New Delhi: The Election Commission of India is ready to disclose the much-anticipated schedule for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections and certain state assemblies. The declaration is scheduled for a press conference at 3 pm tomorrow at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, and will be broadcast live across the Commission's social media platforms.
With the announcement, the Model Code of Conduct will be activated, guiding the behaviour of political entities, candidates, and the incumbent government throughout the election period. This set of regulations is crucial for maintaining the integrity and fairness of the electoral process.
The current Lok Sabha's tenure concludes on June 16, necessitating the formation of a new House. The previous general elections, announced on March 10 and conducted in seven stages starting April 11, culminated with the vote count on May 23.
The timing of the election schedule release coincides with the induction of Gyanesh Kumar and Sukhbir Singh Sandhu as election commissioners, filling vacancies created by Arun Goel's unexpected departure and Anup Chandra Pandey's retirement.
This electoral cycle is set against the backdrop of a political showdown between the incumbent NDA government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and the opposition INDIA coalition.
The electorate has expanded to nearly 97 crore registered voters, making it the largest in the nation's history. Notably, two crore young voters between 18 to 29 years have been newly added. The Commission has also completed a comprehensive update of the electoral rolls in Jammu and Kashmir and Assam, reflecting the recent delimitation of constituencies.
This effort, marked by extensive planning and collaboration with political parties, has significantly enhanced the inclusivity and accuracy of the voter lists, setting the stage for a pivotal democratic exercise.
