EC to visit Kerala this week to review poll preparedness

As part of its review of election preparedness in poll-bound states, the Election Commission will visit Kerala from February 3 to 5 to interact with officers of the state administration and other stakeholders, including political parties.
The three Election Commissioners, along with other senior officers of the poll panel, are also likely to visit Tamil Nadu and Puducherry next week for three days, sources said.
Assembly elections are likely be held in West Bengal, Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry in April-May. The EC has already visited West Bengal and Assam to take stock of poll preparedness in the two states.

While the term of assemblies in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal is coming to an end in May, the tenure of those in Kerala, Puducherry and Assam is coming to an end in June.
The 'full' Commission comprising Chief Election Commissioner Nasim Zaidi and fellow Commissioners A K Joti and O P Rawat would reach Kerala on Wednesday and return to Delhi on February 5.
The Commissioners will meet top administration and police officials besides representatives of political parties before taking a call on fixing the poll schedule.

The Commission is likely to announce the poll schedule for the five states in March.

Since the elections are in five states at the same time, the EC will take into consideration the availability of central forces while deciding the schedule.
The Commission will also factor in festivals, weather conditions and school examinations while working out the schedule.