HP assembly elections is against BJP: Virbhadra Singh

Shimla (Himachal Pradesh) [India], October 12 (ANI): Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh on Thursday said that the upcoming Himachal Pradesh Assembly elections is against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and as the Opposition know their strengths and weaknesses.

"The election is mainly against the BJP and we know their strengths and weaknesses. They are relying on the performance of Prime Minister Modi. We are self reliant and will focus on the development of the state," he told ANI.

The Election Commission of India (ECI) today announced that Himachal Pradesh Assembly elections will be held on November 9.

Addressing a press conference here, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) of India Achal Kumar Jyoti said, "Himachal Pradesh assembly elections will be held on November 9 and counting of votes will be held on December 18."

Model code of conduct for Himachal Pradesh assembly election comes into effect from now itself, said the CEC.

The term of the 68-member Himachal Pradesh Assembly ends on January 7, 2018.

The Election Commission has also taken few steps to conduct free and fair elections.

The Election Commission has now increased the screen size of VVPAT (voter verified paper audit trail) machines and announced VVPAT and along with Electronic Voting Machines (EVM) will be used to conduct elections.

"The Election Commission has increased the size of screen on VVPAT (Voter Verified Paper Audit Trail) machines to 10 cm by 5.6 cm for the voters to able to verify their vote easily. The height of voting compartments will be increased to 30 inches," said CEC Jyoti.

He further added that for the first time Himachal Pradesh will have 136 all women managed booths.

The Election Commission has also changed election advertisement criteria.

"Bulk SMSes and voice messages on phone shall also be in purview of election advertisements," said CEC Jyoti. (ANI)