Urban local bodies in Uttar Pradesh are all set to go to polls in May this year. The polls will be held in two phases with the counting to be held on May 13. This time Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) will be used for voting mayors and corporators. Elections to the rest of the posts of Nagar Palika Parishad and Nagar Panchayats will be held through ballot paper
What the State Election Commission said?
State Election Commission if Uttar Pradesh announces the local body elections in the state. State Election Commissioner Manoj Kumar said, “The notification for the next Urban Local Body Polls is being issued, according to which the polling in 760 local bodies will take place.” He went on to add that the first phase polling will be conducted on May 4 while the second will be held on May 11. The commissioner also announced the entry into force of the Model Code of Conduct across the state.
Crunching Numbers
Elections to 14,864 across 760 local bodies will be held in the state. The number of local bodies this time has gone up by 107 as compared to 2017 while the number of posts has increased by 2,024. Around 4.32 crore voters are expected to exercise their right to vote in these elections. Number of voters too has increased by a huge 96.33 lakhs.
Timeline
For the first phase, nominations will commence from April 11 and the window for filing nominations will remain open until April 17. Papers will be verified and scrutinized on April 18. Candidates will be allowed to withdraw nominations until April 20. For the second phase the window for filing nominations will remain open from April 17 to April 24.
What others said?
BSP supremo Maywati alleged that the rules have been neglected while reserving seats for OBCs, SCs and STs. This was done with a view to advantage BJP in the Lok Sabha elections next year.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on the other hand urged voters to come out in large numbers and help make a “triple-engine” government with the BJP at the center, state and municipal corporations.