Lok Sabha polls not feasible before end of April: Ex-CEC Gill

London, Jan. 19: Former chief election commissioner (CEC) M.S. Gill has said Lok Sabha elections were not likely to be held before April end this year and suggested the Government appoints election commissioner T.S. Krishnamurthy as J.M. Lyngdoh’s successor since he is the senior-most.

"My experience says elections cannot be held in June-July, as then the major part of the country is experiences rains.

Nor can elections be held in March, as it is the examination time in the country. I think that April end and the first week of May look like the apt election time," he said participating in a BBC Hindi special programme "Aapki Baat BBC Ke Saath".

When a questioner pointed out that Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee has said it would be good if the country has a new Government by April end, the former CEC said in the programme broadcast on Sunday night, "I humbly say, that this does not look possible."

On the successor to Lyngdoh who retires on February seven, Gill said, "It has to be the turn of the senior-most member in the Commission. It is important to ensure the impartial nature of the Commission, and that there is no dirty game played in this appointment." (PTI)