The full bench of the Election Commission is likely to visit Bengal later this month to oversee preparations for Assembly polls, giving rise to speculations that the voting could be held in March-April, instead of the usual April-May schedule.

The hint at the visit was given by deputy election commissioner Sudeep Jain on Thursday, according to senior Bengal government officials. He was on a two-day visit to Bengal.

“He asked top government officials to ensure that all preparatory activities for holding Assembly polls are completed with utmost urgency… He made it clear that the full bench of the EC could visit later this month. Usually, election dates are declared within two weeks of the visit of the EC full bench to the state,” said a senior government official.

On Thursday, Jain held meetings with state government officials, including home secretary, director general of police, health secretary and education secretary. He also convened a session with officials in the state chief electoral officer’s office. On Wednesday, he had held meetings with the district magistrates and police superintendents of all districts.

Sources said Jain had asked the education secretary on Thursday how many schools had been damaged in the Cyclone Amphan and how many schools could be made available for setting up booths.

“This year, there would be more booths as the maximum number of voters at a polling centre has been capped at 1,050, instead of 1,200, in the backdrop of the Covid-19 pandemic. It is estimated that the total number of booths in the state would go up to about 1 lakh from 78,000-odd as more than 20,000 auxiliary booths would be increased because of the new norm,” said a source.

As the number of booths would increase, the EC would require more polling officials and EVMs in this year’s election.

“Jain has asked us to consider the issue seriously and make arrangements accordingly,” said an official.

The EC would also allow people over 80 years of age, physically-challenged, Covid patients and those who will be in quarantine to cast their votes through postal ballots.

“A detailed guideline in this would soon be issued,” said a source.

Jain also held meetings with the officials of income tax, excise and customs to ensure that use of black money could be prevented in this year’s elections.

“He instructed the officials of central agencies to keep a watch on financial transactions from now on. He directed them to file reports on the political personalities accused of interfering in the poll process,” said a source.