The EC's announcement ends speculations that the polls may be held in June.

Leaders of various parties, who had met Gill, had said that their discussions might lead to the EC fixing the election dates in the month of June. It may be recalled that the CEC had paid a visit to Goa in early March to oversee the arrangements for conducting mid-term polls in the State.

The state is under Presidential Rule after both the Houses of Parliament had unanimously ratified the Central Government's decision to impose President's rule in Goa after the failure of three successive governments to remain in office with a clearmajority.

State Governor J F R Jacob and the Union Home Ministry had then recommended holding of the State's elections as early as possible.

Meanwhile, the local election machinery has finalised the electoral rolls and worked out all the details for conducting the polls which will witness for the first time the usage of electronic voting machine.