New Delhi : The Election Commission of India on Saturday announced the dates for the assembly elections in Goa, Punjab, Manipur, Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh.

UP will go to polls in seven phases from February 10 to March 7, Punjab, Uttarakhand and Goa will vote in a single phase on February 14. Manipur in two phases on Feb 27 and March 3. The counting of votes will be held on March 10.

Elections will be held for 403 assembly seats in UP, 117 in Punjab, 70 in Uttarakhand 60 in Manipur and 40 in Goa, said Chief Election Commissioner Sushil Chandra.

No roadshows, padyatras, cycle or bike rallies and processions shall be allowed till 15th January in view of Covid situation. The situation will be reviewed and fresh instructions to be issued later, Central Election Commission (CEC) said. He also said that the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) comes into effect immediately from announcement of the schedules.

It is mandatory for political parties to upload on their website detailed information regarding individuals with pending criminal cases selected as poll candidates and as to why this particular candidate was selected, CEC said.

The commission has aimed to conduct Covid-safe elections in five states with maximum voter participation with extensive preparations. All polling stations will be equipped with Covid-mitigation facilities including sanitisers and masks; Also the number of booths have been increased,” he added.