The tensions between India and Pakistan will not delay the Lok Sabha election, the Election Commission clarified on Friday.

Asked about the possibility of any delay, Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora told presspersons that the EC was “capable” of holding polls “on time”.

Mr. Arora was here to review the preparation for the polls. He, however, did not divulge information about the likely date of issuing the notification, saying it would be announced in a press conference by norms.

On questions being raised by the Opposition parties in Uttar Pradesh over electronic voting machines, Mr. Arora said the country had made “EVMs into a football, wittingly, unwittingly”.

“If result is X, EVM is fine, if result is Y, then EVM is malfunctioning,” said Mr. Arora without naming any party.

Uttar Pradesh has 80 Lok Sabha seats.

Mr. Arora said that among the challenges in conducting polls in the State, the EC paid “special emphasis” to addressing communal flashpoints, casteist overtones, or intra-community law and order problems.

He said that by a new notification, candidates would now also have to give details of their properties abroad.