The biggest show of democracy on earth has begun
The Chief Election Commissioner of India, Rajiv Kumar, has announced the timeline for the election of India today (i.e. 16th March 2024). An estimated 969 million voters are eligible to cast their ballots. These voters will elect 543 politicians to the Lok Sabha, the lower house of Parliament. Two other members are nominated to make up a total strength of 545 in the lower house of the Parliament.The election process which started today will continue for 82 days until results are announced on 4th June. Voting will run in seven phases from 19th April 19 to 1st June. After 19th April, the other voting dates are 26th April, 7th May, 13th May, 20th May, 25th May and 1st June. The counting of votes will take place on 4th June 2024.
It is also important to note that the Assembly elections for the states of Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Odisha and Sikkim will also take place along with the Lok Sabha election.
Some states will complete voting on a single day, while some others will have voting in more than one phase. Bihar, West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh are three major states where voting will take place in all the seven phases.
From today, 'Achar Sanhita' (Code of Conduct) has come into force. This means that the Central Government and the State Governments won't be able to announce any new scheme or programme till the result is announced.
Let us all take part in the biggest show of democracy in the world. Let us all vote to elect the most deserving member and the most deserving political party.