The Election Commission of India announced the schedule for the highly-anticipated Lok Sabha Elections 2024 on March 16. The polls will be held in seven phases, starting from April 19 and ending on June 1, with the results being declared on June 4. The Chief Election Commissioner, along with newly-appointed Election Commissioners, announced the dates for the elections, which will also include state assembly elections in certain states.
General Elections 2024: India's Electoral Battle for the 18th Lok Sabha
Background
The General Elections are a crucial event in India's democratic process, held every five years to elect members of the Lok Sabha, the lower house of the Parliament. The 18th Lok Sabha elections, scheduled for 2024, will be the largest democratic exercise in history, involving over 900 million eligible voters.
Key Information
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has announced the schedule for the 2024 Lok Sabha Elections:
The elections will also include state assembly elections in some states, including Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Telangana, and Arunachal Pradesh.
Top 5 FAQs
Q1: When will the first phase of polling take place? A1: April 19, 2024
Q2: When are the results expected to be announced? A2: June 4, 2024
Q3: Which states will have simultaneous state assembly elections? A3: Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Telangana, and Arunachal Pradesh
Q4: What is the significance of the 2024 Lok Sabha Elections? A4: They will determine the ruling party and shape the future of India's socio-economic and political landscape.
Q5: What was the outcome of the previous Lok Sabha Elections in 2019? A5: The National Democratic Alliance (NDA), led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, won a majority with 303 seats. The Indian National Congress, led by Rahul Gandhi, won 52 seats.
Expected Outcomes and Impact
The outcome of the 2024 Lok Sabha Elections will have significant implications for India's political stability, economic policies, and global standing. The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) aims to secure a third consecutive term, while the opposition parties are expected to form a united front to challenge its dominance.
The elections will also be a test of the ECI's ability to conduct free, fair, and credible elections amidst the complexities of India's diverse social and political fabric. As the country prepares for this electoral battle, all eyes will be on the candidates, parties, and voters who will shape the future of the world's largest democracy.
AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal has accused the BJP of "desperately manipulating" voter lists and "eroding democracy" in Delhi elections. He also addressed the issue of misuse of central probe agencies and referenced his letter to RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat. While speaking, Kejriwal alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has inducted corrupt leaders into his party using various tactics. The chief minister and other politicians expressed confidence that the people of Delhi will not fall for the BJP's conspiracies and will re-elect Kejriwal as the chief minister. However, California has taken some steps towards addressing racial disparities and discrimination, but direct cash payments to descendants of enslaved people have not been introduced yet.
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has been named as the primary accused in an alleged scam in the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA). The FIR was filed by the Lokayukta police following a court order, and named Siddaramaiah's wife and another individual as secondary accused. This comes after the Karnataka Governor initiated an investigation against the CM for alleged irregularities in land allotment. Siddaramaiah has denied any wrongdoing and refuses to step down from his position.
During her visit to Puducherry, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman met with Chief Minister N. Rangasamy to discuss the latter's request for special financial assistance. Sitharaman advised the Puducherry government to prepare a detailed sector-wise report for consideration, pointing out the practical difficulties in conceding to the request. However, she promised to prioritize assistance for infrastructure projects and consider requests for assistance from industrial houses looking to set up units in Puducherry. The meeting was also attended by Speaker R. Selvam, Home Minister A. Namassivayam, and BJP legislators.
Activist Snehamayi Krishna, who has been fighting against the misuse of power by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, received a copy of the FIR from the Lokayukta in Mysuru on Friday. The complaint by Mr. Krishna has been upheld as the Supreme Court and has been transferred to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The activist is confident in proving his allegations with documentary evidence and ensuring that illegal sites allotted by officials are surrendered in the MUDA scam.
Former Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu visited the Ramanarayanam Theme Park in Vizianagaram and inaugurated the Valmiki Ramayana Research Centre. He praised Lord Srirama's ethical and moral values and encouraged youth to learn from his life. Naidu also emphasized the importance of Ramayana as a guide for personality development and called for a society without corruption and discrimination similar to the ideal Ramrajya.
Former Vice-President of India Muppavarapu Venkaiah Naidu emphasized the concept of equal dharma for all and urged politicians to not disrespect dharma for their vote bank. He inaugurated the Valmiki Research Centre on Ramayana and also participated in the Sri Ramayana Sankharavam conclave. During his visit to Korukonda Sainik School, he stressed the importance of preserving mother tongue and cultural heritage and promoting national unity through learning Hindi.
The central government has announced a marginal hike in minimum wages for workers in the informal sector, effective from October 1. This move, which is part of an adjustment in the Variable Dearness Allowance, aims to alleviate the impact of rising living costs. The announcement comes amid protests calling for higher wages and the repeal of four labour codes. Additionally, Delhi Chief Minister Atishi has also announced new minimum wage rates, which are the highest in the country, for workers in the unorganised sector.
Himachal Pradesh minister Vikramaditya Singh met with Congress general secretary KC Venugopal to discuss party and organizational activities amid the ongoing controversy surrounding the mandatory display of identity cards by street vendors in the state. The minister emphasized that it is their duty to protect the interests of Himachal and stated that the all-party committee formed on the issue will discuss and brainstorm a solution. The state government clarified that no decision has been made to make it mandatory for street vendors to display their identity cards, stating that the cabinet will take a final decision after considering the committee's report and feedback from the people.
In a disturbing turn of events, armed men claiming to be police raided the home of Daily News editor Guthrie Munyuki in Zimbabwe, after an error in an advert suggested President Emmerson Mnangagwa had died. The men temporarily detained Munyuki's family and examined their communications, causing alarm and concern among journalists and citizens alike. The incident highlights the dangerous suppression of press freedom and the climate of fear and intimidation in the country's political state.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump is accusing ABC News of violating an agreement made with his campaign during the recent presidential debate, where he faced off against Vice President Kamala Harris. Trump specifically targeted moderator David Muir for fact-checking his statements, while allowing Harris to go unchallenged. Despite Trump's dissatisfaction with the moderation, he has not yet confirmed if he will participate in any future debates.