Daijiworld Media Network
New Delhi, Mar 10: The Election Commission (EC) announced schedule for the high-voltage Lok Sabha elections on Sunday, March 10.
Holding a press conference at 5 pm at Vigyan Bhavan here Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora, said, "Election will be held in seven phases. Last date of nomination of phase 1 is March 25. First phase will begin on April 11, second phase on April 18, third phase on April 23, fourth phase on April 29, fifth phase on May 6, sixth phase on May 12 and seventh phase on May 19. Election results will be announced on May 23." The term of the present Lok Sabha ends on June 3. The EC announced that assembly elections in Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh will also be held along with the Lok Sabha polls.
"22 states going in single phase are Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Goa, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Kerala, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Punjab, Sikkim, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Uttarakhand, Andaman Niccobar, Dadra and Nagar haveli, Daman and Diu, Lakshdweep, Delhi, Pondicherry, Chandigarh. States going in 2 phases are Karnataka, Manipur, Rajasthan and Tripura. States going in 3 phases are Assam Chhattisgarh. States going in 4 phases are Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha. The state going in 5 phase is Jammu and Kashmir. States going in 7 phases are Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal.
Polling in Karnataka will be held on April 18 for 14 constituencies and for the remaining 14 will be on April 23.
"After holding elections in J&K, EC has continuously assessed the situation in state, requirement of forces, security of candidates and preparedness of states. This includes recent developments. State Govt of J&K and Home Ministry have sent detailed statement to EC. EC had recently visited J&K and met officials too. There will be no assembly election in J&K," he added.
Joined by Election commissioners Sushil Chandra and Ashok Lavasa, Arora further said, "The Election Commission has attempted a comprehensive plan for the Lok Sabha elections in a manner that is free and fair. India, by conducting elections, emerged as a beacon of light for the world. Examination schedule has been kept in mind to avoid inconvenience to students. There are over 84.3 million new voters since 2014, 15 million voters in the age of 18 and 19."
"VVPATs will be used in all polling stations this time and 90 crore voters will cast vote this time. We visited several states and UTs to review poll preparedness. There is a standard process adopted by the EC. First off, we start with interaction with political parties. We had a fairly in-depth interaction with the collectors, SPs, IGs, commissioners of police and all their colleagues. Voter's guide is being handed over to every household. There will be a NOTA option for voters. There is a photograph of the candidate also so that you make a more conscious choice. There are approximately 10 lakh polling stations across the country as opposed to 9 lakh last year. Any violation of the Model Code of Conduct will be dealt with in the strictest manner. Candidates with criminal history will be required to furnish such information. Usage of loudspeakers is prohibited at night between 10 pm and 6 am.
"1950 will be the new voter helpline number. Photo voter slip to be distributed to all registered voters at least 5 days before polling. Due to complaints regarding security of EVMs, last mile transportation of these machines will be tracked through GPS now:Facebook, Google has committed in writing that any political ads posted on their sites will be verified. Google and FB has announced verification of political advertisers. Social media officers have also appointed dedicated content officer for the elections. It will also check violation of electoral laws.
As elections, in which Prime Minister Narendra Modi will make his bid to return to power amid hectic parleys by several political parties to put a united fight against the ruling BJP, are announced, the model code of conduct will come into force. Amongst other things, the code bars the government from announcing policy decisions.
In 2014, the EC had announced the election schedule on March 5 and the nine-phase electoral exercise was spread across April and May. While the first phase polling was on April 7, the last phase was on May 12.
Highlights:
- Polling in Karnataka on April 18 for 14 constituencies and rest 14 on April 23
- Seven phases : UP, Bihar
- Six phases: NO
- Five phases : J & K
- Four Phases : Jharkahnd, MP, Maharastar, Orissa
- Three phases : Assam, Chattisgarh
- Two phases Karnataka, Manipur, Rajastan, Tripura
- Single phase polls :Andhra, Arunachal, Goa, Gujarat, haryana, HP, Kerala, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Punjab, Sikkim, Telangana, TN, Uttarakand, Andaman, D& D, Lakshadeep, Delhi, Puduchery, Chandigarh
- Counting : May 23
- Phase 7 : May 19 (59)
- Phase 6 : May 12 (59)
- Phase 5 - My 6 (51)
- Phse 4: Apr 29 (71)
- Phase 3 : April 23 (115)
- Phase 2 : April 18 (97)
- First phase April 11 (92constituencies)
- Polls to be held in 7 phases
- Gadget notification - 18.03.2019
- Social media publicity will be included in poll expenses of candidate / party
- Paper trail in all polling stations
- Weather, festival factors also kept in mind
- 9 Cr voters increased in this LS polls
- Faces of candidates in EVMs
- 10% increase in polling stations
- We have kept exam schedules in mind : CEC
- Poll code comes into effect from today itself
- VVPATS in all polling stations
- Total voters 900 Million :
- Assembly polls for four states also to be held. Andhra Pradesh, orissa, Arunaachal and Sikkim