New Delhi, Mar 1 : President Pratibha Patil today rejected the recommendations of the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) N Gopalaswami to remove Election Commissioner Naveen Chawla from the poll panel.

A Rashtrapati Bhawan communique said the President had received a recommendation to this effect from the Union Government and taken a decision after taking a considered view on the issue.

The development comes days ahead of an announcement of a schedule for general elections.

The three-member Commission is widely expected to announce poll dates in a day or two.

New Delhi, Feb. 4 : The full Election Commission on Wednesday discussed the preparations of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections with the Chief Electoral Officers of all the states and Union Territories.

Chief Election Commissioner N. Gopalaswami presided the meeting, which discussed the progress in the revision of electoral rolls, requirement of poll staff, Progress in issuance of photo identity cards and other measures for smooth conduct of elections.

The Commission already held detailed discussions with the national and regional parties on Tuesday.

New Delhi, Feb 3 : Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) N Gopalaswami, Election Commissioner Navin Chawla and the third commissioner S Y Quraishi along with members of forty seven political parties will sit to convene a formal meeting today.

This meeting is expected to discuss preparatory measures and electoral issues for the coming Lok Sabha elections, which can be held between April 8 and May 15.

New Delhi, Jan 31: Chief Election Commissioner N. Gopalaswami has demanded the removal of Election Commissioner Navin Chawla over charges of "partisanship". He has sent his recommendation to the President, who has forwarded it to the Prime Minister.

The move is being seen in government and media circles as having serious institutional and political ramifications, even as the country is getting ready for general elections to be held in April-May this year.

New Delhi, Dec. 28 : The Chief Election Commissioner N.