The election begul has been blown. The dates for the key state-level elections are finally out.

The Election Commission of India (ECI) announced the poll dates that will decide the fate of five state governments. This state-level polls will also be a precursor of things to come in the 2014 general elections.

Chief Election Commissioner V.S Sampath announced election dates for the states of Chhattisgarh, Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Mizoram, and Rajasthan that will be held between November 11 to December 4.The poll results will be declared on December 8.

Chhattisgarh  will vote in two phases - the first voting will take place on November 11 and the second on November 19

Madhya Pradesh will vote on November 25 and Rajasthan  on December 1.

Delhi and Mizoram will go to polls on December 4.

Sampath assured that all adequate steps will be taken to educate voters on the “none of the above option” (NOTA)  that will be introduced for the first time in electronic voting machines, following Supreme Court ruling of September 27.

He also reassured that strict measures will be taken to ensure fair polling across these five states account for over 11 crore of the electorate. Media committees will be put-up at state level to keep around the clock check on news and extensive security arrangements will be made. Voting will take place across1.30 lakh polling stations across these five states.

AW: Suchorita Dutta Choudhury