NEW DELHI: The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Saturday announced the schedule for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, along with the dates for Assembly elections in four states including Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Andhra Pradesh and Odisha.
The elections will be held in seven phases. The first phase to be held on April 19, second phase on April 26, third phase on May 7, fourth phase on May 13, fifth phase on May 20, sixth phase on May 25 and the seventh phase on June 1, 2024.
The first phase of elections is set for April 19, with the deadline for candidate nominations being March 27. These elections will span across 21 States and Union Territories. The second phase of elections will commence on April 26, with the nomination deadline on April 4. This phase will cover 12 States and Union Territories. The third phase, elections are scheduled for May 7, and the nomination deadline is April 20. This phase will also encompass 12 States and Union Territories. The fourth phase of elections will be held on May 13, with the nomination deadline on April 25, covering 10 States and Union Territories. The fifth phase is set for May 20, with the nomination deadline on May 3 and covering 8 States and Union Territories. The sixth phase of elections will take place on May 25, with the nomination deadline on May 6, spanning across 7 States and Union Territories and finally the seventh phase of elections is scheduled for June 1, with the nomination deadline on May 14, covering 8 States and Union Territories.
In the first phase, polling will occur in 102 constituencies, while the second phase will see 89 constituencies going to polls. The following phases will witness polling in 94, 96, 49, 57, and 57 constituencies, respectively.
While polling in the Northeastern states of Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim will take place on April 19, Andhra Pradesh will head to polls on May 13. Elections in Odisha will be held in four phases on May 13, May 20, May 25, and June 1.
The term of 17th Lok Sabha assembly will expire on June 16, 2024, said chief election commissioner Rajiv Kumar.
“We have 97 crore registered voters, over 10.5 lakh polling stations manned by 1.5 crore personnel, 55 lakh EVMs,” the CEC said. He further said that the electoral roll includes 82 lakh voters of over 85 years of age and 2.18 lakh centenarians.
The election commission announced that the senior citizen above the age of 85 and persons with disability (PwD) voters with 40 per cent benchmark disability can vote from home.
The CEC said that any candidate with criminal records will have to publish it in newspapers thrice.
The results will be announced on June 4, 2024, said the chief election commissioner Rajiv Kumar. The results for all four states will also be announced on June 4, the same day when the Lok Sabha poll results will be declared. (Agencies)
