Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut on Sunday criticised the <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/news/india-news/article/eci-likely-to-announce-election-dates-for-assam-west-bengal-kerala-and-tamil-nadu-on-sunday-23620916" target="_blank" rel="none noopener">Election Commission of India (ECI)</a> ahead of the announcement of the poll schedule for four states including Tamil Nadu, Assam, Kerala and West Bengal.
Raut alleged that the poll body functions as an &ldquo;extended branch&rdquo; of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), reported the ANI.
Speaking at a press conference in Mumbai, Sanjay Raut said that he had little faith in the independence of the poll body.
Raut made the comments ahead of the expected announcement of Assembly election dates in West Bengal, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Assam, along with the Union Territory of Puducherry, according to the ANI.
He sarcastically remarked that the Election Commission&rsquo;s press conference might as well be held at the BJP office, suggesting that the Commission works in favour of the ruling party.
&ldquo;We do not trust this Election Commission. These are people who work for the <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/news/india-news/article/west-bengal-tmc-bjp-supporters-clash-ahead-of-pm-modis-rally-in-kolkata-23620839" target="_blank" rel="none noopener">BJP</a>,&rdquo; Sanjay Raut said during the interaction with reporters, as per the ANI.
<h2>ECI set to announce poll schedule</h2>
Meanwhile, the Election Commission of India has scheduled a press conference at 4 pm to announce the election timetable for the states heading to polls.
Assembly elections are due in West Bengal, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Assam, as well as Puducherry, whose legislative terms are nearing completion.
<h2>Preparations for elections underway</h2>
The Commission has already conducted a special intensive revision of electoral rolls in these states and the Union Territory, with the final voter lists now published.
Earlier this month, Gyanesh Kumar, the Chief Election Commissioner, along with Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi, visited <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/news/india-news/article/cec-shown-black-flags-during-west-bengal-visit-23620262" target="_blank" rel="none noopener">West Bengal</a> to review poll preparedness, the news agency reported.
They also visited other states where Assembly elections are due to assess readiness for the electoral process.
<h2>Central observers appointed</h2>
According to the Commission, Central Observers have been appointed to assist with the conduct of elections.
These observers have been designated under the powers granted by Article 324 of the Constitution of India and Representation of the People Act, 1951.
Their role includes overseeing the management of the <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/news/india-news/article/sanjay-raut-criticises-narendra-modi-over-lpg-shortage-says-pm-focused-on-poll-rallies-23620491" target="_blank" rel="none noopener">election</a> process at the ground level and ensuring that polls are conducted in a free and fair manner.
(with ANI inputs)

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