Following the announcement of the Assembly election schedule by the Election Commission of India, Badruddin Ajmal, president of the All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF), on March 15 called on opposition parties across the country to unite against the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party.
Responding to the poll timetable, Ajmal said his party welcomes the announcement made by the election authority. However, he stressed that the entire electoral process must be conducted in a fair and impartial manner. He pointed out that the credibility of democracy depends on transparency and neutrality in the management of elections.
The AIUDF chief further stated that it is essential for the election machinery to ensure equal treatment for all political parties during the campaign period. According to him, the democratic system must function without bias so that every party can contest the polls on a level playing field.
Ajmal also underlined that maintaining administrative neutrality and strengthening governance during the election period should remain a key priority for the authorities responsible for conducting the polls. He said that fairness in the process is vital for sustaining public trust in the democratic system.
On the political front, Ajmal urged non-BJP parties to put aside their differences and coordinate their efforts against the ruling party. He argued that a united opposition would be better positioned to mount a strong challenge in the elections.
Meanwhile, the Election Commission of India has announced Assembly elections in several regions, including Assam, West Bengal, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu, along with the Union Territory of Puducherry.
According to the schedule, polling in West Bengal will take place in two phases on April 23 and April 29. Voting in Assam, Kerala, and Puducherry will be held in a single phase on April 9, while Tamil Nadu will go to the polls on April 23. The counting of votes for all five regions will take place on May 4.
Overall, the election process will cover 824 Assembly constituencies across the five regions. Officials estimate that about 17.4 crore voters will take part in the democratic exercise. To facilitate voting, around 2.19 lakh polling stations will be set up, with nearly 25 lakh officials and security personnel deployed to ensure the smooth conduct of the elections.
