Also, the terms of the Punjab, Goa and Manipur assemblies are expiring on March 18, 2017.
Barring UP, where the polling will be a staggered over nearly 7 phases, all other states are likely to have a single-phase poll.
Though EC has, over the past few polls timed early in the year, waited until publication of the revised rolls with reference to January 1 of that year to announce the schedule, sources said it is not mandatory for the poll body to do so. The revised rolls for 2017 are expected to be out on January 5. “There is no rule that requires us to wait until publication of the revised rolls for a particular year. Given that the additions and deletions to the rolls can be made right up to the last date of nomination, it is not mandatory for EC to hold back poll announcement till the revised rolls are published,” said an EC functionary.
