NEW DELHI: It is indicated that the Central Election Commission is preparing to announce the date of Lok Sabha elections next week. The last cabinet meeting is expected to take place on Wednesday, where important announcements of the second Narendra Modi government are expected to be made. It is reported that the election date will be announced in the next few days.

The Election Commission meetings to assess the preparations in the states will be completed by Wednesday. Before announcing the date, the central government is holding discussions with the home ministry on issues including security arrangements.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is busy announcing development projects worth crores of rupees in the states as the code of conduct will come into force after the election announcement. The Prime Minister's visit program will be completed by today. Important announcements are expected in the cabinet meeting.

As in 2019, voting will be held in seven phases. The first phase is expected to take place in the second week of April. Along with the Lok Sabha elections, assembly elections will also be held in the states of Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Odisha and Sikkim. There is also a possibility of Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections.

Campaign to heat up

Before the election date, the major political parties like BJP, Congress, Samajwadi Party, Aam Aadmi Party, CPM and CPI have announced the first list. BJP is preparing to announce the second list. The plan is to advance the campaign by announcing candidates in at least half of the seats. Congress' next list is likely to get longer as the talks are progressing under the 'INDIA' front.