Lok Sabha election dates announced

Chief Election Commissioner N Gopalaswami announced the dates for the Lok Sabha elections, stating that they would be held in five phases, between April 16 and June 1, 2009. The new Lok Sabha would be constituted by June 2.He added that the model code of conduct applicable to all political parties starts with immediate effect and no applications for formation of new political parties will be processed by the commission for the coming elections.
The schedule of elections is given below:
• J&K, Uttar Pradesh to have 5 phases of elections
• Four phases in Bihar
• Three phases each in Maharashtra and West Bengal
• Two phases in Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand, Assam, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Manipur, Orissa and Punjab
The remaining sates and Union territories will have a single phase of elections
The election dates are as under:
• 124 consitituencies go to polls on April 16
• 141 consitituencies go to polls on April 23
• 107 consitituencies go to polls on April 30
• 85 consitituencies go to polls on May 7
• 86 consitituencies go to polls on May 13
Counting begins on May 16.