EC briefing Highlights: CEC Rajiv Kumar announces schedule for 4 state assembly polls

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--A total of 2,100 observers will be appointed during the upcoming polls, informed the Election Commission of India.

--ECI held extensive reviews with enforcement agencies to curb flow of illicit money

--Launched C-vigil app for citizens to register poll related complaints

The Election Commission announced that Odisha will vote for a 224-member state assembly poll alongside the 21 Lok Sabha seats in four phases on May 13, 20, 25, and June 1. The dates coincide with the 4th, 5th, 6th, and 7th phases of the general elections to be held across the country. The counting of votes will take place on June 4.

EC announced that Sikkim will go to Assembly and Lok Sabha polls simultaneously on April 19. The state will vote to elect 32 members of the Assembly and one Lok Sabha member.

EC announced the dates for the Lok Sabha polls notifying that the voting in states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and West Bengal will be held in seven phases.

The voting for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls will be held from April 19 to June 1 in seven phases. The counting of votes will take place on June 4.

Phase 1: 19th April Phase 2: 26th April Phase 3: 7th May Phase 4: 13th May Phase 5: 20th May Phase 6: 25th May Phase 7: 1st June

EC highlighted four major 'M' challenges- Muscle, Money, Misinformation and MCC violations that EC will work on maintaining during this Lok Sabha elections.

In effort to make the Lok Sabha elections more inclusive, home voting facility is available to 85+ and PwD voters with 40% benchmark disability, informed EC. Volunteers, wheelchairs and transport facilities will also be available at the polling stations.

CEC Rajiv Kumar said, our electoral roll includes 82 lakh voters of over 85 years of age, 2.18 lakh centenarians and 1.8 crore first-time voters added to list. Total electors include 49.7 crore males, 47.1 crore females, 48,000 transgenders; 1.8 crore first-time voters added to list, he said.

Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar affirmed the Election Commission's commitment to conduct the upcoming national elections in a manner that elevates India's prestige on the global stage, setting the tone for a two-month-long electoral contest.

Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar, addressing a press conference in New Delhi, declared the Election Commission's readiness for the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections, referring to it as the "biggest festival of Indian democracy."

Speaking at a press conference in New Delhi, Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar highlighted that 2024 is witnessing a flurry of elections globally. This observation underscores the significance of electoral processes taking place across various countries throughout the year.

CEC Rajiv Kumar started briefing about LS polls preparations and schedule. He said, we have 97 crore registered voters, over 10.5 lakh polling stations manned by 1.5 crore personnel, 55 lakh EVMs. It's our promise to deliver national election in a manner that can add to India's shine on world stage. Our team is now complete, we are fully prepared for biggest festival of Indian democracy

General Elections 2024 Live: The LDF government in Kerala has announced an increase in rubber subsidy to ₹180, just hours before the notification of the Parliamentary election schedule. State Finance Minister K N Balagopal stated that the decision was made in response to the fall in natural rubber prices, with ₹628 crore sanctioned for pension arrears.

General Elections 2024 Live: If any qualified voter (an Indian citizen over the age of 18) is missing from the electoral rolls or has had their name removed for whatever reason, she can ask to have her name added as soon as possible. The EC will announce how to apply for inclusion in electoral rolls and how to check to see if your name is on them. The legislation prohibits inclusion in the rolls after 3 p.m. on the last day of filing nominations. For further information, visit the Election Commission's website (https://voters.eci.gov.in/).

Perhaps most importantly, with today's declaration, the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) will go into force immediately. The MCC is a collection of guidelines published to govern political parties and candidates ahead of elections. It regulates speeches, campaigning, the content of election manifestos, behaviour at polling booths, and other aspects to ensure that the country's elections are free and fair.

The EC will also offer information on the number of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) machines required to conduct the next election. In 2019, the EC ordered 23.3 lakh ballot units (where votes are cast), 16.35 control units (where tallies are kept), and 17.4 lakh VVPAT machines. Along with this, EC will detail the mechanism for assigning EVMs, verifying their functionality, and storing and transporting them.

According to EC data from 2019, more than 99 percent of eligible voters have received their Elector Photo identifying Card (EPIC), the primary identifying document granted by the EC. If this is not accessible, alternative official photo identity documents such as a passport, driver's licence, PAN card, MGNREGA work card, and AADHAR card might be used. The EC will include a complete list in its press statement.

According to the EC's electoral records, the country's overall electorate is probably close to 1 billion (100 crore) individuals, or 12.5% of the world's population. In contrast to the 81.45 crore registered voters in 2014, around 97 crore persons were eligible to vote in the 2019 elections.

Owing to the size of India's elections, voting takes place over a number of phases. A comprehensive election schedule and a map indicating the polling places for each seat will be released by the EC. In 2019, there were seven voting phases spread over 39 days (April 4–May 19). The day of counting, which generally occurs a few days following the last round of voting, will also be announced by EC.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah stated on Friday that the government's goal for the programme was to tackle black money, one day after the Election Commission made public data on electoral bonds that it had obtained from the State Bank of India (SBI).

Speaking at the India Today Conclave, Shah stated that the BJP and he thought the electoral bonds programme increased political financial transparency.

"To counter the threat of black money, the government introduced bonds. It increases the financial system's openness," he remarked.

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh attacked the BJP over the electoral bonds data list, claiming that the saffron party employs four corrupt tactics: "Chanda Do, Dhandha Lo (give donations, get business), Hafta Vasuli (extortion), Theka Lo-Rishvat Do (get contracts after paying bribes), Farzi Company - Dakait Sangni (loot through shell companies)."

The Election Commission of India will release the Lok Sabha poll schedule on Saturday. Ahead of the announcement, Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar stated, "It is a momentous day. The country will receive the general election schedule at 3 p.m. today."

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 LIVE: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was granted bail by Delhi Rouse Avenue court in the Delhi excise policy case prior to the general elections.

Less than 24 hours before the Lok Sabha and Andhra Pradesh assembly elections timetable announcement, the state government issued directives Friday night, giving dearness allowance (DA) to employees for several time periods.

ECI's Lok Sabha election schedule announcement at 3 pm on Saturday, televised on news channels and live on ECI social media.

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