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EC to announce poll dates by mid-week
New Delhi, Feb 22: The Election Commission is likely to announce the four-phase poll schedule by the middle of this week as it has completed consultations with all parties concerned and is ``fine tuning`` the arrangements.
New Delhi, Feb 22: The Election Commission is likely to announce the four-phase poll schedule by the middle of this week as it has completed consultations with all parties concerned and is ''fine tuning'' the arrangements.
The three-member commission is likely to meet on Wednesday or Thursday to decide on the poll dates.
''Election dates may be announced mid-week,'' a senior official of the Election Commission said and added that Chief Election Commissioner T S Krishanmurthy would be in Jaipur on Monday to oversee poll preparations in the state.
The commission, which is getting inputs from the Central as well as state governments, will work out modalities and finalise the schedule after getting feedback from the states about the school examinations, harvesting season and important festivals in different states.
Security requirements for all states are being finalised and before the formal announcements of poll dates, the three-member commission will again meet with the Home Secretary.
As per the electoral laws, a minimum of three weeks is needed between announcement of poll-dates and the first phase of notification. A week's time is needed to invite nominations while another two weeks are required for the campaign before the polling.
The poll panel, in the past week, has consulted with Chief Secretaries, Directors General of Police, Chief Electoral Officers (CEOs) and state Home Secretaries and asked them to put in place all arrangements.
It directed that vacancies for polling staff including returning officers and police officials be filled and that the model code of conduct, which will come into force soon after the announcements of poll dates, be adhered to by everyone.
All violations should be reported to it immediately, the commission has told top state governments officials.
Bureau Report
''Election dates may be announced mid-week,'' a senior official of the Election Commission said and added that Chief Election Commissioner T S Krishanmurthy would be in Jaipur on Monday to oversee poll preparations in the state.
The commission, which is getting inputs from the Central as well as state governments, will work out modalities and finalise the schedule after getting feedback from the states about the school examinations, harvesting season and important festivals in different states.
Security requirements for all states are being finalised and before the formal announcements of poll dates, the three-member commission will again meet with the Home Secretary.
As per the electoral laws, a minimum of three weeks is needed between announcement of poll-dates and the first phase of notification. A week's time is needed to invite nominations while another two weeks are required for the campaign before the polling.
The poll panel, in the past week, has consulted with Chief Secretaries, Directors General of Police, Chief Electoral Officers (CEOs) and state Home Secretaries and asked them to put in place all arrangements.
It directed that vacancies for polling staff including returning officers and police officials be filled and that the model code of conduct, which will come into force soon after the announcements of poll dates, be adhered to by everyone.
All violations should be reported to it immediately, the commission has told top state governments officials.
Bureau Report