Raipur. (16:03): The Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar announced the dates for the Lok Sabha elections, spanning seven phases nationwide, including in Chhattisgarh. The voting will commence on April 19, with results set to be declared on June 4 after all seven phases. In Chhattisgarh, the elections will be conducted in two phases, with voting scheduled for April 19 and April 26. Additionally, assembly elections are slated to take place in Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Odisha, and Andhra Pradesh, while by-elections will be held in Bihar, Gujarat, Haryana, Maharashtra, Jharkhand, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Tamil Nadu, encompassing all 26 assemblies.
The Lok Sabha elections will take place in seven phases, starting from April 19 and concluding on June 1. The term of the current Lok Sabha ends on June 6. In the 2019 elections, voting occurred in seven phases from April 11 to May 19, with results announced on May 23. In 2014, elections were held in nine phases from April 7 to May 12.
CEC Rajeev Kumar emphasized that candidates must disclose any criminal records, and each district will have a dedicated control room. Monitoring of television and social media platforms will be conducted, with a focus on curbing fake news. Rigorous surveillance will be maintained at airports, railway stations, and international borders to prevent illicit activities. Additionally, stringent measures will be enforced to monitor cash transactions in banks.
Tainted candidates are required to declare themselves in newspapers, and the Election Commission is committed to ensuring violence-free and fair elections. Distribution of money, liquor, and gifts is strictly prohibited, and social media platforms will be closely monitored to prevent misuse. Muscle power will not be tolerated during elections.
CEC Rajiv Kumar assured that the Election Commission is fully prepared for the upcoming elections, aiming to uphold India’s democratic values on the global stage. The goal is to provide a celebratory and democratic atmosphere throughout the country. The term of the 17th Lok Sabha is expected to conclude on June 16, 2024.
