New Delhi: The announcement of assembly elections for four states, including Kerala, and one Union Territory is expected after mid-March. Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, along with Commissioners Dr Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Dr Vivek Joshi, returned to Delhi on Friday evening after completing their tour of Tamil Nadu. Meanwhile, following disputes and uncertainties regarding the SIR process, the final voter list in West Bengal is scheduled to be published on Saturday.

The Election Commission’s visit to Kerala is set for 5–6 March. The Bengal tour has also been extended due to SIR-related uncertainties, and the commission has not yet finalised the dates for that visit.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to inaugurate a new expressway in Assam on 14 March. He is now expected to arrive in Kerala on 11 March and may make some announcements during the visit. Consequently, the election announcement is likely to come after mid-March.

The Prime Minister’s Kerala visit was originally planned for 6 March but has been rescheduled to 11 March. He will release the NDA’s manifesto at Kaloor Stadium in Ernakulam and will also attend a programme organised by the Dheevara Sabha at Marine Drive. Reports indicate that there will be two additional programmes, including one by the Railways. An official decision on the visit is expected shortly.

The Election Commission is aiming to conduct the elections in West Bengal and other states over a shorter period, similar to Bihar. While the 2021 elections in West Bengal were held in eight phases, this time they are expected to be reduced to three or four phases. Kerala, in contrast, will hold its elections in a single phase.