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.