Election Commission of Pakistan will announce the date for holding of elections in the country after consulting political parties on Wednesday.    

Two factors had reportedly influenced the Commission's move to put off the polls -- the disruption of poll preparations by violent protests in the wake of Bhutto's assassination and recommendations from the governments of Sindh and North West Frontier Province to delay the balloting.

Caretaker Prime Minister Mohammedmian Soomro said on Monday that any decision to delay the polls will be taken after consulting the political parties.

The caretaker cabinet was also divided over the issue, with some members wanting the polls to be put off for two months.

The Commission had claimed that pre-poll arrangements across Pakistan, including the printing of ballot papers and training of poll personnel, had been 'adversely affected' by the recent protests.

All electoral rolls and ballot boxes were destroyed when poll offices in nine districts of Sindh were burnt by protestors.

Sectarian clashes in Kurram Agency have also created a situation that 'is not conducive' to the holding of polls, the Election Commission said.

Besides, the printing of ballot papers in a high-security press in Karachi, the capital of Sindh, has been disrupted by the protests.