Poll dates likely this month

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 9

In an indication that the date for the assembly poll can be announced anytime soon, the state government has requested the Centre to provide over 200 companies of central security forces to be deputed in the state before and during elections.

The final decision on the strength of central forces to be deputed in the state is likely to be taken on December 16 during a meeting of CEC Dr Nasim Zaidi with the officials of the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Sources said that the discussion of top administrative and police officials with Deputy Election Commissioner Sandeep Saxena suggested that the model code of conduct was likely to be enforced in the state in the third week of this month. This means that elections will either be conducted in the last week of January or first week of February.