Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar announced that the 2024 general election for 543 Lok Sabha seats will be conducted in seven phases, commencing on April 19 and concluding on June 1. This marks the initiation of the world's largest democratic exercise, with the BJP striving for a third consecutive term in power. The election results will be disclosed on June 4.
In four states—Sikkim, Odisha, Arunachal Pradesh, and Andhra Pradesh—simultaneous elections for both Lok Sabha and the assembly will be conducted. Notably, Jammu and Kashmir, under President's Rule since 2018, was excluded from the list. The total number of registered electors or voters in India are around 96.8 crore (968 million), the Election Commission of India said while announcing the poll schedule. As many as 49.7 crore are men, 47.1 crore are women, 1.8 crore are first-time voters, 19.74 crore are young voters, 48,000 are transgenders, 82 lakh are aged above 85 and 2.18 lakh are centenarians.
Mr. Kumar further mentioned that assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir would be conducted shortly after the Lok Sabha polls. He explained that simultaneous elections were impractical due to a shortage of security personnel, emphasising the Commission's responsibility to ensure the security of all candidates participating in the assembly polls in Jammu and Kashmir.
By-elections will also be held for 26 assembly seats across multiple states, including Bihar, Gujarat, Haryana, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu.
Mr Kumar, announcing the dates, sent out a strong message on the circulation of fake news on social media, saying political parties should ensure responsible social media behaviour -- "verify before you amplify".
EC orders transfers of home secretaries of six states ahead of Lok Sabha election
According to media reports, the Election Commission has instructed the transfer of home secretaries from Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand in anticipation of the Lok Sabha polls. Additionally, the polling body has relieved the secretaries of the general administrative department in Mizoram and Himachal Pradesh of their duties. Furthermore, the Election Commission has removed Rajeev Kumar from his position as the Director General of Police in West Bengal. However, following his removal, the West Bengal government promptly appointed him as the secretary of the information and technology department.