Speaking to mediapersons here on Sunday, chief election commissioner MS Gill said, "The model code of conduct comes into practice from today." It will be applicable not only to the Centre but also to all state governments, he said.

As many as 146 seats in 16 states and union territories (UTs) will go to the polls on September 4; 124 in nine states and UTs on September 11; 79 in five states and UTs on September 17; 72 in eight states and union territories on September 24; and 122 in ten states and UTs on October 1.

In Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Jammu & Kashmir, Madhya Pradesh and UP, the polls will be held in three days; in Karnataka, Maharashtra, Manipur, Orissa, Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu, in two days; and in all other states and UTs, in one day.

Counting of votes will take place on October 5 and isexpected to be completed by the next day.

"No new political party will registered from now on," Gill said. Since the tenure of assembly constituencies in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Sikkim will expire within six months, the commission has decided to hold elections for new assemblies for these states along with the general elections, he said.

Further, there are a few casual vacancies in some legislative assemblies. The commission has decided "in principle" to hold bye-elections to these constituencies also with the same schedule for the relevant parliamentary constituency, Gill said. For the polls on September 1, the notification will be issued on August 11, the last date for filing nominations will be August 18, the scrutiny of nominations will take place on August 19, and the last date for withdrawal of candidature will be August 21.For the elections on September 11, the notifications will be issued on August 12 and 17.