Lok Sabha Election 2024 Date Highlights: CEC Rajiv Kumar-led Election Commission of India (ECI) announced the dates of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections 2024. The general election for 543 Lok Sabha seats will be held in seven phases from April 19, Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar announced on Saturday. The counting will be held on June 4.
The announcement of the Lok Sabha election date 2024 comes two days after the appointment of two new Election Commissioners- Gyanesh Kumar and Sukhbir Singh Sandhu. The appointment of the new ECs came after the surprise resignation of Arun Goel last week and the retirement of Anup Chandra Pandey on February 14.
The Model Code of Conduct (MCC) will kick in after the announcement of the Lok Sabha election date 2024 which means that the political parties, candidates, and government must work under the stipulated guidelines of the Election Commission of India (ECI) around their speeches, announcements, election manifestos etc.
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Lok Sabha Elections 2024 Date LIVE updates: Ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, Uttarakhand Chief Electoral Officer Dr BVRCC Purushottam on Sunday said that the Model Code of Conduct has come into effect in the state, given which expenditure monitoring of all political parties has also been started.
The Model Code of Conduct (MCC) for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections in Uttarakhand came into force after the Election Commission of India (ECI) announced the election date on Saturday.
He said that as per the guidelines of the Election Commission, all parties should conduct the nomination process of their candidates, election rallies and other activities.
Chief Electoral Officer Dr BVRCC Purushottam held a meeting with the representatives of all the recognized political parties of the state at the Secretariat. On this occasion, he appealed to all the parties to conduct safe polling in the state.
Lok Sabha Elections 2024 Date LIVE updates: A day after the Election Commission (EC) notified the dates for the seven-phased Lok Sabha elections, West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose on Sunday launched 'Log Sabha' a dedicated portal to stay connected with the people during polling for the Lower House of Parliament in the state.
The portal comes with the email id logsabha.rajbhavankolkata@gmail.com, through which citizens could connect with the Governor and convey their concerns with regard to polling in the state, if any.
According to Raj Bhavan sources, grievances and suggestions conveyed and received via the portal will be acted upon immediately.
District Election Officer, Bandipora, Shakeel ul Rehman, on Sunday directed all licensed arms holders to deposit their arms at the nearest police stations within seven days in view of the Lok Sabha elections.
"The district magistrate in an order vide No. 35- DMB of 2024 dated: 17-03-2024 directed all the civilians and forces personnel (retired and serving) presently residing within the territorial jurisdiction of District Bandipora and who are in possession of arms and ammunition on a vaild arms licence shall deposit their arms and ammunition in the concerned police stations within a period of seven days from the date of issuance of the order." an official spokesman said here.
A total of 26,20,040 voters will elect the next Lok Sabha MP from the Gautam Buddh Nagar constituency on April 26, up from 22.97 lakh in 2019, officials said on Sunday.
District Magistrate and local Returning Officer Manish Kumar Verma said Gautam Buddh Nagar has five Assembly constituencies -- Noida, Dadri, Jewar, Khurja and Sikandrabad.
Congress MP Rajeev Shukla said, " After the declaration of election dates, the whole INDIA alliance is united and will strongly contest the elections...we discussed all the key issues (at the rally)
“The people of Telangana were frustrated by the BRS government because they announced several welfare schemes, but most of them didn’t come to fruition. People taught them a lesson, and as a result Congress came to power. But Congress too failed to deliver on its promises. I am confident that BJP will win maximum number of seats from the state in the Lok Sabah elections," BJP MP K Laxman.
Pannyan Raveendran, LDF candidate from Thiruvananthapuram said that the party has already started the campaign for Lok Sabha polls 2024. "The biggest benefit of India is its secularism but this is a time when religious harmony is facing the biggest challenge," he added.
"We had already started the campaign (for elections). This is an election that will decide the future of our country. The biggest benefit of India is its secularism but this is a time when religious harmony is facing the biggest challenge. The laws introduced by the Central govt are scaring the people of our state, one of them is CAA. It doesn't suit us to divide people over religion. Central govt's discrimination towards Kerala govt, they treat us as if we are their enemies," Raveendran said.
Union Minister and BJP leader Rajeev Chandrasekhar on a visit to Kerala's Thiruvananthapuram. He said his intention is to present to the people of Thiruvananthapuram, 'how BJP and Modi govt can change the trajectory' of the constituency.
" I'm meeting everyone in Thiruvananthapuram...it is my duty to meet them and hear them. It is also my intention to present to them, how BJP and Modi govt can change the trajectory of Thiruvananthapuram, from nothing happening in the last 10 years to making Thiruvananthapuram a place where technology, tourism, electronics, manufacturing, research and science that Anandapuri deserves," he said.
“The BJP is fighting elections at the booth-level. We have workers working at every booth and are aiming to gain at least 370 more votes from each booth since the 2019 elections. This time we are targeting 68-70 per cent of the total votes in Madhya Pradesh," Madhya Pradesh BJP chief VD Sharma said.
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor said, " I'm already known to the people of Thiruvananthapuram for 15 years, 10 days more or 10 days less won't make any difference but for new candidates, it will give them the opportunity to familiarise himself with the electorate...June 4 is a bit of a surprise, it is a lot longer than previous elections we participated in...on the political financial issue, there is no question that longer campaigns are easier for the well-financed ruling party because they have money to sustain a lengthy campaign but for smaller parties and less financed parties, Congress being sadly one of them, we will have a challenge..."
Rashtriya Lok Janshakti Party (RLJP) leader Surajbhan Singh said on seat-sharing talks with the BJP said, “There is a lot of time to think about seat-sharing. Discussions are going on."
“We are extremely confident that we will come to power at the Center, and in Assam, we will win at least 13 seats in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections," said Assam Minister and BJP leader Pijush Hazarika.
“Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma chaired a meeting of the Election Management Committee of the BJP Assam Pradesh. He advised us on how to reach people with the development and achievements of both the central and the state governments. The party workers look forward to working for the party and the people of Assam," said BJP leader Pabitra Margherita
On the schedule of the Lok Sabha Elections announced by the ECI, CPI-M General Secretary Sitaram Yechury said, “They (ECI) must have their own reasons that they have announced a long schedule, they have the constitutional rights and responsibilities. We have a single request to ECI to take care of the code of conduct during this long period, as there will be polling at some places and simultaneously the rallies will also be held, it'll impact. We want ECI to create a level playing field for all political parties..."
"Impressed by the policies of PM Modi and his vision to make India a developed nation, I have joined the BJP," said former Congress leader Rajendra Singh Bhandari on joining the BJP in Uttarakhand.
Election Commission of India changes the counting schedule for General elections of Legislative Assemblies of Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim from June 4 to June 2.
"These elections are to save the tradition of elections in the country. If we don't save the country, then its independence and elections are in danger," said Delhi Minister Saurabh Bhardwaj
"The BJP contests elections with its symbol, ideology, and performance. The candidate is important, but that is the organisation's decision. For now, our motivation is to get votes for 'lotus' (BJP's symbol)," said BJP leader Surinder Ambardar.
On the announcement of Lok Sabha election dates, BJP MP Tejasvi Surya said, "The whole country is eagerly looking forward to voting for PM Modi again, for a record third term as country's Prime Minister. Bengaluru is no exception. Since yesterday, people have been calling us and expressing their desire to vote on April 26...I am confident that in all 3 seats of Bengaluru city, the BJP will outperform its previous margins..."
"They (BJP) can say whatever they want, but the results in Bihar will surprise everyone. The work that was done in 17 months (during our rule) wasn't done in the last 17 years. What did PM Modi do for Bihar in 10 years?" said former Bihar deputy CM and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav.
"The INDIA bloc had multiple partners when it was formed. However, many of their alliance partners have already left the coalition. They are gathering again in Mumbai today but many of their leaders have already left alliance - West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee and Bihar CM Nitish Kumar," said BJP leader Shahnawaz Hussain on INDIA bloc's mega rally in Shivaji Park in Mumbai, scheduled to be held later today.
Lok Sabha Elections 2024 Date LIVE updates:With the Lok Sabha election schedule out, Uttar Pradesh Police has directed its officials to ensure that the Model Code of Conduct has been implemented as per the action plan.
The police headquarters has prepared an action plan for the enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) and sent it to all the police commissioners and superintendents of police.
The MCC came into effect with the declaration of the poll schedule on Saturday.
As per information provided by UP Police headquarters here, officials have been instructed to take measures as per the action plan.
Lok Sabha Elections 2024 Date LIVE updates: Former Uttarakhand forest minister Harak Singh Rawat's daughter-in-law Anukriti Gusain has quit the Congress citing personal reasons. In a letter addressed to the state Congress president, Gusain on Saturday said she was resigning from the primary membership of the party for personal reasons. A former beauty pageant winner, Gusain had unsuccessfully contested the 2022 assembly polls from Lansdowne constituency on a Congress ticket soon after joining the party. Gusain had won the Femina Miss India Grand International title in 2017.
Lok Sabha Elections 2024 Date LIVE updates: Congress leader Jairam Ramesh says, "The day after tomorrow working committee meeting will be held. After that, our manifesto will be released...Around ₹6000 crores were given to BJP. Congress was third on the list (electoral bond)..."
Lok Sabha Elections 2024 Date LIVE updates: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday claimed that the ruling BJP makes a “lot of noise" but does not have enough courage to “change" the Indian Constitution. He also asserted that the truth and the country's people are on his side
Lok Sabha Elections 2024 Date LIVE updates: Splits in key political parties Shiv Sena and NCP have made the battle for the 48 Lok Sabha seats in Maharashtra more interesting, besides the focus on traditional issues like unemployment and farmer suicides. Lok Sabha polls in Maharashtra will be held in five phases on April 19, April 26, May 7, May 13 and May 20. Counting of votes will be held on June 4. The BJP-Shiv Sena won 41 of the 48 seats in the 2019 polls, but the Sena has split since and a vast majority of the Bal Thackeray-founded party is now allied with the BJP. In the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, the BJP emerged the top party with 23 seats, followed by the undivided Sena with 18. The undivided NCP had emerged victorious on four seats, the Congress one, while the AIMIM and an Independent accounted for the remaining two. A total of 9.2 crore persons, including more than 50,000 centenarians, are eligible to exercise their franchise in the ensuing Lok Sabha elections in Maharashtra, an increase of 34 lakh from 2019.
Lok Sabha Elections 2024 Date LIVE updates:A day after the Election Commission of India (ECI) announced the poll dates for the 18th Lok Sabha elections, the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), on Sunday said it will move the poll panel seeking to change the polling dates in Kerala and Tamil Nadu as they fall on Friday.
For Tamil Nadu, the polls will be held on April 19 and in Kerala on April 26. Both dates fall on a Friday.
The IUML, a major ally of the Opposition Congress party in the UDF, said it will approach the ECI to change the dates of elections in Kerala and Tamil Nadu as it causes inconvenience to voters, officials, and candidates as Friday is important day for Muslims.
Talking to PTI, P M A Salam, state general secretary of IUML, said Fridays are an important day for the Muslims who gather in mosques for prayer.
Lok Sabha Elections 2024 Date LIVE updates: "The elections will be contested on issues of development and law and order. The people will agree that riots used to take place (in UP) under the rule of the previous Congress-Samajwadi Party government. The Samajwadi Party government was called a 'gunda sarkar' and FIRs were not registered in police stations," says UP Minister and Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party president Om Prakash Rajbhar
Lok Sabha Elections 2024 Date LIVE updates: On the schedule of the upcoming Lok Sabha Elections announced by the EC, Trinamool Congress MP Sagarika Ghosh says, "... Why are these elections necessary? These elections are a moment of truth for us... Can we stick to one party, one leader, one language, one religion, one dress? Or do we want to preserve our federal, multi-faith & multi-cultural diverse democracy?..."
Lok Sabha Elections 2024 Date LIVE updates: As the Election Commission of India announced the Lok Sabha Elections schedule, Chief Electoral Officer of Odisha Nikunja Bihari Dhal said that the assessment of sensitive and vulnerable booths has been done, but the final assessment will be conducted only after the candidates are finalised.
According to dates announced by the Election Commission, Lok Sabha elections in Odisha will be conducted in four phases on May 13, May 20, May 25 and June 1.
"As per the schedule, the elections to the Lok Sabha and Odisha Legislative Assembly will be conducted simultaneously on four dates: 13th May, 20th May, 25th May, and 1st June... The sensitive and vulnerable booths' primary assessment has been done, but the final assessment will be done after the candidates are finalised... Conducting polls in the later part of May will be a challenge for us because May is the cyclone month for Odisha... We have tasked cyber police to keep a close watch on fake news," said the Chief Electoral Officer of Odisha, Nikunja Bihari Dhal.
Lok Sabha Elections 2024 Date LIVE updates: Congress MP Rahul Gandhi says, "There are a maximum of 5 per cent of people who get justice. For them, the courts, government, and all other institutions work for them. But if we look at the other 90 per cent of the population, they have been suffering due to injustice."
Lok Sabha Elections 2024 Date LIVE updates: Around 25,000 personnel of central forces will be deployed in West Bengal for elections to three Lok Sabha seats in the first phase of polling on April 19, an official said. Voting will be held in Cooch Behar, Alipurduar and the Jalpaiguri Lok Sabha seats in the northern part of the state in the first phase. "Around 250 companies of central forces will be deployed for the first phase of elections on April 19. A control room will be established in each of the three districts, and senior officers will be in charge of those," the official said on Saturday. One company of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) consists of around 100 personnel, meaning that around 25,000 personnel will be deployed for elections in these three seats. (PTI)
Lok Sabha Elections 2024 Date LIVE updates: After the Election Commission announced the dates for the Lok Sabha 2024 Elections, Biju Janata Dal (BJD) national spokesperson Santrupt Misra said that the party was already well prepared for the polls, and now that the dates of the elections have been announced, the preparations will be enhanched further.
"The Chief Election Commissioner of India has announced the poll schedule for the whole of India and Odisha. Every state Chief Electoral Officer has been asked to brief all the political parties. We were also invited, along with other political parties, to be briefed about the plans for the election. He told us about new things and what was expected of us. They also briefed us about the Model Code of Conduct and sort of the whole process so that elections can be conducted smoothly," he said.
Lok Sabha Elections 2024 Date LIVE updates: Congress president Rahul Gandhi is set to commence a 'Nyay Sankalp Padyatra' from Mani Bhavan to August Kranti Maidan in Mumbai on Sunday. The rally at the end of the Rahul Gandhi-led Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra in Mumbai's famed Shivaji Park on Sunday will be a show of strength for the INDIA bloc, with Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav and SP chief Akhilesh scheduled to take part. Read more here
Lok Sabha Elections 2024 Date LIVE updates: As the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) comes into effect with the announcement of the Lok Sabha schedule, Shiv Sena (UBT) spokesperson Anand Dubey launched a sharp attack on the Election Commission, asking why the poll body decided to conduct elections in the Prime Minister's constituency, Varanasi, in the last phase. "The elections will go on until June 1, and the results will be announced on June 4. Counting the days from today. This makes it almost 2.5 months. Who is the EC trying to help behind closed doors by giving all this extra time?... We respect the EC just like we respect the SC because the EC is an independent organisation, but somewhere down the line, it has lost its dignity, but still, we will contest elections. Why have they decided to conduct elections in the Prime Minister's constituency, Varanasi, in the last phase? PM Narendra Modi will reach Varanasi in the end after campaigning all over the country," Shiv Sena (UBT) spokesperson Anand Dubey said
Lok Sabha Elections 2024 Date LIVE updates: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said that he is actively strategizing for the year 2047, stressing the focus on “long-term planning" When asked at the India Today Conclave whether Prime Minister Modi is already preparing for the 2029 Lok Sabha elections, the Prime Minister said, “Find out what Modi is. You are stuck on 2029 but I am planning for 2047."
Lok Sabha Elections 2024 Date LIVE updates: Model Code of Conduct (MCC) has come into force nationwide in India. The MCC will stay in place till Lok Sabha Election Results are declared. The Model Code of Conduct is a set of guidelines issued by the Election Commission of India for the conduct of political parties and candidates during elections mainly with respect to speeches, meetings, processions, polling day, polling booths, observers, party in power, election manifestos, and general conduct.
Lok Sabha Elections 2024 Date LIVE updates: Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar on Saturday stressed the importance of establishing a system to regulate "unaccounted" donations, while also safeguarding the privacy of donors and ensuring they are not subjected to harassment.
Lok Sabha Elections 2024 Date LIVE updates: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will share the dais with TDP president N Chandrababu Naidu and JSP chief Pawan Kalyan at a mega public rally in Boppudi village in Andhra Pradesh's Palnadu district today, March 17, Sunday
Lok Sabha Elections 2024 Date LIVE updates: Model Code of Conduct comes into force; banners, hoardings and posters of political parties removed
Lok Sabha Elections 2024 Date LIVE updates: The Indian stock markets are expected to remain closed on May 20, 2024, the scheduled date for Lok Sabha elections in the financial capital Mumbai and several other constituencies across the country, as per a report by Moneycontrol. Although there has been no official confirmation from the stock exchanges yet, a trading holiday on the polling day is widely anticipated, following the precedent set in the previous general elections of 2014 and 2019.
Lok Sabha Elections 2024 Date LIVE updates: Before announcing the dates for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections at a crowded press conference in the national capital, Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar on Saturday said the poll watcdog has launched a new mobile application called Know Your Candidate (KYC) that will enable voters to find out if any electoral candidate in their constituency has criminal antecedents.
The application has been made available for download on both the Android and iOS platforms, the chief election commissioner informed.
Expanding on the new mobile application, the poll panel chief said, "We have come up with a new mobile application that will enable voters to find out if a candidate, who is bidding to represent them in the Lok Sabha, has a criminal background. The application is called 'Know Your Candidate' or 'KYC'."
Actor-turned-politician Kamal Haasan took a dig at the central government over the announcement of the Lok Sabha poll dates by the Election Commission in seven stages, saying that before implementing the idea of 'One Nation, One Election', at least one election should be held in a single phase.
"Before we try to attempt 'One Nation, One Election', can we at least try 'One Election, One Phase'?" the Makkal Needhi Maiam president posted on X.
Lok Sabha Elections 2024 Date LIVE updates: The Election Commission (EC) on Saturday announced that six assembly seats in Himachal Pradesh will have bypolls on June 1. It will coincide with the seventh phase of Lok Sabha elections 2024. The polling will take place on the vacancies that arose due to the disqualification of six Congress members of legislative assembly (MLAs) who had cross-voted in Rajya Sabha election last month and defied the party whip.
In the state, bypolls will be held in Lahul and Spiti, Dharamshala, Sujanpur, Barsar, Gagret and Kutlehar. These pose a stiff challenge for the Congress government in Himachal Pradesh which seemed to be on the brink following cross-voting in the Rajya Sabha. It had last month led to the defeat of party nominee Abhishek Manu Singhvi even as the party had a clear majority in the assembly. Read More
Lok Sabha Elections 2024 Date LIVE updates: While announcing the schedule for the crucial Lok Sabha elections 2024, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar turned to his poet avatar. Rajiv Kumar delivered multiple poems and couplets in his speech to emphasize his points including the criticism around Electronic Voting Machines (EVM). Read More
Lok Sabha Elections 2024 Date LIVE updates: Election Commission of India (ECI) on Saturday announced that the Lok Sabha elections 2024 will be conducted in seven phases with different states going to polls at different times. CEC Rajiv Kumar mentioned the expansive geography of India and logistical challenges while defending the seven-phase elections. Read More
Lok Sabha Elections 2024 Date LIVE updates: In a bid to curb the distributions of freebies, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar said banks would look if there has been increase in the demand of cash in the chests. "Banks would be sending almost daily reports on suspicious transactions which they have," he said. Read More
Lok Sabha election 2024 dates LIVE: The upcoming general elections will be spread over 44 days, which makes the Lok Sabha election 2024 voting period, longest since first general elections in 1951-52. The Election Commission conducted the first general elections in a four month period, but the voting period reduced dramatically from the second general elections.
Voting in the Outer Manipur constituency will be held in two phases, and those living in camps in violence-hit state will be allowed to vote from their camps, Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar said on Saturday.
As the Election Commission announced the dates for Lok Sabha polls, queries were raised over the number of seats totalling up to 544, instead of 543.
Kumar said the increase was due to Outer Manipur being counted twice, since polls will be held there in two phases.
The elections for two Lok Sabha seats in Manipur will be held in two phases on April 19 and 26.
While Inner Manipur and some segments of Outer Manipur will vote in the first phase on April 19, the remaining segments of Outer Manipur will vote in Phase 2 on April 26.
Ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in the country, Congress leader Pawan Khera lashed out at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) saying that the government has served only the capitalists and some of their friends during their tenure.
"All the sections of the society including women, middle-class, adivasis and other marginalised communities have been ignored," he added further.
He lashed out saying, "The government has not worked on unemployment which has broken the 45-year-record. Issues like women's safety and farmers protesting over MSP have not been paid attention."