ECI Announces Lok Sabha Election Schedule

The Election Commission of India announced the Lok Sabha election schedule today, Saturday, March 16, which is scheduled to take place in April or May this year. It also released the dates of assembly elections in four states – Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Arunachal Pradesh, and Sikkim. 

Over 12 lakh polling places will host the upcoming elections, where nearly 97 crore voters can cast their ballots. The schedule for Lok Sabha elections is divided in seven phases. Karnataka, Rajasthan, and Manipur will have elections in 2 phases. 21 states will have voting in the first phase.

“Total electors encompass 49.7 crore males, 47.1 crore females, and 48,000 transgender voters. Additionally, 1.8 crore first-time voters have been added to the list,” the CEC said.

The Election Commission said that the elderly, disabled will be able to vote from home. The home voting facility will be extended to individuals aged 85 and above, as well as for voters with a 40 per cent or more disability.

“Strict directions given to DMs & SPs to ensure a level playing field. CAPF to be deployed adequately & asisted by Integrated control rooms in each district”, wrote ECI on X. It further tweeted that violence is unacceptable and violators shall be punished.

Rajiv Kumar, the Chief Election Commissioner, and newly-appointed Election Commissioners Gyanesh Kumar and Sukhbir Singh Sandhu addressed the media persons at 3 pm today. The press conference was live-streamed on social media platforms of ECI. 

“Press conference by the Election Commission to announce the schedule for general elections 2024 & some state assemblies will be held at 3 pm tomorrow, ie March 16. It will be live-streamed on social media platforms of the ECI,” the ECI spokesperson added.