Lok Sabha Election Dates 2024: ECI to announce voting, result schedule tomorrow, March 16

Lok Sabha Election Dates 2024: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has confirmed that the date for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections will be announced tomorrow, March 16. The EC will also announce the Assembly elections dates for some states tomorrow, along with Lok Sabha elections schedule. In the previous general elections, the dates were disclosed on March 10, 2019, with polling conducted between April 11 and May 19 across seven phases. Like the last election, the polling is likely to happen in April and May across several phases.

The tenure of the 17th Lok Sabha is scheduled to end on 16 June 2024.

Lok Sabha Elections 2019

In the 2019 Elections BJP secured a significant victory, winning 303 seats and forming the government. With 912 million eligible voters, the voter turnout exceeded 67%, the highest ever recorded, with a notable increase in participation by women voters. The BJP received 37.36% of the vote, its highest share since 1989, while the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) won a total of 353 seats. Conversely, the Indian National Congress won only 52 seats, falling short of the required 10% to claim the Leader of the Opposition post, with the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) securing 91 seats, and other parties winning 98 seats.





Lok Sabha Elections 2014
In the 2014 General Elections, conducted in nine phases from April 7 to May 12, 2014 the BJP emerged victorious, winning 282 seats, while the NDA secured a total of 336 seats. The BJP's vote share was 31%, the lowest by a majority-winning party since independence, while the NDA's combined vote share was 38.5%. Despite this, the governing coalition attained the largest majority since the 1984 elections, marking the first instance since then that a party governed without the need for support from other parties. Conversely, the Indian National Congress faced its worst-ever performance, winning only 44 seats, and with its wider alliance, the United Progressive Alliance, securing just 59 seats.

Here’s what CEC says
During a recent assessment of the poll situation in Jammu and Kashmir, CEC Rajiv Kumar indicated that the EC will decide on the possibility of holding Lok Sabha and Assembly elections simultaneously or separately in the region after evaluating the security situation and gathering feedback from stakeholders. Kumar dismissed criticisms regarding the perceived delay in holding assembly elections in the Union Territory (UT), citing the completion of delimitation and necessary legislative processes by December 2023.

The CEC emphasised the Commission's commitment to ensuring a fair and transparent electoral process in Jammu and Kashmir, echoing the demand for free and fair elections voiced by political parties. He underscored the importance of fairness in the electoral process, emphasising equal security provisions and a level playing field for all candidates.

Addressing the demographic landscape, he noted a positive indicator with 2,886 voters aged over 100 years. The focus, however, remains on youth participation, with 86.9 lakh eligible voters in the region and a concerted effort to encourage their involvement, he said.

He said that the J&K voters above 85 years of age will, for the first time, be able to vote at home if they so desire.

Technological advancements are poised to enhance the electoral process, with stringent measures in place to curb illegal activities. Vigilance along international and internal borders will be intensified to maintain security.

Addressing queries about voter eligibility, the CEC clarified that individuals with temporary residence in Jammu and Kashmir can register as voters, provided they cancel their registration at their permanent place of residence. Service voters, including those serving in the army or the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) from Jammu and Kashmir serving outside the region, will have the right to vote through postal ballots.

"All District Magistrates and Superintendents of Police have been instructed to ensure fair and unbiased polls in their respective areas," he said, "with any lapses subject to severe action from the Commission."