Indian Independent election watchdog has faced criticism for not announcing Gujarat poll dates along with the schedule for Himachal Pradesh earlier this month.

The vote is seen as a barometer of support for Prime Minister Narendra Modi at a time when a sputtering economy has handed the opposition Congress party a possible opening to regain political ground.

Opposition parties allege that this helped the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to sidestep rules and offer incentives to voters in Gujarat.

After five visits by Modi and numerous soaps announced by BJP state and central government EC finally has come out with poll dates to be made in two phases :

Phase I : 9-Dec-2017
Phase II : 14-Dec -2017
Counting of Votes : 18-Dec -2017

Now with the date of announcement finally been made Model code of conduct comes into effect immediately, and Model code of conduct also covers the Union government, says EC.

Total number of electors is 4.33 crore. Photo rolls updates to 99%, says EC.50,128 polling booths will be set up said AK Joti Chief Election Commissioner.

VVPAT, along with EVM, will be there., Slips generated by VVPAT machine will be randomly selected and counted confirmed EC.

Polling stations with 100% women personnel will be there in all 102 women polling stations added EC.

The electoral body also said the expenditure per candidate is set at Rs. 28 lakhs. It also said candidates must declare expenditures within 30 days of polls.