14; scrutiny April 16; last date for withdrawal April 18. Polling on May 3.
n Fifth phase: Notification April 11; last date for nominations April18; scrutiny April 19; last date for withdrawal April 21. Polling on May 7.
n Sixth phase: Notification April 14; last date for nominations April 21; scrutiny April 23, last date for withdrawal April 25. Polling on May 10.
Electronic voting machines will be used in all areas. Critical events will be videographed, including filing of nominations, scrutiny and allotment of symbols. Digital cameras will be used to monitor all polling booths and counting centres.
With the announcement of the poll schedule, the EC’s model code of conduct is automatically in force in all states/UTs going to the polls. It will also be applicable to the Centre in relation to all activities related to these states/UTs.