EC Notification for first phase of Gujarat Assembly polls

The Election Commission (EC) on Saturday issued notification for the first phase of Gujarat Assembly elections for 87 constituencies where voting will be held on 13th December. "The notification for the first phase polls has been issued today," Gujarat Chief Electoral Officer Anita Karwal told reporters, adding that notification for elections to remaining 95 seats (of the total 182) in phase II will be issued on 23rd November. Of the 87 constituencies in the first phase, 48 are in Saurashtra region, 35 in South Gujarat and four in Ahmedabad rural area. The candidates can now file their nomination papers. The last date for filing of nomination forms is 24th November for the first phase. EC to conduct 'preparedness' test for Guj officials In a first, Election Commission of India is conducting a special test for Returning Officers(ROs) from 40 Assembly constituencies in Gujarat to ensure "error free" polls slated for next month. "The purpose behind organising Orientation Finishing Touch Test (OFTT) is to conduct forthcoming elections sans any error," official sources said on Saturday. All returning officers from 40 Assembly constituencies of Central Gujarat will take the test, which will have 30 multi-choice questions, on 19th November at Godhra, around 80 kms from Vadodara, they said. These 40 constituencies fall in the five districts of Vadodara, Kheda, Panchmahal, Dohad and Anand. All District Election Officers (DEOs) have instructed respective ROs to study the rulebook and latest directives of EC thoroughly before appearing for the test that is being conducted for the first time in Gujarat. Deputy Election Commissioner Vinod Zutshi, who is coming on Gujarat visit on 19th November, will hold a high-level meeting with the poll officials from five districts at Godhra. According to sources, Zutshi will review the preparedness for the Assembly elections to be held on 13th and 17th December. Issues like law and order situation, enforcement of Model Code of Conduct, deployment of security forces and electoral staff, vulnerable pockets, complaint monitoring system, implementation of district election monitoring plan, expenditure monitoring are likely to discussed at the meeting, according to sources.