The Election Commission of India also announced assembly elections in Andhra Pradesh, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh and Odisha
India will vote to elect representatives from 543 constituencies in the Lok Sabha elections from April 19 to June 1. The Election Commission of India on Saturday announced the schedule for the polls, which will be held in seven phases like last time, while the counting of votes will take place on June 4. With the announcement of the dates, the moral code of conduct comes into force.
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The poll body also announced assembly elections in Andhra Pradesh, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh and Odisha and bypolls in 26 seats. At least 97 crore people are eligible to cast their vote this time at more than 10.5 lakh polling stations.
Last time, the Lok Sabha polls were announced on March 10 and held in seven phases beginning April 11. Votes were counted on May 23.
The term of the present Lok Sabha ends on June 16 and a new House has to be constituted before that. The term of the assemblies is coming to an end on various dates in June.
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In the 2019 general elections, the BJP had won 303 seats while the Congress got 52 seats. It could not muster enough numbers to claim the position of leader of the opposition in the Lok Sabha. The 2024 polls are being seen as a do-or-die battle for the opposition INDIA bloc.
WHAT DOES PHASE-WISE POLLING LOOK LIKE?
The elections will be held in seven phases, with first on April 19, second on April 26, third on May 7, fourth on May 13, fifth on May 20, sixth on May 25 and seventh on June 1.
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Here are the key highlights from chief election commissioner Rajiv Kumar’s speech:
- In his opening remarks, chief election commissioner Rajiv Kumar said the ECI team is now complete and fully prepared. “This is a historic opportunity for all of us and it is our promise to deliver a national election in a manner that adds a global shine,” he said.
- Talking about the number of voters, Kumar said there 96.8 crore registered voters, of which 1.82 crore are first-time voters, while there a total of 21 crore young voters in the age group of 20 to 29 years.
- He said women are equally taking part in the election. Growing gender ratio in electoral rolls is a testament to women celebrating their right to vote and efforts have brought them into the process, with 12 states and union territories boasting an elector gender ratio over 1,000. More than 85 lakh first-time women voters. There are over 47.1 crore female and 49.7 crore male voters, along with more than 82 lakh PwD voters, 2.2 lakh voters aged 100 and above, and 48,000 third gender voters.
- The CEC said there will be at least 10.5 lakh polling stations in 2024, as compared to 10 lakh in 2019. This will offer a seamless voting experience, as booths are equipped with assured minimum facilities from ramps for people with disabilities (PwD) to assistance for pregnant women, he said. “Our aim is inclusive participation. Every voice matters,” he added.
- He said more than 55 lakh EVMs will be deployed for the elections. Over 2100 General, Police, and Expenditure Observers being deployed for elections. They are the eyes and ears of Commission Overseeing conduct of inducement and intimidation free elections and level playing field for all.
