IT News
Imphal, Mar 15:
The Election Commission of India (ECI) is set to announce the schedule for the 2024 Lok Sabha Election tomorrow at 3 p.m. Following this announcement, the nationwide implementation of the model code of conduct will be initiated.
In a statement, the Election Commission of India (ECI) declared that the timetable for the 2024 General elections, along with select State Assemblies, will be disclosed on Saturday, March 16, at 3 p.m. The unveiling will take place at the Plenary Hall Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, during a press conference, which will also be live-streamed on the ECI’s social media platforms.
Having concluded its comprehensive national survey of poll readiness in every state, the ECI wrapped up its assessment with a recent tour of Jammu and Kashmir.
Already, both regional and national parties have commenced the announcement of their candidates for the 543 Parliamentary constituencies. The BJP has unveiled two lists comprising 267 candidates for the Lok Sabha polls, while the Congress has revealed the names of 82 candidates across two lists.
States such as Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Odisha, Sikkim, Haryana, and Maharashtra are slated for elections this year. Additionally, the Supreme Court of India has directed the central government to conduct Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir by September 30, 2024. It is anticipated that the ECI will also announce the schedule for these respective states.
With the ongoing term of the Lok Sabha set to conclude on June 16, the urgency to constitute a new House looms large.
The 2019 Lok Sabha elections, conducted over seven phases between April 11 and May 12, witnessed the establishment of 1 million polling booths across the country, a substantial increase from the 90,000 booths in 2014. This expansion aimed to accommodate the voting eligibility of 912 million people. Notably, the elections recorded a turnout exceeding 67 percent, with the highest-ever participation of women voters.
In recent developments, Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar extended a warm welcome to the newly-appointed Election Commissioners Gyanesh Kumar and Sukhbir Singh Sandhu.
The foremost responsibility of the freshly appointed election commissioners will be to ensure the successful execution of the 2024 general elections.
Subsequent to the ECI’s announcement tomorrow, the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) will be enforced, setting forth guidelines for the conduct of political parties and candidates during the electoral period.
