ELECTIONS 2024: HERE WE GO
The ball has been set rolling for the world’s largest
democracy to undertake a long and rigorous polling process to elect is 543
parliamentarians over seven phases from April 19 to June 1. Results out on June
4.
NEW DELHI: Nearly a billion
people will vote in 1.05 million polling booths to select India’s next government,
the Election Commission of India (ECI) announced on Saturday, kick starting the
world’s largest democratic exercise that will be staggered across seven phases
stretching over six weeks between April 19 and June 1.
The results will be announced on June 4.
Assembly elections in Andhra Pradesh. Sikkim, Arunachal
Pradesh, and Odisha will also take place simultaneously, as will assembly
bypolls for 26 vacant seats, ECI said.
After assessment in all states we are confident of
ensuring memorable independent and impartial polls,” chief election
commissioner Rajiv Kumar said t a press briefing. He said the body was
determined to tackle the use muscle, money, misinformation and violations of
the poll code. “From wherever we receive the information of violence, we will
take action against them.
The number of eligible voters stands at nearly 969
million, more than population the US, Russia and the European Union. The polls
will take place in seven phases on April 19,26,May 7,13,20,25 and June 1 a
testament to the daunting logistical and security challenges in overseeing an
electorate stretching from the Himalayas in the north to deserts in the west,
insurgent- infested tropical jungles in the centre and the coastal plains in
the south.
Three of India’s biggest states, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar
and West Bengal will see elections across all seven phases. Two states
Maharashtra and Jammu and Kashmir will vote in five phases, three states in
four phases, two states in three phases, four in two phases, and 22 in a single
phase.
The first phase, on April 19, will be the biggest,
across 102 seats and 21 states, and fifth phase, across 49 seats and eight
states on May 20, will be the smallest.
“I urge parties to refrain from personal attacks and
foul language. No go areas in speeches are defined to maintain civility. Let us
not cross lines in our rivalry,” Kumar said.
The election will see Prime Minister Narendra Modi seek
a third consecutive term.
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