New Delhi: The Union Cabinet today (Mar 9, 2004) approved dates for elections to the Lok Sabha, which will be held in five phases beginning from April 20 and ending on May 10.

The Government's recommendations have been sent to President A P J Abdul Kalam for issuance of a notification, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said after the Cabinet meeting, presided over by Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

The dates proposed by the Election Commission and approved by the Cabinet are April 20, 22, 26 and May 5 and 10.

The Commission had earlier proposed four-phased elections. Tripura Government wrote to the Commission seeking a change of poll dates in the State from April 20 on account of tribal festival "Baba Gariyapuja" on that day. The Commission then proposed that elections in Tripura be held on April 22.