2024 Election Date update: Election Commission Poised to Announce Lok Sabha Election Dates for 2024

Posted on : March 9, 2024 By Savan

The Election Commission of India is scheduled to visit Jammu and Kashmir from Monday to Wednesday to evaluate the feasibility of conducting polls in the Union Territory. Following this assessment, the 2024 Election dates for the Lok Sabha elections are anticipated to be disclosed, potentially on Thursday or Friday.

The Commission’s visit to Jammu and Kashmir is in response to a directive from the Supreme Court to organize Assembly elections in the Union Territory by September. Subsequently, the Center tasked the commission with evaluating the possibility of holding Assembly elections simultaneously with the Lok Sabha polls.

“After completing the evaluation and concluding the visit by Wednesday, the commission is expected to announce the Lok Sabha election dates on Thursday or Friday,” a source stated. The implementation of the model code of conduct will ensue upon the announcement of elections, prompting political parties to expedite their campaign activities and project inaugurations.

Regarding the elections in Jammu and Kashmir, the commission has received comprehensive briefings from the security establishment. The entire panel, including Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar and Election Commissioner Arun Goel, is set to visit the Union Territory.

The last Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir took place in 2014, and the state underwent bifurcation following the abrogation of Article 370, which conferred special status, in 2019, resulting in the formation of the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.

During a hearing on petitions challenging the abrogation of Article 370, the Supreme Court directed the Election Commission in December of the preceding year to conduct elections in Jammu and Kashmir by September 30. While upholding the government’s decision to revoke Article 370, the court instructed steps to restore the statehood of Jammu and Kashmir expeditiously.

Since the collapse of the coalition government led by the People’s Democratic Party and the BJP in 2018, Jammu and Kashmir has been without an elected government. The PDP is now part of the INDIA Alliance, but tensions arose after the National Conference, led by Farooq Abdullah, announced its intention to contest all three seats in Kashmir independently, leaving the two seats in Jammu for the Congress.

2024 Election Date

According to sources disclosed to NDTV on Saturday, the Election Commission of India is poised to unveil the schedule for the Lok Sabha elections for the year 2024, likely around March 14-15. The announcement is anticipated to follow the Commission’s visit to Jammu and Kashmir, which is scheduled from Monday, where it will remain until Wednesday to evaluate the feasibility of conducting polls in the Union Territory.

Sources further revealed, “The dates for the Lok Sabha elections are likely to be revealed immediately after that,” alluding to the Commission’s assessment in Jammu and Kashmir.

On December 11, 2023, the Supreme Court of India directed the central government to conduct assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir by September 30, 2024, and expedite the restoration of statehood.

Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud emphasized during the reading of the judgment on the Article 370 matter, “We direct that steps shall be taken by the Election Commission of India to conduct elections to the Legislative Assembly of Jammu and Kashmir by 30 September 2024.”

Earlier clarification from the Election Commission on Friday dismissed rumors circulating on WhatsApp regarding the announcement of Lok Sabha election dates. The Commission reiterated that no dates have been finalized yet and warned against spreading misinformation. The Commission emphasized that election schedules are officially announced through a press conference.

In February, the Election Commission issued an advisory to all political parties, urging them to maintain decorum and restraint in public campaigning. The Commission emphasized the need to elevate the discourse to focus on issues rather than resorting to appeals based on caste or communal sentiments.

The last Lok Sabha elections in India were held in 2019. These elections took place in seven phases across the country, spanning from April 11 to May 19. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, emerged as the single largest party, winning a majority of seats on its own. The National Democratic Alliance (NDA), led by the BJP, secured a landslide victory, winning a total of 353 seats out of 545 in the Lok Sabha.

The main opposition party, the Indian National Congress, faced a significant defeat, winning only 52 seats. Following the election results, Narendra Modi was re-elected as the Prime Minister of India for a second consecutive term.

The 2019 Lok Sabha elections were marked by a high voter turnout, with approximately 67% of eligible voters exercising their franchise. The elections witnessed intense campaigning, with political parties focusing on various issues such as national security, economic development, and social welfare.

Overall, the 2019 Lok Sabha elections were significant for India, reaffirming the BJP’s dominance in national politics and providing a renewed mandate for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership.

As for the upcoming elections in 2024, they are anticipated to be closely watched, with political parties gearing up for another round of intense campaigning and electoral battles.

Certainly! Here are some additional details about the 2019 Lok Sabha elections in India:

Electoral Process:

The Lok Sabha elections in India are conducted using a first-past-the-post electoral system, where voters cast their ballots for candidates contesting in their respective constituencies. The candidate who receives the highest number of votes in each constituency wins the seat.

Number of Phases:

The 2019 Lok Sabha elections were conducted in seven phases due to the vast size and diversity of India. This phased approach allowed for the orderly conduct of elections across different regions of the country and ensured adequate security arrangements.

Voter Turnout:

The voter turnout for the 2019 Lok Sabha elections was approximately 67%, making it one of the highest in recent electoral history. The active participation of voters across various demographic groups underscored the significance of the electoral process in Indian democracy.

Campaigning:

The election campaign for the 2019 Lok Sabha elections was characterized by intense political campaigning, with parties using various mediums such as rallies, roadshows, social media, and traditional media to reach out to voters. Issues such as national security, economic development, social welfare schemes, and governance were prominently featured in the campaign discourse.

Major Parties and Alliances:

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, contested the elections in alliance with several regional parties under the banner of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). The Indian National Congress, led by Rahul Gandhi, led the opposition alliance, the United Progressive Alliance (UPA), along with other regional parties.

Results and Outcome:

The BJP-led NDA secured a landslide victory in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, winning a total of 353 seats out of 545. The BJP alone won 303 seats, crossing the majority mark comfortably. The Indian National Congress and its allies, on the other hand, faced a significant defeat, winning only 52 seats.

Re-election of Narendra Modi:

Following the electoral victory, Narendra Modi was re-elected as the Prime Minister of India for a second consecutive term. The BJP’s decisive mandate was seen as an endorsement of Modi’s leadership and his government’s policies and initiatives during the previous term.

Overall, the 2019 Lok Sabha elections were pivotal in shaping the political landscape of India, reaffirming the BJP’s dominance and providing a renewed mandate for the Modi-led government to continue its agenda of development and governance.

Posted on : March 9, 2024 By Savan