ECI Presser Highlights | Lok Sabha polls to be held in 7 phases from April 19, counting on June 4

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Alliance blues for I.N.D.I.A. in several states

It is not just Trinamool Congress but I.N.D.I.A. partners AAP, CPI(M) and CPI and a potential ally Bharatiya Adivasi Party (BAP) are all creating trouble for the Congress by fielding candidates against it in states like West Bengal, Meghalaya, Assam, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh.

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Modi’s election campaign may have already peaked

Prime Minister Narendra Modi likes to win his elections well before the actual vote. Ten years ago, when he was an opposition politician, just securing his party’s backing for the top job was enough. This time around, though, Modi’s bid for a third five-year term might have peaked a bit too soon, with the Jan. 22 consecration of a Hindu temple, built at the site where a medieval Muslim mosque was razed by extremist mobs in 1992.

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Gyanesh Kumar, Sukhbir Sandhu formally appointed as new Election Commissioners

Former bureaucrats Gyanesh Kumar and Sukhbir Singh Sandhu were on Thursday appointed as Election Commissioners, amid objections raised in the selection committee meeting by Leader of Congress in Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury over not sharing the shortlist on time.

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Congress ready for upcoming elections: Pawar Khera

"Congress is ready for the upcoming elections. Bharat Jodo Yatra has highlighted our (Congress') agenda for the Lok Sabha Polls 2024... Congress has brought 'Guarantee'. The people of the nation trust Congress' guarantee..." Congress leader Pawan Khera told ANI before the EC presser for Lok Sabha poll dates.

While we wait for the announcement of LS poll dates, check out live updates of political news from across India right here, only with DH!

Lok sabha polls: A battle of guarantees?

Political leaders, Narendra Modi, Rahul Gandhi, Mamata Banerjee, Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu, Akhilesh Yadav and Arvind Kejriwal.

Promises galore during poll season and the Lok Sabha elections would be no different with "guarantees" from various political parties set to compete during the high-decibel campaign.

This year, it seems to be Modi ki guarantee vs Congress' Nyay guarantees as proposed by Rahul during his yatra.

The EC went through a change of guard before the poll date announcement as Arun Goel resigned a week before and Anup Pandey retired last month

CEC Rajiv Kumar arrives at the press conference with Gyanesh Kumar and Sukhbir Singh Sandhu at 3pm

Announcement for poll dates begin with CEC Kumar making introductions

All eyes are on India where elections are a kind of festival. We promise to conduct elections in a truly festive democratic environment, says Kumar

Every election is a new test, the entire machinery has been trained to to do so to their best potential: Kumar

Our team is now complete, we are fully prepared for biggest festival of Indian democracy: Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar

It's our promise to deliver national election in a manner that can add to India's shine on world stage: Election Commission

96.8 crore voters in India: CEC Kumar

96.8 crore people eligible to vote in 2024 Lok Sabha polls

*1.82 crore are first timers

*19.74 crore are in the age group of 20-29 years

*82 lakh are above 85 years

*2.18 lakh are above 100 years

*88.4 lakh voters have disabilities

Elections are due in Jammu and Kashmir, says CEC Kumar

The term of the 17th Lok Sabha is due to expire on 16th June 2024. The terms of the Legislative Assemblies of Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim are also due to expire in June 2024. Elections are due in Jammu and Kashmir," Kumar says.

ER updation process is rigorous, transparent & participative process: ECI

Total electors include 49.7 crore males, 47.1 crore females, 48,000 transgenders; 1.8 crore first-time voters added to list: EC

More female voters than male this time, says EC

EC says mandated a minimum number of polling booths nationwide to be run entirely by PwDs and women, including women security staff

Electors above 85 years of age and for persons with disabilities across country can vote from home: EC

EC will work hard to ensure no muscle or money power is used, no misinformation is spread and no violations of MCC takes place: Kumar

The daunting challenges in conducting free and fair elections are four-fold, the 4Ms: muscle, money, misinformation, and MCC violations - CEC Rajiv Kumar
ECI is committed and has put in place measures to deal with these disruptive challenges, he said.

For sustainable polls, directions given to election machinery, parties on waste management, minimum paper use, reducing carbon footprint: EC

Verify Before You Amplify' is the mantra to combat fake news, CEC ahead of polls

Remember, 'Verify Before You Amplify' is the mantra to combat fake news. Let's rely on authoritative sources to ensure accurate information prevails. Stay vigilant and help us maintain the integrity of the electoral process," says CEC Kumar

Money seizures rose by 835% to Rs 3,400 crore in last 11 state polls during 2022-23; we won't allow misuse of money power: EC

Strict vigil over illicit online cash transfers, suspicious transactions through payment wallets: Election Commission on poll preparation

CEC Kumar says political parties have been warned against hate speeches, using caste as basis for asking for votes

Urge parties to refrain from personal attacks and foul language.No-go areas in speeches are defined to maintain civility.Let's not cross lines in our rivalry," says CEC Kumar

EC directions to Observers

Bye-Elections to be held in 26 Assembly Constituencies along with general polls

Andhra assembly polls to be on May 13

Lok Sabha polls to be held in 7 phases from April 19

Voting for 60 assembly seats of Arunachal Pradesh and 32 of Sikkim on April 19: EC

Odisha assembly elections in two phases; voting for 42 seats on May 25, for 42 seats on June 1

Voting for 89 seats across 13 states/UTs in 2nd phase on April 26

Courts looked into various complaints against EVMs 40 times and rejected all charges every time: CEC Rajiv Kumar

BJP will lose polls if they are held in unbiased manner: SP's Dimple Yadav on poll schedule

BJP leader and UP Deputy CM Keshav Prasad Maurya has welcomed LS poll dates, says confident of party winning more than 400 seats

TMC has expressed its displeasure with a 7-phase long elections for West Bengal

The Trinamool Congress on Saturday said there is no valid reason for holding elections in seven phases for the 42 seats in West Bengal, asserting that more phases help political parties with deeper pockets.

It also claimed that the Election Commission did not take into account the West Bengal government's suggestion of holding the elections in a single phase or two phases in the state. (PTI)

All development work will stall due to such long drawn elections, says Kharge

Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge has expressed his disappointment in a 7-phase long elections, saying it will hamper development work in country. "I have seen nearly 12 (Lok Sabha) elections and there hardly used to be 4-5 phases, but this time it is happening in seven phases. For the entire period, all development work will be stopped, imagine how the country will progress," Kharge said.

Dissent within poll panel encouraged, EC Goel resigned for 'personal reasons', said CEC Rajiv Kumar at the EC press conference

Voting for 94 Lok Sabha seats across 12 states/UTs in third phase on May

Voting for 96 Lok Sabha seats across 10 states and UTs in fourth phase on May 13

Fifth phase of voting for 49 Lok Sabha seats on May 20

Sixth phase on May 25 for 57 seats

Last and 7th phase of voting on June 1 to cover 57 Lok Sabha seats across eight states