New Delhi: As the tenure of the current 17th Lok Sabha draws to a close on June 16, India gears up for the formation of the 18th Lok Sabha. Ensuring a smooth transition of power, the Election Commission of India (ECI) is set to announce the much-awaited dates for the Lok Sabha elections today. The announcement will be made during a press conference scheduled at 3 pm.
A Record-Breaking Electoral Exercise
The 2024 Lok Sabha elections are poised to be a monumental event with over 97 crore voters expected to exercise their franchise across more than 12 lakh polling stations. This marks a significant increase from the previous elections, reflecting India’s growing electorate.
Election Phases and Expected Schedule
The ECI is likely to declare that the elections will be conducted in 6 to 7 phases, with the first phase potentially commencing between April 18th and 20th. The final results are anticipated to be declared in the last week of May, following the completion of all voting phases.
Simultaneous Assembly Elections
In a concurrent development, the ECI may also announce dates for assembly elections in four states: Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh. This simultaneous electoral process underscores the comprehensive nature of India’s democratic exercises.
Implementation of the Model Code of Conduct
With the declaration of the election dates, the Model Code of Conduct will come into immediate effect nationwide. Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar, along with the newly appointed Election Commissioners, will oversee the enforcement of the code.
Public Access to the Announcement
Citizens can tune in to the live stream of the press conference on the official ECI website and its social media accounts, ensuring transparency and widespread dissemination of information.
Historical Context and Comparisons
The announcement follows the pattern of the 2019 elections, where the dates were revealed on March 10th, and voting was held in seven phases. The first round of voting occurred on April 11th, with the final phase on May 19th, leading to the results on May 23rd, 2019.
As the nation awaits the official schedule, the ECI’s announcement today will mark the commencement of a pivotal chapter in India’s democratic journey. The country’s electorate is set to participate in an election that will shape the political landscape for the next five years.
