Poll dates for five states are to be announced today. The states are Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Goa and Manipur. The Election Commission will announce poll dates for the Assembly elections to be held next year in these five states at 4.30 today evening.

The schedule for the elections was finalised by the Election Commission after assessing the availability of paramilitary forces from the government. Around 80,000 para-military personnel, apart from state policemen, are expected to be deployed during the assembly polls. All eyes are especially on battleground UP, while Mayawati is trying to save her turf, Mulayam Singh Yadav is fighting to reclaim it and Rahul Gandhi has upped the ante by clearing 4.5% minority quota.