New Delhi, March, 10: The Election commission of India (ECI), will hold a press conference at 5 pm today to announce dates of the Lok Sabha elections 2019. Along with the schedule of the general elections, the EC will also announce the dates for assembly polls in Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Odisha and Sikkim.  There is also the possibility that dates for the elections in Jammu and Kashmir might also be announced along with the Lok Sabha polls. Lok Sabha Elections 2019: CPM Releases 1st List of Candidates For West Bengal.

The term of the 16th Lok Sabha will end on June 3, while Andhra Pradesh and Arunachal Pradesh assemblies will end on June 18. Similarly, the terms of Odisha and Sikkim assemblies will expire on June 11 and May 27. Lok Sabha & Assembly Elections Not to be Held Simultaneously in Maharashtra, Says CM Devendra Fadnavis.

Meanwhile, the Election Commission on Saturday convened a meeting to assess preparedness for the Lok Sabha elections. In the meeting, the assembly polls in Jammu and Kashmir were also discussed. Once the poll dates are announced, the Model Code of Conduct will come into force. Earlier, the dates of the Lok Sabha Elections 2019 were expected to be announced by the first week of March, but according to sources, the EC might have delayed the announcement because of the February 14 Pulwama Attack and the recently concluded Kumbh Mela. Lok Sabha Elections 2019: BJP Ties-Up With AJSU in Jharkhand, Will Contest 13 Seats And Leave 1 for Regional Ally.

The poll-conducting body might announce the dates for elections in nine phases, just like it did in 2014. The EC is most likely to use 22.3 lakh ballot units, 16.3 lakh control units and nearly 17.3 lakh VVPATs. This time there will be a tough completion between the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) led by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) led by the Congress. According to various opinion polls, the NDA is likely to bag around 250-270 seats. However, the UPA may get restricted under 200 seats.

Congress President Rahul Gandhi is trying to unite the opposition to put up a strong fight against the Prime Minister Narendra Modi led NDA government. Meanwhile, the BJP also launched various programmes to reach out to voters. Recently, PM Modi addressed BJP workers as part of the Mera Booth Sabse Mazboot programme.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 10, 2019 11:15 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).