New Delhi:
The Election Commission (EC) has initiated preparations for holding the Presidential elections. It is likely to announce the poll schedule by the second week of June and the date of poll is likely to be between July 16 and 19.
The Commission, on Monday, conducted a meeting of the officials involved in holding the Presidential polls. Around 50 officials attended the meeting.
President Pratibha Patil completes her term on July 24 and the new President has to take the oath of office the next day.
VK Agnihotri, the Secretary General of the Rajya Sabha, who is also the Returning Officer for the polls, attended the meeting along with other officials of the Upper House who will be Assistant Returning Officers. Secretaries of state legislatures of all states were also present at the meeting. These secretaries will serve as Assistant Returning Officers where MLAs/ MLCs will be casting their votes.
The Chief Election Commissioner, Dr SY Quraishi, and the two Election Commissioners addressed the officials, explaining the legal and constitutional provisions as also other aspects related to the election of the President of India.
The next meeting for the Chief Electoral Officers of the states is likely to be held on May 30. These officers are responsible for preparing ballot papers and ballot boxes for the state legislatures.