EC calls for 2018 exam schedule

Pradeep Sharma

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 7

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has sought the examination schedules of the universities and state education boards for 2018, giving rise to speculation that the parliamentary and Haryana Assembly elections may be held next year.

The Director General of Higher Education, acting on a communication from the Haryana Chief Electoral Officer, has asked the registrars of all state and private universities and the secretary of the Haryana Board of School Education, Bhiwani, for the examination schedules of 2018.

The fact that the ECI has sought information with regard to “general, byelections to the Lok Sabha and Legislative assemblies of all states and Union Territories” has given credence to the speculation about the mid-term poll.

While the Lok Sabha elections are due in 2019, the Haryana Assembly elections are slated to be held in September or October, 2019. There are reports that the BJP-led NDA government may go for early Lok Sabha poll. In fact, Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar has also on record said that the BJP was ready for elections any time.