Uttar Pradesh poll dates to be announced around Christmas

Lucknow: Even as the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections are drawing nearer, the administrative and political circles are rife with speculations about the poll dates. According to the official sources from Election Commission, the poll dates could be declared any day between December 20 and December 26.

The official sources have stated that everything has been finalised but a final decision has to be taken regarding the number of phases the poll has to be conducted into. "The decision regarding the poll to be conducted in either 5 phases or 7 is yet to be taken," said officials. The further said, "We all are of the view that the elections should wrap up by March 7."

About the dates of the elections:

• There are speculations that the elections would be conducted after the month of April.
• The officials have said that the decision would be taken while considering the exam schedule of Uttar Pradesh Board.
• The official sources also said, the authorities are of view that the elections should be over by March 7.
• The directions regarding this are expected to come between December 20 and 26.

Punjab elections may influence UP polls:

• While the Punjab has already announced that the elections in the state would take place between the months of February and March, the political parties do not want the UP polls to get influenced by the elections in the former.
• The Bhartiya Janata Party wants the counting of votes in both the states to be conducted at the same time.