Assembly poll dates likely by the end of February; EC to visit Kerala, Tamil Nadu today

The schedule for the state elections in West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam and Puducherry is likely to be announced after February 15. The Election Commission is beginning its tour of the southern states and Union Territory to oversee the poll preparations of the agencies.
 
The EC’s southern tour ends on February 15 after which the poll schedule for the four states and one Union Territory is likely to be announced.
 
Sources in the EC said the poll panel was likely to announce a detailed election schedule for the five states and UT in February-end or early March. Sources said Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducherry would vote in a single-phase election.
 
Beginning Wednesday, the top brass of the Election Commission would visit poll-bound Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Kerala to take stock of election preparedness. The commission has already visited Assam and West Bengal.
 
EC officials will spend six days — February 10-15 — in Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducherry. This is the final visit of the EC officials to the poll-bound states.
 
As the Election Commission aims to finish polling process by April end, March and April will be the peak election season in West Bengal, Assam, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducherry.