New Delhi: Veteran politician Sharad Pawar today said he will not be contesting the coming Lok Sabha elections, saying he has decided against the idea. The 78-year former union minister, who retired from electoral politics in 2012, had created a stir last month announcing a reprise. The party had cleared the decks for his contest from the Madha seat in southwest Maharashtra, convincing sitting lawmaker Vijaysinh Mohite Patil to give up the seat.
Political parties are gearing up to launch their poll campaign from various places after the Election Commission's announcement of poll dates. Congress president Rahul Gandhi is expected to address Delhi Congress booth in-charges today, while DMK chief MK Stalin will chair a meeting of party lawmakers to discuss the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
The national election will be held in seven rounds from 11 April and the results will be announced on May 23, the Election Commission said on Sunday. Voting will be held across India on April 11, April 19, April 23, April 29, May 6, May 12 and May 19.
The elections will see Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking another term in office and the opposition attempting to join forces to put up a strong fight.
Here are the Live Updates from Election Campaigning:
Mar 11, 2019 20:56 (IST)
600 all-women polling booths in Karnataka for Lok Sabha polls
A total of 600 polling booths of the 58,186 voting stations to be set up for the Lok Sabha elections in Karnataka on April 18 and 23 will be managed by women personnel, an election official said on Monday.
"As part of ensuring gender equality and constructive participation of women in the electoral process, the Commission has directed to set up 'all-women managed polling stations'," said a statement from state's Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Sanjiv Kumar's office.
In these 600 women-run booths, polling staff, police and security personnel will all be women.
The state will have 58,186 voting stations for election to the 28 Lok Sabha seats in two phases -- on April 18 for 14 seats and April 23 for another 14 seats. Vote count will be held on May 23.
The southern state has a total of 5.03 crore registered voters.
The number of voting stations to be set up has been increased by seven per cent, from 54,265 polling booths in 2014 general elections, the statement said.
Mar 11, 2019 19:45 (IST)
Over 1.31 crore women and 119 transgenders will be among the total of 2.54 crore voters in Kerala who are expected to exercise their franchise in the April 23 Lok Sabha polls in the state.
Malappuram district has got the maximum number of voters --30,47,923 and Wayanad the least --- 5,81,245, Kerala Chief Electoral Officer Teeka Ram Meena told reporters.
"The model code of conduct is already in place. The notification will be issued on March 28. The last date for submitting the nomination is April 4 and the last date to withdraw the same is on April 8," Mr Meena said.
Mar 11, 2019 17:24 (IST)
When Kerala goes to polls on April 23, the largest group of voters from the southern state will be in the age group of 30 to 39, said a poll official.
Of those eligible to exercise their franchise in the second phase of the staggered process -- 1,31,11,189 are women, 1,22,97,403 men and 119 transgenders.
The 30 to 39 age group would constitute 56,92,670 electorates, while 2,61,778 will be first time voters aged 18-19. There are 20 Lok Sabha seats from Kerala.
Mar 11, 2019 16:53 (IST)
Over 2.17 crore people will be eligible to vote in the three-phase Lok Sabha election in Assam, including 7.06 lakh first time voters, a top election official said here Monday.
Assam, Chief Electoral Officer, Mukesh Chandra Sahu addressing a press conference here, said the number of voters are being updated on a daily basis and the final figure will be published just before the polling.
"As per the last summary revision published on January 1 this year, we have a total electorate of 2,17,60,604 across Assam. Out of this, 1,11,32,782 are male and 1,06,27,319 are female," he said.
Mar 11, 2019 15:34 (IST)
Sharad Pawar was rumoured to be contesting from the Madha seat.
Mar 11, 2019 15:33 (IST)
BREAKING: Sharad Pawar, former union minister and NCP chief, will not contest national elections
Mar 11, 2019 15:28 (IST)
AIADMK said those aspiring to contest in the Assembly by-elections to be held for 18 constituencies have to submit their applications on Wednesday.
In a statement, the party said applications priced at Rs 25,000 per constituency will be available at the party headquarters here on Wednesday morning.
According to the statement, aspirants have to submit their filled in applications by Wednesday evening itself.
The Election Commission on Sunday said by-elections for 18 vacant Assembly constituencies will be held on April 18.
Mar 11, 2019 13:29 (IST)
Kerala Chief Electoral Officer TR Meena tells news agency ANI: "Citing or invoking or doing some sort of religious propaganda based on the Sabarimala temple issue or judgement will be a clear violation of the model code of conduct and we will be taking action."
Mar 11, 2019 13:04 (IST)
BSP supremo Mayawati, on Twitter, says the decision against holding Assembly polls along with Lok Sabha elections in Jammu and Kashmir indicates the "failure" of the Kashmir policy of the Narendra Modi government.
Mar 11, 2019 12:12 (IST)
Mamata Banerjee to meet Trinamool Congress' 12-person Election Core Team tomorrow.
Mar 11, 2019 11:18 (IST)
Telugu actor and comedian Ali joins YSR Congress Party in the presence of party president YS Jaganmohan Reddy.
Mar 11, 2019 10:16 (IST)
Telugu Desam Party delegation will meet Chief Election Commissioner of India in New Delhi today at 5:30pm and submit a representation on election-related issues in Andhra Pradesh.