ECI’s Bold Move for Combined Lok Sabha and Assembly Elections”The Election Commission of India (ECI) has announced to conduct of assembly elections and general elections at the same time. ECI has announced the schedule for the 18th Lok Sabha elections and Assembly elections of four states.
The schedule is divided into 7phases where different elections will be conducted in different phases in different states. However, the results of all the elections will be announced on the same day. Take a few seconds to read all about the elections taking place in upcoming months.
Election In Phases:
Rajiv Kumar, Chief Election Commissioner has announced the schedule of the 18th edition of Lok Sabha elections along with assembly elections of Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Odisha, and Sikkim. The election code came into effect on the same date as the announcement of the elections.
As per the schedule and announcement, the 18th edition of Lok Sabha elections will take place in 7 phases in the country. It is scheduled to start from 19th April 2024 to 4th June 2024.
The 7-phase elections will cover different numbers of constituencies where 1st phase covers 102 constituencies, 2nd phase covers 89 constituencies, 3rd phase covers 94 seats, 4th phase covers 96 seats, 5th phase covers 49 seats, 6th phase covers 57 constituencies and the 7th phase also covers 57 constituencies.
Election And By-Elections:
A total of 543 Lok Sabha seats will be elected in the upcoming elections. Andhra Pradesh has 25 Lok Sabha constituencies and 175 assembly constituencies. Odisha has 147 assembly constituencies with 21 Lok Sabha constituencies, Sikkim has 32-member state assembly and 1 Lok Sabha constituency.
Arunachal Pradesh has 60 assembly constituencies alongside 2 Lok Sabha constituencies. Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim elections are set to take place on the 19th of April, Andhra Pradesh on the 13th of May while Odisha will have elections in 4 phases which are scheduled on the 13th of May, 20th of May, 25th of May, and 1st June.
By-elections will also be held for 26 assembly constituencies across multiple states which include Bihar, Gujarat, Haryana, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, and Tamil Nadu. Karnataka is to have Lok Sabha elections in 2 phases, on 26th April and 7th May. Even J&K will have its first elections where the election in the state will be conducted after the completion of Lok Sabha elections in other states. ECI stated that simultaneous elections are not possible due to security reasons where security should be given for each member who participates in the assembly polls in the state.
MCC Issued By ECI:
A model code of conduct (MCC) is a set of guidelines published by the Election Commission of India for political parties and candidate members to follow during election time.. Everything that the party and candidate can do or not will be mentioned clearly in the guidelines issued by ECI. ECI has issued guidelines in the event of elections in multiple states to the candidates and parties who are part of elections.
A few important guidelines that are part of ECI are, that there should be an issue-based campaign, no hate speeches, no speeches along caste or religious lines, and no criticism of anyone’s personal life.
No payment of more than 10,000 can be made in a single day in cash by political parties. Permission for the campaign and other activities should be taken from the government. No campaign should be done near polling areas. ECI has employed 2,100 advisors to track the issues and strong action will be taken if anything is done against law and order. He added voters above the age of 85 years old, persons with 40% disability can vote from home.
Assembly Elections
Sikkim 32 seats 19th April 4th June
Arunachal Pradesh 60 seats 19th April 4th June
Odisha 147 seats 13th May 4th June
Andhra Pradesh 175 seats 13th May 4th June
Lok Sabha Elections
PHASE – 1 21 states 19th April
PHASE – 2 13 states 26th April
PHASE – 3 12 states 7th May
PHASE – 4 10 states 13th May
PHASE – 5 8 states 20th May
PHASE – 6 7 states 25th May
PHASE – 7 8 states 1st June
RESULTS 4th June
Conclusion
A total of 97 crore eligible voters are available in India of which 1.8 crore will be first-time voters this time.10.5 lakh polling stations will be set up for the elections with 1.5 crore polling officials and security staff. ECI will be sending 55lkah EVMs in 4lakh vehicles across the sates.10% of voters are likely to get their first-time vote opportunity. Around 82 lakh voters are above the age of 85 years.
On 14th March 2024, the committee led by PM Modi named two retired Indian administrative officers (IAS) officers, Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Gyanesh Kumar as Election Commissioners since Election Commissioner Arun Goel quit the commission.