Lok Sabha Schedule Highlights: 'We, the BJP-NDA, are fully prepared for elections,' says PM Narendra Modi

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The Election Commission of India (ECI) stated on March 16 that the Lok Sabha elections in Rajasthan would be held in two stages. Polling is set for April 19 and 26, respectively. The 2024 Lok Sabha elections are set to take place in seven phases, beginning on April 19 and ending on June 1. The results of the elections will be officially announced on June 4. Voting for 12 Lok Sabha seats will take place in the first phase, with the remaining 13 seats being voted on in the second. With the announcement of election dates, the stage is set for a heated political campaign in the state, where the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has considerable power.

Along with the Lok Sabha polls on April 19, by-elections will be held for 26 assembly seats in 13 states, including six constituencies in Himachal Pradesh where Congress MLAs were disqualified for rebellion."There are 26 assembly constituencies where by-elections are due. These are in Bihar, Gujarat, Haryana, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Telangana, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu," Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar said at a press conference.

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar used a verse on Saturday to mock critics of electronic voting machines (EVMs), claiming that the poll authority is frequently the recipient of "unfulfilled desires". He said this to emphasise the fact that even ruling parties had lost elections when EVMs were used for voting. Anticipating a heated election campaign, the CEC also asked political parties and leaders to avoid attacking and vilifying their opponents.

For the first time in Lok Sabha elections, those over the age of 85 and those with more than 40% impairment would be able to vote from home, Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar stated on Saturday. The EC is willing to take votes at home for individuals over the age of 85, and before nominations, they will send form 12 D to their houses so they can choose their alternative.

The Election Commission is likely to deploy 3.4 lakh Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) personnel, along with state police forces, in the seven-phase Lok Sabha elections and assembly elections in four states, which begin on April 19, authorities said.

A maximum of 92,000 CAPF personnel are expected to be deployed in politically volatile West Bengal, where polls will be held in seven phases, followed by 63,500 personnel in militancy-hit Jammu and Kashmir, where polling will take place in five stages.

The EC has reviewed the demands made by the state CEOs and decided to deploy a maximum of about 3,400 companies of the CAPFs in all states and Union territories in a phased way to ensure free, fair, and peaceful elections, according to an official.

Silicon City Bengaluru will vote in April, with significant constituencies such as Bangalore Rural, Bangalore North, Bangalore Central, and Bangalore South scheduled for an April 26 voting date.

Kolkata, on the Eastern side, will be one of the final metros to vote, with elections in Kolkata Dakshin, Kolkata Uttar, and Jadavpur scheduled for June 1. Chennai, on the southern coast, is set to start off elections in key metro areas, with Chennai North, Chennai South, and Chennai Central polling on April 19.

Gujarat's Lok Sabha elections are scheduled to take place in a single phase on May 7, with vote counting set for June 4. Unemployment, inflation, education, and healthcare facilities are key topics on political party agendas.

The ruling BJP intends to retain all 26 Lok Sabha seats won in 2019. Gujarat is expected to play a significant role in deciding the outcome of the lower House elections. Notably, in the 2014 and 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the saffron party won all 26 seats in the state. Gujarat is an important political battleground in the approaching elections because it is home to both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

The Assembly election in Jammu and Kashmir will take place after the Lok Sabha elections because holding both at the same time is not feasible from a security standpoint, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar said on Saturday as he announced the general election schedule as well as some Assembly and by-polls.

When asked why Assembly elections are not being held in Jammu and Kashmir alongside the Lok Sabha election, the CEC stated that forces must be supplied to each candidate in the Union Territory, which is not practicable while elections are being held across the country.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh posted on X saying that this time in the polls, the BJP hopes to win 370 seats, and its will to take the NDA beyond 400 has given workers across India fresh energy. "For us, this election is not just for gaining power but also an expression of our dedication and ability to work towards the resolve of building a developed India under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi," he added.

Former Chief Election Commissioner of India SY Quraishi commented on the 2024 Lok Sabha election schedule saying, “They (the Election Commission) had been working on it for four years. The schedule has been announced looking at local holidays, examinations and agricultural season. The schedule that has been announced was completely predictable, it is almost a repetition of the last elections."

As the date for the 2024 Lok Sabha election is revealed, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor stated " This is an election that will decide the future of India. What kind of India do you want to leave behind to your children? What kind of India do you want to live in? If BJP comes to power again, they have a vision of one language, one nation, one religion, one leader, one party and one election as well. That is going to be their approach whereas ours is, inclusion of celebrating diversity and pluralism and all the wonderful characteristics we in Kerala have got used to and love so much..."

Prime Minister Modi said in a comprehensive thread on X that ten years ago before the Modi government took office, there was a great sense of dissatisfaction due to the INDI Alliance's miserable governance. Scams and policy congestion affected every sector. The world had given up on India.

He also took the opportunity to highlight India's achievements. We have become the fifth largest economy and crores of people have been freed from poverty. Our schemes have reached all parts of India and the emphasis of saturation has yielded great results.”

Prime Minister Modi declared in a social media post on X that if the Modi-led government is elected for a third term, the focus will be on combating poverty and corruption. There will be a significant focus on social justice.

“We are going to work towards making India the third largest global economy. We will further cement our effort for fulfilling the dreams of the youth,” he posted.

For the first time in more than 20 years, the results of the Lok Sabha Elections - termed the biggest festival of democracy by Prime Minister Narendra Modi - will be declared in June. The 18th Lok Sabha elections, comprising 543 seats, will be conducted in seven phases commencing from April 19, with the results slated to be out on June 4, the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) announced during the Election Commission of India's (ECI) press briefing at New Delhi's Vigyan Bhawan on March 16. Read More

Maharashtra will vote in five phases at the next general election. Voting will take place from April 19 to May 20. Voting for the 18th Lok Sabha will take place from April 19 to June 1, the Election Commission of India stated in a press conference earlier today. After Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra is the most important political state in the country, sending 48 members to the lower house, the second highest number among all states.

The Election Commission has declared that voting for Bihar's 40 Lok Sabha constituencies will take place in seven phases between April 19 and June 1. Lok Sabha elections in West Bengal will take place in seven phases from April 19 till June 1 across 42 seats.

The results will be announced on June 4.

With Nitish Kumar making yet another U-turn and aligning with the BJP, the Lok Sabha Elections 2024 in Bihar will be closely monitored. Bihar, with 40 seats, is one of the most important heartland states in the country, with political implications for both the BJP and the Congress.

The Lok Sabha elections will take place in the national capital, New Delhi in a single phase on May 25, the Election Commission of India (EC) declared on Saturday. The results will be announced on June 4, when the votes are counted.

The Election Commission has announced the date for Arunachal Pradesh's Assembly elections, which will be held concurrently with the Lok Sabha elections. Arunachal Pradesh will have elections for its 60 assembly seats on April 19, 2024, coinciding with the first phase of the federal elections in 2024.

Phase 1 elections will take place on April 19, and nominations must be submitted by March 27. Elections will be place in 21 states and union territories.

Phase 2 elections will begin on April 26; the deadline for candidate nominations is April 4.The second phase will encompass 12 states and union territories.

The Phase 3 elections will be held on May 7, and the deadline for candidate nominations is April 19. The third phase will include 12 states and union territories.

The Phase 4 elections will be place on May 13, with the deadline for candidate nominations being April 25.The fourth phase will encompass ten states and union territories.

The Phase 5 elections will be place on May 20, with the deadline for candidate nominations being May 3. The fifth phase will include eight states and union territories.

Phase 6 elections will be place on May 25; the deadline for candidate nominations is May 6.The sixth phase will include seven states and union territories.

The Phase 7 elections will be place on June 1, with the deadline for candidate nominations being May 14. The seventh phase will include eight states and union territories.

CEC Rajiv Kumar said that first phase to be held on 19th April for 102 seats, second phase on 26th April for 89 seats, third phase on 7th May for 94 seats, fourth phase on 13th May 96 seats, fifth phase on 20th May for 49 seats, sixth phase on 25th May for 57 seats and the seventh phase on 1st June for 57 seats.

Andhra Pradesh and Odisha will hold assembly elections on May 13, while Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim will hold elections on April 19; and vote counting will take place on June 4.

Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar has announced that the elections will be conducted in 7 phases and the results will be declared on June 4.

Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar's Shayari urges voters not to share fake news or unverified information.

The enormous hurdles in holding free and fair elections are four-fold: muscle, money, misinformation, and MCC violations - CEC Rajiv Kumar. ECI has implemented initiatives to address these disruptive challenges.

This time there are 1.8cr 1st-time voters and 19.74 cr young voters in 20-29 age grp. "Women participation has increased in our election cycle. Youth will not only vote but will become our ambassadors. We will reach everywhere in the country to make people vote," stated Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar.

The last 11 state elections were peaceful, violence-free, and had almost no recounts; we will continue to improve in the future, said CEC Rajiv Kumar.

Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar said that India has 97 crore registered voters, 10.5 lakhs polling stations, 1.5 crore polling officials and security staff, 55 lakhs EVMs, and 4 lakhs vehicles.

Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar says "We are committed to give the nation a truly festive, democratic environment. The term of the 17th Lok Sabha is due to expire on 16th June 2024. The terms of the Legislative Assemblies of Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim are also due to expire in June 2024. Elections are due in Jammu and Kashmir."

Rajiv Kumar, Chief Election Commissioner, has joined other guests at the venue where he will be briefing about the election dates.

Congress General Secretary-Organisation KC Venugopal says, "...The route used to give electoral bonds to BJP...It is clearly corruption. In the coming days, the country will come to know more about it. We are ready for elections...Can you imagine the principal opposition party's bank accounts are frozen before elctions?" On Bharat Jodo Nyaya Yatra, he says, "Tamil Nadu CM, Akshi lesh, Tejashvi and Lalu ji, Jharkhand CM and other political leaders are coming."

Telangana CM Revanth Reddy says, "...Whenever elections approach they (BJP) try to use the frontal organisations (ED, CBI). This case (delhi excise policy case) has nothing to do with Telangana. This case is connected to Delhi & it is made against the Kejriwal government...I don't change my stand, I am still supporting my party stand. They (agencies) are playing to the tunes of PM Modi. Just a day before the notification (election dates) they have arrested K Kavitha, for the political benefit of BRS & BJP...This arrest is part of politics."

Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra: "This yatra is different and it is about the five 'nyays'. The country needs justice because people are suffering. The youth are disappointed due to unemployment, farmers are crying for the right price for their products, women of this country are worried because of the price rise and their self-respect," says Congress leader KC Venugopal.

- A day after the expansion of his cabinet, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Saturday allocated portfolios to the ministers of the NDA government.

- While Kumar retained the Home and General Administration departments, Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary has been given Finance and Commercial department portfolios.

- Another Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sinha, who is also from the BJP, has been given portfolios of Road Construction, Mines and Geology and Art & Culture departments, a notification issued by the Cabinet Secretariat department said on Saturday.

Andhra Pradesh CM YS Jagan Mohan Reddy holds a press conference to announce YSR Congress candidates for Lok Sabha, Assembly elections.

Lok Sabha elections 2024: "The model code of conduct will get implemented from today. All our programme from tomorrow will be organised in line with the model code of conduct," says Uttarakhand BJP president Mahendra Bhatt.

- Famous singer Anuradha Paudwal joins the Bharatiya Janata Party in Delhi.

- On being asked if she will contest the Lok Sabha elections, she says, "I don't know yet, whatever suggestion they give me..."

- Punjab Chief Minister and AAP leader Bhagwant Mann on Saturday said his party will seek votes on the basis of works undertaken by his government in the state in the last two years. Mann-led dispensation completed two years in office on Friday. Mann-led dispensation completed two years in office on Friday.

- After the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) stormed to power by winning 92 out of 117 seats in the state during the state assembly polls, Mann had taken oath as the chief minister at Khatkar Kalan on March 16, 2022. Khatkar Kalan in SBS Nagar is legendary martyr Bhagat Singh's ancestral place. Khatkar Kalan in SBS Nagar is legendary martyr Bhagat Singh's ancestral place.

- Mann along with his wife on Saturday offered prayers at Gurdwara Amb Sahib in Mohali on the completion of two years of his government. "I prayed for the progress of Punjab," said Mann after offering prayers at the historic gurdwara. "I prayed for the progress of Punjab," said Mann after offering prayers at the historic gurdwara.

Congress also guarantees it will pass a constitutional amendment bill to increase reservation limit to 50% for SC, ST and OBCs: Party chief

Here’s what TMC leader Kunal Ghosh said on the Lok Sabha elections.

“BJP will not cross 200, including NDA. For BJP alone, it will be tough for them to cross 100 seats. They know it very well. Therefore, they are spreading confusion saying (they will win over) 400 seats.”

Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge announces another 5 guarantees each for 'Shramik Nyay' and 'Hissedari Nyay', ahead of LS polls

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 LIVE: "The election dates (for Lok Sabha polls 2024) will be announced in Delhi in some time. However, people of the country have already announced the results even before the election dates are officially announced. The country has announced 'abki baar 400 paar', and the crowd here at Nagarkurnool is a testimony to that," says PM Modi, addressing a public meeting in Telangana's Nagarkurnool.

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 LIVE: Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge says, "Since its inception, Congress party has championed the rights of labourers and workers. The party enacted numerous laws for social security, fair wages and improving conditions for workers. Unfortunately, in this one decade, Modi ji has weakened all labour laws and also the welfare schemes for workers. Even the MNREGA workers are not getting their full wages and regular money is also not released to the state govt."

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 LIVE: PM Modi addresses a public rally in Telangana's Nagarkurnool.

"Modi's family are the 140 crore Indians. For the last 23 years, earlier working as CM and now as PM, you gave me a chance to serve. I never used any day for myself. If I have lived and worked day and night, it has been for 140 crore family members. Modi ki guarantee means - the guarantee of fulfilling the guarantee given."

- Bharatiya Janata Party's Rajya Sabha member from Madhya Pradesh, Ajay Pratap Singh, on Saturday said he has resigned from the party's primary membership, saying he was not happy with the ruling outfit's process of selecting candidates for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.

- Singh shared his resignation letter in a post on his official X account on Saturday morning.

- "I am resigning from the primary membership of the party," he stated in the one-line letter addressed to BJP chief J P Nadda.

Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra: Here’s what Congress MP Rahul Gandhi said while addressing a public gathering in Thane, Maharashtra. “PM Modi used to say that he wants to remove corruption. However, he created a whole structure of electoral bonds through which big companies donate thousands of crores rupees to him”

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 LIVE: On ECI to announce Lok Sabha Poll dates, RJD MP and party's national spokesperson Manoj Kumar Jha says, "...We want to see the Election Commission as an unbiased institution. The appointments that have been made are all as per the govt decision but they (election commissioners) should understand that they're the 'Panch Parmeshwar'. They should live by article 324, that is to conduct free and fair elections..."

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 LIVE: "We have made all the preparations," says Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar in response to a media query on arrangements made for especially abled voters for Lok Sabha elections 2024.

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 LIVE: On ECI to announce Lok Sabha Poll dates, Deputy CM Chhattisgarh Arun Sao says, "BJP is ready for the elections. Just after the Assembly elections, the BJP started its preparation for the Lok Sabha elections... All 11 candidates have been announced from the BJP whereas Congress is finding it difficult to have 11 candidates. Congress doesn't have any issue to raise, they should talk about the developmental issues but they are leaderless and visionless, and that's why no one wants to contest elections on their ticket."

Ahead of Lok Sabha polls schedule announcement, Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar says, "It is an important day. The country will get the general elections schedule at 3pm today."

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 LIVE: On ECI to announce Lok Sabha Poll dates, RJD leader Mrityunjay Tiwari says, "This time, people of the nation will fight against BJP. Everyone is determined to remove the BJP from power. On K Kavitha's arrest by ED, he says, "Now the government agencies want to arrest every leader of the opposition. BJP is determined to create an opposition-free India."

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 LIVE: On Lok Sabha elections schedule to be announced today, Union Minister and BJP leader Kaushal Kishore, in UP's Lucknow, says, Following Model Code of Conduct, we will go among the public to spread PM Modi's message. In Mohanlalganj, I am getting public support by way of 10,000 people from the public depositing Re 1 each towards my nomination fee. I express my gratitude to them."

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 LIVE: Congress Working Committee meeting to be held in Delhi on March 19 to finalise the manifesto for Lok Sabha polls and discussion on strategy for the elections.

- Lok Sabha Elections 2024 LIVE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday shared a campaign video “Main Modi Ka Parivar Hun” ahead of the announcement of the Lok Sabha elections.

- The musical video highlights people benefitting from various welfare schemes, ranging from those for farmers to poor households, as they pledge their support to the prime minister, saying they are Modi’s family.

- The prime minister has often addressed people as “my family members” and a recent jibe by opposition leader Lalu Prasad Yadav that he has no family has prompted him to emphasise his connection with people of the country who, Modi has asserted, are his family members.

- “The public of Churu Lok Sabha will take a positive decision and Congress party will win,” says Congress leader Rahul Kaswan.

- Earlier this week, Rahul Kaswan resigned from the BJP and joined the Congress in the presence of party chief Mallikarjun Kharge in Delhi.

Here’s what Uttarakhand Assembly LoP Yashpal Arya said on preparations ahead of Lok Sabha elections in the state.

“Announcement has not been made yet for 'Aachar Sanhita' (in Uttarakhand). However, the Congress party is completely ready for the Lok Sabha elections. Considering the kind of environment we have in this country and Uttarakhand, the situation has become worse and the government (BJP) is immersed in corruption.”

On the Election Commission of India and fair conduct of elections, Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury says, "The Election Commission must be unbiased. It should not belong to any party. When the code of conduct is implemented, the ruling party tries to lure the voters... The conduct of the Election Commission should be the same and fair for everyone..."

Rahul Gandhi's Bharat Jodo Yatra in Mumbai today, State Congress President Nana Patole says, "Maharashtra Congress is completely ready for elections. The people of Maharashtra have only one aim- to throw the BJP out of power. Modi govt ne sapne bech ke desh bechne ka kaam kiya hai."

- Trinamool Congress (TMC) MPs Arjun Singh and Dibyendu Adhikari joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on March 15 ahead of the crucial Lok Sabha polls likely to be held in April-May this year.

- BJP leaders Dushyant Gautam and Amit Malviya were present as the two MPs joined the saffron party.

- The Bharatiya Janata Party was by far the biggest beneficiary of the electoral bonds scheme, receiving Rs 6,061 crore as political donations in the last five years, according to data submitted by State Bank of India (SBI) to the Election Commission of India of March 14. This amounts to 48 percent of all electoral bonds encashed by political parties since the start of 2019-20 and before it was ruled unconstitutional by the Supreme Court earlier this year.

- At second place is Trinamool Congress, which mopped up Rs 1,610 crore, followed by the Indian National Congress at Rs 1,422 crore.

- Rounding off the top five are Bharat Rashtra Samithi, formerly Telangana Rashtra Samithi, with Rs 1,215 crore and the Biju Janata Dal with Rs 776 crore.

- Jharkhand Chief Minister Champai Soren on Friday said the names of party candidates for the upcoming parliamentary elections will be announced in the next couple of days.

- Soren emphasised the need for party workers to gear up and ensure victory for the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) in the general election. "We have discussed party's poll preparation with party leaders and workers at a meeting held here today," he said after the meeting. (PTI)

The Samajwadi Party on Friday announced six candidates from Uttar Pradesh for the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

The party announced the six candidates on X(formerly known as Twitter): Yashveer Singh (Bijnor), Manoj Kumar (Nagina), Bhanu Pratap Singh (Meerut), Bijendra Singh (Aligarh), Jasveer Valmiki (Hathras), and Daroga Saroj (Lalganj). Read more.

In 2019, the Lok Sabha elections were announced on March 10 and took place in seven phases from April 11 to May 19. The results were declared on May 23.

- Less than 24 hours before the announcement of the Lok Sabha and Andhra Pradesh assembly elections schedule, the state government Friday night issued orders for releasing dearness allowance (DA) to employees pertaining to multiple time periods. Special chief secretary (finance) Shamsher Singh Rawat issued a government order (GO) for the release of DA to government employees for the period from July 1, 2019 to December 31, 2021.

- He issued orders for the release of DA with effect from January 1, 2022 to eligible government employees. Likewise, the special chief secretary said the government has issued orders to release DA raising it from 22.75 per cent to 26.39 per cent of the basic pay with effect from July 1, 2022.

Following the announcement of the Lok Sabha election date in 2024, the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) will come into effect. This means that political parties, candidates, and the government will have to adhere to the Election Commission of India's (ECI) prescribed guidelines regarding their speeches, announcements, election manifestos, and other related matters.

About 960 million voters will be eligible to cast their votes in the coming general election, which will be the biggest democratic exercise in the world.

- On March 14, the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led three-member committee picked Gyanesh Kumar and Sukhbir Singh Sandhu as election commissioners. The law ministry issued a notification announcing the appointments.

- Sukhbir Singh Sandhu is a retired IAS officer of 1998 batch. He served as the chief secretary of Uttarakhand. He was appointed the chief secretary when Pushkar Singh Dhami became the chief minister in 2021. Earlier, Sandhu served as the chairman of the National Highways Authority of India. He also served as additional secretary, Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Human Resource Development.

- Gyanesh Kumar is a retired 1988-batch Kerala-cadre IAS officer. He served as secretary in the ministry of cooperation led by Amit Shah. Previously, he served as the secretary at the ministry of parliamentary affairs. Kumar retired from the services after his superannuation on January 31, 2024.

The general election is usually held in multiple phases across the 543 constituencies and the results are announced on a single day, usually in May. Last time, the Lok Sabha polls were announced on March 10 and held in seven phases beginning April 11 to May 19. Votes were counted on May 23.

- The term of the current Lok Sabha ends on June 16 and a new House has to be constituted before that.

- The term of the assemblies in Andhra Pradesh, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh and Odisha is coming to an end on various dates in June.

- The poll body's social media platforms will stream the press conference live, according to the announcement on March 15.

- "Press conference by Election Commission to announce schedule for general elections 2024 & some state assemblies will be held at 3pm March 16. It will livestreamed on social media platforms of the ECI," it said.

Parties from both national and regional scopes have already started revealing their nominees for the 543 parliamentary seats. For the Lok Sabha elections, the Congress has disclosed the names of 82 candidates over two lists, while the BJP has so far issued two lists totaling 267 candidates.

- The Election Commission will announce the schedule for the Lok Sabha polls as well as the assembly elections in four states (Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim) on March 16.

- The media briefing will begin at 3pm and is expected to be led by chief election commissioner Rajiv Kumar.