Presidential poll schedule likely to be out by evening

The schedule for the Presidential election is likely to be announced by Tuesday evening.

Sources said the Election Commission held meetings on Monday as well as Tuesday to finalise the schedule for the poll.

The process of electing the new President has to be completed before July 24 when the term of the incumbent Pratibha Patil ends. The notification for the last Presidential election was issued on June 13.

New Chief Election Comissioner V S Sampath, who took over on Monday, said, "All preparatory works are in full swing and an announcement regarding the election schedule is due shortly."

He said an orientation workshop for the returning officer, assistant returning officers and presiding officers for the Presidential poll was held last month.