As the election process in six states got over on Sunday, the Election Commission set its eyes on holding the next general elections around April-May next year. The indication for this came from Chief Election Commissioner N Gopalaswami on Sunday.

Interacting with reporters here, Gopalaswami, in reply to a question regarding the timing of the next general elections, said, “Looks like it (general election) would most likely be held in April-May.”

“March is a month of examinations. So you could say that it would be most likely held then,” the CEC said.

Gopalaswami, however, reminded that it was too early to fix a date for general elections considering that it would still take some time for completing electoral rolls and other works.

“It is too early for me to talk about it. By the middle of January, electoral rolls would be out for 2009. Then only we will sit down and talk,” the CEC said even as he expressed satisfaction over the successful conduct of Assembly elections in J&K.

He cited the lack of fear factor and good weather conditions during the seven-phase elections in J&K as contributory factor for high turnout of 61.5 per cent.

“I think luck played a big role. There was less militancy and the weather was good,” he said.

“Given the fact that increase in voter turnout is about 15-20 per cent, it is because of no fear factor. The rest is because of bijli, sadak and paani.”

“In the last one year, there has been lowering of militancy-related actions and hence the fear factor was not there. Little militant activity was the main reason for higher voter turnout,” Gopalaswami added.