Election dates announced for 5 states

Uttar Pradesh will have assemblyelections in seven phases from February 4 to 28, while Uttarakhand, Manipur,Goa and Punjab will have single-phase elections, the Election Commissionannounced on Saturday.

Counting in all the five states will be held on March 4,Chief Election Commissioner S Y Quraishi said.

UP, with 403 constituencies, will witness polling onFebruary 4, 8, 11, 15, 19, 23 and 28, while neighbouring Uttarakhand (70constituencies) will have polling on January 30.

The polling in 117 constituencies of Punjabwill also be held on January 30.

Manipur (60 constituencies) and Goa(40 constituencies) will have polls on January 28 and March 3 respectively.

The Code of Conduct has come into effect in all the electiongoing states with immediate effect.