Goemkarponn Desk
DELHI: The Election Commission of India announced on Saturday that Lok Sabha elections will be held in 7 phases starting April 19.
Lok Sabha Polls in Goa will be held on May 7 in the Third phase. Counting for all elections, including by-elections, assembly elections, and general elections, is slated for June 4.
With the announcement of election dates, the model code of conduct comes into immediate effect.
The voting for the first phase will be held on April 19, second phase on April 26, third phase on May 7, fourth phase on May 13, fifth phase on May 20, sixth phase on May 25, and the seventh phase on June 1.
A total of 96.8 crore voters are eligible to vote in Lok Sabha elections. Of them, 1.82 crore are first-time voters and 19.47 crore are voters between the age group of 20-29 years.
“The Election Commission has set up 10.5 lakh poll booths which will be manned by 1.5 crore polling officials and security staff. A total of 55 lakh EVMs have been prepared for the voting process,” Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar said
CEC Rajiv Kumar listed – muscle power, money influence, misinformation and fake news and model code violations – as four major challenges in the conduct of free and fair elections. The poll panel issued a stern warning against violence.
He said 2100 election observers have been appointed to oversee free and fair elections. The CEC warned poll officials of ruthless action if they breach the rules set for fair polls.
In 2019, Lok Sabha elections were held in seven phases from April 11 to May 19 and the results were declared on May 23. In 2019 polls, the BJP won 303 seats, while the Congress was way behind at 52 seats. 187 Lok Sabha seats were won by other parties.
The CEC also advised political parties to focus on issue-base
d campaigning and urged them to avoid personal attacks and not cross the red line. The campaigners must keep in mind the guidelines under model code of conduct and ensure that they are not breached, CEC Rajiv Kumar said.
In 12 states the ratio of women voters is higher than men voters,” the Chief Election Commissioner says. “We have a total of 96.8 crore electors,” the CEC says.
“We are also very conscious about sustainable elections as a part of our responsibility towards the environment. That’s why we have issued directions to our election machinery,” says Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar.
“There is no place for bloodbath and violence in the elections. From wherever we will receive the information of violence, we will take action against them,” the Election Commission says. Non-bailable warrants will be issued in case of violence.
“Political parties will have to explain why they gave a ticket to a candidate with a criminal background, and candidates with a criminal record will have to publish information three times in newspapers and other media outlets,” the Election Commission says.
“There will be a strict vigil over illicit online cash transfers, suspicious transactions through payment wallets,” says Chief Election Commissioner.
The Election Commission also states that there will be drone-based checking at the borders, and there will be a 24×7 integrated control room in districts.
