New Delhi [India], March 16 (ANI): Following the announcement of the election schedule for five states, Congress MP K.C. Venugopal on Monday criticised the Election Commission of India, arguing that the dates could have been announced earlier for the polls. He further alleged that the ECI is exhibiting a biased attitude towards opposition parties.

Speaking to reporters, the Congress MP expressed confidence in the upcoming election results.

'We are fully prepared, we are going to win the elections... You can see how the Election Commission has set the dates. The first phase of elections is on the 9th, nominations are due until the 23rd, scrutiny is on the 24th, nominations can be withdrawn until the 26th, and after that, there are 11 days for campaigning. As for Kerala, there is Easter and Good Friday in the first week...The Election Commission could have announced the dates earlier... The counting date is on May 4th, so what was the point of holding elections in Kerala so early? What is their intention behind holding elections on the same day in Kerala, Puducherry, and Assam?... We are confident that we will win, but the people of the country are seeing the biased attitude of the Election Commission...' said Venugopal.

Earlier, the Election Commission of India announced the schedule for Assembly polls for Kerala, Assam, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal. As per the announcement, the assembly elections will commence from April 9.

Polling in Assam, Kerala and Puducherry will be held on April 9 in a single phase. While in West Bengal, the first phase of voting is scheduled for April 23, followed by the second phase on April 29. Tamil Nadu will hold its elections on April 23 in a single phase. Counting of votes for all five states and UTs is scheduled for May 4.

Addressing a press conference in the national capital, the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar termed the assembly polls a 'festival of pride' and urged first-time voters to participate enthusiastically.

The CEC made a special appeal to young and first-time voters, saying, 'My dear friends, you are about to step into one of the most important responsibilities of your life, exercising your democratic right, the right to vote. I urge you to participate enthusiastically in this great democratic exercise and cast your vote with pride, responsibility and confidence. Your vote is your choice in shaping the future of your state and the nation. (ANI)