In the midst of escalating political controversies and dramas gripping the nation, it is reported that the Election Commission of India (ECI) is likely to announce the poll schedule after 9 March.
It is expected that the 18th Lok Sabha election is expected to occur in April and May. According to insider reports cited by News18.com, the top brass of the ECI has been conducting final checks with representatives dispatched to various states in preparation for the electoral process.
The report also said that ECI representatives are slated to engage with government officials between 8-9 March. Their objective: to assess the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir and ascertain the availability of forces, pivotal factors influencing the timing and logistics of the elections.
Furthermore, the ECI delegation is scheduled to visit Jammu & Kashmir on 12-13 March to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the ground realities. The purpose of this visit is to determine the feasibility of holding Assembly polls in the Union Territory concurrently with the Lok Sabha elections. The decision, as per sources quoted in the report, hinges upon the availability of adequate security forces.
In the previous electoral cycle of 2019, the announcement of the Lok Sabha election schedule transpired on 10 March. Subsequently, the polling process were held in seven phases spanning from 11 April to 19 May. The culmination came with the counting of votes on 23 May.