The Election Commission Of India today announced the?dates for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in a press conference at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi. The polls will be held in 7 phases.?1st phase polling to be held on 11th April, 2nd phase on 18th April, 3rd phase on 23rd April, 4th phase polling to be held on 29th April, 5th phase polling on 6th May, 6th phase polling on 12th May, 7th phase 12th May. Counting of votes of 2019 Lok Sabha polls will be held on May 23.
The model code of conduct is now enforced. As a result, among other things, government is barred from announcing any policy decisions henceforth.?The term of the current Lok Sabha ends on June 3.?
The number of voters has increased by 84.3 million for the upcoming elections as compared to the last one. Nine hundred million or 90 crore people are expected to cast vote in the Lok Sabha elections. The number of polling stations has increased from 9 lakh to 10 lakh.
BCCL
Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora said that examination dates, including those of CBSE exams, dates of religious festivals, and harvest schedules have been factored in while finalising poll dates.
Complaints regarding security of EVM machines have remained a constant affair. CEC Sunil Arora said that last mile transportation of these machines will be tracked through GPS in the upcoming polls.
Voters can use an Android app to record malpractice during elections and send it the Election Commission. A government official is duty bound to respond to the complaint within 100 minutes.