Lok Sabha election dates likely to be announced after March 9

The poll panel may announce the date of parliamentary election after March 9

The Election Commission of India (ECI) is likely to announce the date for the Lok Sabha elections after March 9, News18 reported citing sources.

The report added that the poll panel brass is heading to states for final checks and the 2024 election calendar could be similar to that of 2019. In the previous general elections, the dates were announced on March 10, 2019 and polling was done between April 11 and May 19 in seven phases.

As the country gears up for the Lok Sabha polls as well as Assembly elections in some states, a team of officials from the ECI are going on back-to-back visits to states these days. The representatives are expected to meet government officials on March 8-9 to check on the Jammu and Kashmir security situation and availability of forces, the News18 report cited sources as saying.

On March 12-13, they will visit Jammu and Kashmir again to analyse the ground situation in order to see if Assembly polls in the Union Territory could be conducted along with Lok Sabha elections.

BJP in UP to chalk out poll strategy on February 20

On February 20, the BJP's poll plan for Uttar Pradesh will be decided before the announcement of candidates for the Lok Sabha polls.

The big meeting will be held at 3:30pm on February 20, ANI reported citing sources. It added that Chief Minister Yogi, Baijayant Panda, Bhupendra Chaudhary, Dharampal Singh, both deputy CMs, presidents of all fronts, regional presidents, and state officials will be present in the meeting.

"A strategy will be decided regarding rallies for the Lok Sabha elections. Rally plan will be made to cover every Lok Sabha of UP by PM Modi, CM Yogi, Amit Shah and JP Nadda," the source was quoted as saying in the report.