The Lok Sabha elections, recognized as the world’s largest electoral event, are scheduled to unfold in seven phases spanning 44 days, commencing on April 19. As Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeks a third consecutive term, the Opposition’s unity within the INDIA bloc appears fractured. Vote counting is slated for June 4.
Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar disclosed the poll schedule to elect the 543-member Lok Sabha in a press briefing on Saturday. Over 97 crore eligible voters, comprising 49.7 crore males and 47.1 crore females, are set to participate across 10.5 lakh polling booths.
Additionally, the Election Commission divulged assembly election dates for Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Andhra Pradesh, and Odisha. Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim will conduct polls on April 19, while Andhra Pradesh’s election day is set for May 13. Odisha’s assembly elections will unfold across four phases May 13, May 20, May 25, and June 1.
Rajiv Kumar, alongside newly appointed election commissioners Gyanesh Kumar and Sukhbir Singh Sandhu, also confirmed bypolls for 26 assembly constituencies across various states.
The 2024 Lok Sabha election is scheduled as follows:
- Phase 1: April 19, encompassing 102 constituencies in 21 states/UTs, with 10 states/UTs completing polling.
- Phase 2: April 26, with voting in 89 constituencies across 13 states/UTs, concluding polling in four more states/UTs.
- Phase 3: May 7, involving 94 constituencies in 12 states/UTs, completing polling in six more states/UTs.
- Phase 4: May 13, with 96 constituencies across 10 states/UTs voting, concluding polling in three more states/UTs.
- Phase 5: May 20, covering 49 constituencies across eight states/UTs, completing voting in three more states/UTs.
- Phase 6: May 25, featuring 57 constituencies across seven states/UTs, concluding polling in two more states/UTs.
- Phase 7: June 1, with 57 constituencies across eight states/UTs marking the final phase, completing polling in eight states/UTs.
This comprehensive electoral process, from the announcement of polls to the declaration of results, spans a duration of 82 days.
