“The gap between tenure of two assemblies (Himachal Pradesh and Gujarat) is 40 days. In HP, factors like weather is important, especially in upper reaches where snowing takes place. The commission goes by the convention in elections. We followed the last convention,” said Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar explaining why elections for Gujarat are not being held together with Himachal Pradesh.

“Various factors considered, including convention, gap in qualifying dates, weather,” the poll body said adding that “we do not want entire election process to continue for a very long period.” The EC further said that Model Code of Conduct period has been reduced to 57 days.

“Announcement of multiple state polls leads to longer wait in declaration of results for some,” EC said.

As elections are due in Gujarat to elect 182 members of state Legislative Assembly, Congress is hoping to return to power with AAP emerging as a tough challenger in a state ruled by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) since 1995.

The term of the Gujarat Assembly ends on February 18, 2023. In the 182-seated Gujarat Assembly, there are 111 BJP and 62 Congress MLAs.

Last Assembly elections were held in Gujarat in 2017, where BJP won 99 seats, Congress won 77, NCP got 1 seat while Bhartiya Tribal Party and Independent candidate won 2 and 3 seats respectively.