New Delhi: In the first week of March, the Election Commission may announce the dates for the upcoming assembly elections in five states. At the same time, the date for the Papilio by-election is likely to be announced. However, it will be clear after the announcement of the Election Commission. According to a reliable source, the Election Commission will announce the dates on March 3 and 4 next year. At the same time, some states, including Pipili in Odisha, will also announce dates for by-elections in four states. Necessary preparations are also being made by the Commission in this regard. The commission appears to have given the necessary instructions to the state chief electoral officer regarding training of staff in the elections, booths for voters, deployment of forces for security arrangements, cuts to Kovidh and other measures. Notably, the Pipili seat fell vacant after the death of MLA Pradeep Maharathi on October 4, 2020.