New Delhi, Mar 10: Lok Sabha elections will begin on April 11 and polling would be held over seven phases through May 19, followed by counting of all votes on May 23, the Election Commission announced on Sunday.
Assembly polls in Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal, Odisha and Sikkim will also be held simultaneously, the Election Commission (EC) said. However, elections for the Jammu and Kashmir assembly, which was dissolved after the ruling coalition between the BJP and the PDP fell apart, will not be held along with the Lok Sabha polls.
Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora said the model code of conduct would come into immediate effect from Sunday and 10 lakhs polling stations would be set up this time as against about nine lakhs in 2014. Nearly 90 crore voters would be eligible to vote for 543 Lok Sabha constituencies across the country.
Announcing the schedule for 2019 Lok Sabha polls, the Election Commission said the voter verifiable paper audit trail’ (VVPAT) will be used in all polling stations this time.
The first phase will be held on April 11, second on April 18, third on April 23 and fourth on April 29, fifth on May 6, sixth on May 12 and seventh phase on May 19.
Counting of votes for all seven phases covering 543 Lok Sabha constituencies would take place on May 23, Arora said.
In the first phase, 91 constituencies will to go for polls, 97 constituencies in the second phase, 115 constituencies in the third, 71 in fourth phase, 51 in fifth phase, 59 in sixth and 59 in the seventh phase.
With the model code of conduct for elections coming into immediate effect, the government cannot announce any policy move that may impact voters’ decision.
Arora said all political advertisements on social media will need pre-certification. (PTI)
Arunachal Legislative election on April 11
ITANAGAR, Mar 10: The assembly election in Arunachal Pradesh will be held simultaneously with the Lok Sabha election on 11 April. The Election Commission of India (ECI) announced election dates to the Lok Sabha and Legislative Assembly of Arunachal Pradesh on Sunday.
As per election schedule, the date of election is 11 April.
Election notification will be issued on 18 March, with the last date of nominations set for 25 March (Monday). Scrutiny of nominations will be held on 26 March (Tuesday), and last date for withdrawal of candidatures is 28 March (Thursday).
Counting of votes will be held on 23 May (Thursday) and the election process shall be completed before 27 May (Monday).
The joint CEO’s office informed that there are a total of 7, 94,162 electors in the state, with 3, 92,561 male electors and 4, 01,601 female electors as on 4 January, 2019.
There will be 2202 polling stations spread over the entire state, out of which, 11 polling stations have been exclusively set up for female voters, the joint CEO further informed.
As per records, photo electoral roll coverage is 99.97% and electoral photo identity card coverage is 99.97%.
Polling station number 52, SE (Power) office in the east side of Naharlagun under 13th Itanagar assembly constituency with 1340 voters has the highest number of electors in the state, while the Malogam temporary structure in Malogam village under 45-Hayuliang assembly constituency has only one voter.
The highest located polling station in the state is number 18, Luguthang under 3-Mukto (ST) Assembly constituency, which is located at an altitude of about 13, 583 ft.
The joint CEO informed that first level checking of EVMs have been completed in the entire state in presence of political party representatives over the course of past several months.
For poll day monitoring of the poll process in the state, SMS-based poll monitor system will be used and vehicles carrying reserve EVMs will be fitted with GPS in all cellular network covered areas.
A toll free helpline no. 1950 is also installed in the CEO and DEO offices for queries related to elections. Information is also available in the CEO website: http://ceoarunachal.nic.in
The ‘Model Code of Conduct’ also comes into force in the state with the date of announcement of elections.
