There is a possibility that the Election Commission of India (ECI) may go by the precedent and hold assembly elections in Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh along with the next Lok Sabha polls.
Since the Jammu and Kashmir assembly has been dissolved, the ECI is bound to hold fresh polls there within six months. It was dissolved in November, 2018.
So, the EC may hold elections in Jammu and Kashmir too along with the Parliamentary polls depending on the security situation there.
In normal circumstances, the J&K assembly’s six-year term was to end on March 16, 2021.
The term of the Sikkim Assembly ends on May 27, 2019 and the terms of Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and Arunachal Pradesh assemblies end on June 18, June 11 and June 1 respectively
Sources informed that the schedule for the Lok Sabha elections is likely to be announced in the first week of March. The term of the present Lok Sabha ends on June 3.
The deciding on the number of phases for Lok Sabha polls will depend on the availability of security forces and other requirements.