The 2024 normal election for 543 Lok Sabha seats will likely be held in seven phases that may start from April 19 and proceed until June 1, Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar mentioned at the moment, asserting the graduation of the world’s largest democratic train through which the BJP would try and win a 3rd consecutive time period in energy. The outcomes of the election will likely be introduced on June 4.
Simultaneous election for Lok Sabha and meeting will likely be held in 4 states — Sikkim, Odisha, Arunachal Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh. Jammu and Kashmir, which has been beneath President’s Rule since 2018, was not on the checklist.
Meeting elections in Jammu and Kashmir will likely be held quickly after the Lok Sabha polls, Mr Kumar mentioned. Simultaneous election was not viable resulting from scarcity of safety personnel, he added, stating that the Fee has to offer safety to each member who would contest within the meeting polls in Jammu and Kashmir.
By-elections may even be held for 26 meeting seats throughout a number of states, together with Bihar, Gujarat, Haryana, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu.
Mr Kumar, asserting the dates, despatched out a robust message on the circulation of faux information on social media, saying political events ought to guarantee accountable social media behaviour — ”confirm earlier than you amplify”.
”Pretend information will likely be handled severely as per existant legal guidelines.. Part 79 (3)(B) of the IT Act empowers nodal officers in every state to take away illegal content material,” he mentioned.
The opposite sturdy message was on violation of mannequin code by way of hate speeches. ”There needs to be issue-based marketing campaign, no hate speeches, no speeches alongside caste or spiritual traces, no criticism of anybody’s private lives,” he mentioned.
The media should make clear once they carry political adverts, these can not masquerade as information, he mentioned. Particular person messages concerning this might be despatched to the candidates, he added.
The fee has employed 2,100 advisors to regulate these points and powerful motion will likely be taken concerning this, he mentioned.
Voters above the age of 85 years and individuals with disabilities, with 40 per cent incapacity can vote from house, Mr Kumar mentioned. Round 82 lakh voter are above the age of 85, he mentioned.
The announcement of election come days after Election Commissioner Arun Goel stop, leaving the three-member Fee with solely the Chief Election Commissioner.
Requested in regards to the matter, Mr Kumar mentioned, ”Arun was a really distinguished member of the workforce and I completely loved working with him. However in each establishment, one should be given private area. So if he has given private causes, respect it”.
On Thursday, a committee headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi named two retired Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers — Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Gyanesh Kumar – as Election Commissioners. They took oath the following day.