Bhopal: In a news conference, Madhya Pradesh State Election Commissioner Basant Pratap Singh said that when the state was about to hold panchayat elections, the second wave of corona arrived, and the elections could not be held. He will ensure that the Corona guidelines are followed throughout the elections this time as well. In Madhya Pradesh, he added, elections will be held for Zilla Panchayat, 313 Janpad Panchayat, 22581 Gram Panchayat Sarpanch, and 3 lakh 62 thousand Panch in 52 districts. There will be three phases to the elections. Because of the limited number of EVMs available, polls will be held in three stages. 9 districts will be chosen in the first phase, 7 districts will be chosen in the second phase, and the remaining 36 districts will be chosen in the third phase. Polling timings will be from 7 am to 3 pm at all the centres. Elections will be executed through 55 thousand EVMs. Election of Panch and Sarpanch will be done by ballot paper, Janpad and Zilla Panchayat elections will be done by EVM.
The model code of conduct would be applied in Madhya Pradesh as soon as the poll is called, according to the Election Commissioner. This will be in effect until the election is over. During elections, permission from the competent government is required for processions and demonstrations. Online enrollment will be available as well, with a paper copy required to be submitted.