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.
Vaikuntha Ekadashi is a significant day for Hindus, particularly in South India. It is a time to fast and pray to Lord Vishnu for forgiveness and a chance to go to heaven. This year, it falls on January 10, 2025, and devotees celebrate by lighting lamps, chanting mantras, and visiting temples for blessings. The holiday is rooted in the belief that observing it dedicatedly can bring good fortune and a peaceful afterlife.
In the aftermath of a tragic stampede at the Sri Venkateswara Swami Temple in Tirumala, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu has taken swift action by suspending officials and ordering a judicial probe into the incident. Criticizing the lack of responsibility and failure to assess the situation, Naidu's political opponents are also utilizing the incident to attack his government. Amidst the controversy, the temple's reputation for managing large crowds has taken a hit and measures are being suggested to prevent such incidents in the future.
President Droupadi Murmu expressed her distress and offered heartfelt condolences to the families of devotees who lost their lives in a stampede at Tirupati on Thursday. She also prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured and urged for better crowd management at religious places. The stampede occurred on Wednesday night as devotees were jostling for tickets at the Lord Venkateswara Swamy temple on Tirumala Hills for the Vaikunta Dwara Darshanam.
Greenland, the world's largest island, has been in the news for its melting glaciers and concerns about climate change. However, its strategic importance has also caught the attention of leaders like President Trump who recently expressed interest in purchasing the island. This is not a new idea, as previous presidents have also considered acquiring Greenland due to its location, potential energy resources, and role in the Arctic region. This article explores the history of this proposition and the current geopolitical considerations surrounding Greenland.
The Supreme Court has agreed to examine the Central Bureau of Investigation's appeal against the acquittal of Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh and four others in the murder case of former sect manager Ranjit Singh. The case, which has seen multiple twists and turns, has been referred to Justice Bela M. Trivedi's bench, which is already hearing a related petition filed by the victim's father. The CBI has argued that Ram Rahim orchestrated the murder after suspecting Singh of leaking an anonymous letter accusing him of sexual misconduct. The case has attracted widespread public attention due to Ram Rahim's involvement and frequent paroles from prison.
As Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Supriya Sule voices the public demand for Minister Dhananjay Munde's resignation, a petition filed in the Bombay High Court by Dhananjay Deshmukh, brother of the murdered sarpanch, is withdrawn. The petition had alleged that Munde was linked to a criminal syndicate involved in the murder of his sibling in 2024. Sule cites a precedent in which a former Maharashtra CM resigned over a scam, calling for similar sensitivity towards this case.
The Election Commission of India has announced the schedule for the Delhi Assembly Elections 2025, with voting to take place on February 5 and counting of votes on February 8. The recent release of the final electoral roll shows a 1.09 per cent increase in the number of voters since the last draft. CEC Rajiv Kumar addressed concerns over EVMs and the election procedure, asserting the transparency and credibility of the Indian election process. The AAP, BJP and Congress are gearing up for a three-way battle, with the AAP currently in the lead after sweeping 2020 Delhi elections.
With the Delhi Assembly elections just around the corner, AICC Delhi in-charge Qazi Nizamuddin believes that the Congress party will successfully appeal to voters by focusing on key issues affecting citizens. He emphasized that the party only makes promises that have been fulfilled in Congress-ruled states and will prioritize cleaning the Yamuna, improving women's safety, reducing corruption, and addressing unemployment, all of which have been neglected by the current AAP government.
The BJP has refuted Delhi CM Atishi's accusation that her official residence was taken away by the Centre, stating that the allotment was withdrawn for her failure to take possession and ongoing CBI/ED investigation. The AAP leader, however, remains undeterred and vows to work for the people of Delhi even if it means operating from the streets. Delhi's 2025 election poll schedule has also been announced, with voting to take place on February 5 and results on February 8.
During a news conference in Mar-a-Lago, President-elect Donald Trump announced his plan to change the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America. Trump believes that the new name has a "beautiful ring" and is more appropriate, especially given the current state of relations between the US and Mexico. While this isn't the first time renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America has been proposed, Trump's announcement has caused controversy and garnered attention.