The union home ministry has informed the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) that it cannot make security arrangements for the Indian Premier League (IPL) due the general elections to be held in April-May.
"Due to the general elections, it would not be possible to spare the kind of force which is required. They have to look for an alternate venue," a home ministry spokesperson told ESPNcricinfo.
The BCCI announced earlier that South Africa was one of the options if the tournament is not to be held in India. The second edition of the IPL in 2009 was also held in South Africa.
It is also a possibility that the event returns to India after the elections.
The final decision is likely to be taken at the IPL governing council meeting Feb 28 at Bhubaneswar, Odisha.
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