Lok Sabha poll dates could be announced TODAY or TOMORROW?

NEW DELHI: Sources said the dates and schedule for the Lok Sabha polls are likely to be announced by Friday this week. The Election Commission’s observers’ briefing meeting for the general election was completed two days earlier in Delhi. The day-long briefing was aimed at streamlining strategy to ensure the implementation of the model code of conduct for the general elections to be held in April-May.

Election Commission of India (ECI) sources told this website that the poll schedule could be announced anytime in the next two to four days and the Code of Conduct would come into force immediately.

One ECI source even claimed that the announcement would be made tomorrow (15th March), while another source said the announcement would be made on Saturday or Sunday evening (16 or 17th March).

This would also throw a spanner into the finale of the Rahul Gandhi-led Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, which is expected to wind up on 16th March in Mumbai with a mega rally on Sunday, 17th March at Shivaji Park attended by all the MVA constituents, including the Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), NCP (Sharad Pawar) and their allies.

Either way, the ECI could make the poll announcement and schedule public anytime between the 15th March to the 17th March, unless of course something drastic comes up. Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir may also be announced simultaneously and may be held along with the nationwide Lok Sabha polls.

In December last year, the Supreme Court while hearing several petitions regarding Article 370, upheld the Centre’s decision to scrap Article 370 but asked the government to conduct elections in the assembly by September 30, 2024. Months before this, the Centre in August had told the SC that polls in Jammu and Kashmir could be held “anytime from now” as the work on the updation of the voters list was almost over.

Two additional Election Commissioners are expected to be appointed in the next 2-3 days, which will bring the strength of the Election Commission to three.