NEW DELHI,Oct 15,2022: The Election Commission on Friday announced assembly elections in Himachal Pradesh on November 12, but the poll panel, following the precedent set by its predecessors in 2017 and with a view to curtailing the period of the Model Code of Conduct so that it does not hinder policy decisions and governance, put in abeyance announcement of polls in Gujarat.
Though the Himachal assembly’s term expires on January 8, 2023, EC, keeping in mind the onset of snow in higher reaches of the state around mid-November and the logistical problems it could entail, decided to bring polling forward to November 12, even as counting of votes will be taken up on December 8.
The four-week gap in Himachal polling and counting is a clear indication that Gujarat assembly polls will be announced in a week or two.
Assembly polls in Gujarat will be announced soon, with voting likely to be held in one or two phases and completed by December 4, followed by counting alongside Himachal, Election Commission sources indicated.
Though the term of the current Gujarat assembly expires only on February 18 next year, polls in the state will be held earlier to avoid any impact of Himachal results on level-playing field, they said.
