Lok Sabha elections will begin on April 11 and will be held over seven phases followed by counting of votes on May 23, the Election Commission announced today. 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.
Shortly after the national election dates were announced on Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in a series of tweets, "The festival of democracy, elections are here." "I urge my fellow Indians to enrich the 2019 Lok Sabha elections with their active participation. I hope this election witnesses a historic turnout. I particularly call upon first time voters to vote in record numbers," tweeted PM Modi.
The term of the present Lok Sabha ends on June 3. As soon as the elections are announced, the model code of conduct will come into force.
The required electronic voting machines and paper trail machines are in place to be deployed in nearly 10 lakh poling stations across 543 Lok Sabha constituencies.
Here are the Updates on Lok Sabha Elections dates announcement:
Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal said on Sunday that he will not contest Lok Sabha election on account of his organizational responsibilities. Mr Venugopal, who represents Kerala's Alappuzha Lok Sabha constituency, said he has communicated his decision to party leadership in the state."
- We assured minimum facilities at all polling stations.
- Efforts are also being made to make elections comfortable
- As you know, 16th Lok Sabha ends on June 3, 2019.
- The Election Commission will ensure free,fair, inclusive polls.
- The scale and complexity of elections has grown over the years.
- We have held meetings with heads of various states, Union Territories
- To ensure smooth conduct of elections, we held discussions with various departments including railways.
Party Seats won Seats contested
- Bharatiya Janata Party 282 428
- Indian National Congress 44 464
- All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam 37 40
- All India Trinamool Congress 34 131
- Biju Janta Dal 20 21
- Shiv Sena 18 58
- Telugu Desam 16 30
- Telangana Rashtra Samithi 11 17
- Communist Party Of India ( Marxist) 9 93
- Yuvajana Shramik Rythu Congress Party 9 38
While the first phase polling was on April 7, the last phase was on May 12.