Imphal, April 04 2010: The State Government has reaffirmed its decision to hold Autonomous District Council elections in two phases next month.

The Principal Secretary (Hills) has also approved the election schedule prepared by the State Election Commission.

The ADC polls will be held in two phases on May 17 and May 24, informed a reliable source.

As per proposal put up by the State Election Commission on March 30, notification for the polls would be issued on April 15 and April 22 .

Churachandpur, Chandel and Sadar Hills would go to polls in the first phase, followed by Ukhrul, Tamenglong and Senapati in the second phase.

Filing of nomination papers for the first phase would start from April 22 and scrutiny will be done on April 24 .

The last date of withdrawal of nomination forms has been fixed on April 26 .

For the second phase, nomination papers can be filed from April 29 onward.

Scrutiny will be done on April 30.The last date of withdrawal of nomination papers for the second phase is May 3 .

Counting of votes will begin from May 28 and all the election processes will be completed on June 5 .

It is reported that ballot papers will be used for the ADC polls.

Compilation of electoral rolls and identification of polling stations have been completed.

To ensure free and smooth conduct of the polls, official meetings have been held at different levels.

Altogether 144 ADC Members will be elected through the scheduled elections while two members will be nominated by the Government from each Council.

The Home Department has already started estimating the number of security personnel that would be needed for the elections.

The Autonomous District Council elections are being held in the State after a gap of more than 20 years.