New Delhi, Dec 8 : Chief Election Commissioner N Gopalswamy has said that the Lok Sabha elections are to be held on schedule in April-May next year, adding that there is no particular interest to advance the dates unless it is necessary.

The general elections in the country are held just before the end of the government’s tenure, he said.

Gopalaswamy today strongly advocated on the public to exert pressure to cleanse the political system from criminal elements.

Jammu, Nov 13 : Reviewing the ongoing election process in Jammu and Kashmir, Chief Election Commissioner N. Gopalaswami on Thursday said that the model code of conduct will be implemented in letter and spirit.

While replying to a query about the poll boycott call given by the separatists, Swami said, “We are not bothered about the poll boycott call and it is not new, it happens everywhere.”

Srinagar, Nov 13: Chief Election Commissioner N. Gopalaswami has reviewed poll preparedness for Assembly election in Kashmir.

Talking to reporters here on Wednesday, Gopalaswami said everything was in place for a free and fair election. We insist upon free and fair elections. No police, no Central Paramilitary Forces (CPMF), no army personnel, will interfere in any manner with the election process.

New Delhi, Oct 21 : Photo electoral rolls will be used all over the country, except in the north eastern states, Chief Election Commissioner N Gopalaswami said.

Addressing the National Police Academy in Hyderabad, Gopalaswami said that though the process of issuing electoral photo identity cards started in 1995, 100 per cent success has never been achieved for several reasons.

He said a list of missing voters was also being prepared in each polling station to ensure the eligible persons did not lose their voting right.

The CEC said multi-level checking of electoral rolls was being undertaken to compare the 18-plus population as per census data with the number of registered voters.

The Election Commission, ostensibly, is a divided on the issue of holding polls in Jammu and Kashmir and has maintained silence on the issue. This seems to have piqued the political parties causing their outburst at the commission.

Considering the precarious political scenario in J-K, it is perceivable that the election commission cannot afford to be indecisive on this issue. Yet the issue remains unsolved.