The Lok Sabha Elections 2024 will elect the members of the 18th Lok Sabha in the upcoming months of April and May. The Election Commission of India will be announcing the dates for the Lok Sabha elections on March 16.

The major political parties have begun announcing their candidate lists resulting in some noteworthy rivalries in iconic Lok Sabha seats across the country. The two main Rivals being NDA-backed allies against opposition alliance INDIA bloc members. INDIA bloc members including Trinamool Congress and Aam Aadmi Party have decided to go solo in some states.

In Lok Sabha elections 2019, the the BJP-led NDA won 353 out of 543 seats.

The country is divided into 543 Parliamentary Constituencies, and each constituency elects one member. The eligible voters directly elect the members of the Lok Sabha during the Lok Sabha elections, which occur every five years.

The President of India has the authority to select up to two individuals from the Anglo-Indian community to serve as representatives. Notably, certain seats in the Lok Sabha are set aside for members belonging to the Schedule Castes and Scheduled Tribes. Read More.

The official dates for the Lok Sabha election 2024 is not announced yet but based on the timeline of previous general assembly poll years, it is expected to take place in April and May.

The Election Commission of India will announce the dates on March 16 at 3 pm through a press conference from Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi.

To watch the press conference held by the Election Commission to announce the Lok Sabha Election 2024, please check this website - elections24.eci.gov.in

The Indian citizens who are above the age of 18 are eligible to register their names in the voter list. Once the name is registered and the citizen receives their voter ID card, they are eligible to vote in the elections.

First time voters can go to Election Commission website to enrol themselves and fill Form 6 to et their voter ID cards to become eligible for voting in elections.

Meanwhile overseas voters should fill up form 6A. For For Deletion or Objection in electoral roll fill form 7 and for shifting of Residence/Correction of Entries in Existing Electoral Roll/Replacement of EPIC Marking of PwD fill up form 8.

The Samajwadi Party on Friday announced the list of 6 candidates for the Lok Sabha elections 2024 in Uttar Pradesh.

SP on their X handle announced the names along with their constituencies-Yashveer Singh - Bijnor,

Manoj Kumar - Nagina,

Bhanu Pratap Singh - Meerut,

Bijendra Singh - Aligarh,

Jasveer Valmiki - Hathras,

Daroga Saroj - Lalganj

TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee during her Kolkata rally on March 10 announced that her party is in talks with SP for a seat in UP. The SP gave the Bhadohi Lok Sabha seat to TMC which fielded Laliteshpati Tripathi from the constituency.

Popular Odia actor Arindam Roy along with several others officially joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Bhubaneswar. In the presence of Odisha BJP President Manmohan Samal, the event took place at the BJP headquarters.

Actor Arindam Roy told the reporters, "I have joined BJP after being inspired by PM Narendra Modi and will work hard to strengthen the party. While I was in BJD, tried several times to meet Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik, but unfortunately due to party politics couldn't get the opportunity to meet him".

The Enforcement Directorate arrested BRS leader K Kavitha on Friday after conducting a raid at her premises in Hyderabad and she was then taken to Delhi for questioning in a money laundering case related to the now-scrapped Delhi excise policy.

Kavitha's legal team reportedly argued that the arrest was unlawful as her petition against the ED summons was scheduled for a hearing in the Supreme Court on March 19.

During the search, ED officials noted that around 20 individuals entered Kavitha's house and caused a disturbance, resulting in a delay in their proceedings. The ED also confiscated five mobile phones during the search.

The Andhra Pradesh government issued orders on Friday night to release dearness allowance to employees for various time periods less than a day before the Lok Sabha and Andhra Pradesh assembly elections schedule was announced.

Special chief secretary Shamsher Singh Rawat issued a government order (GO) for the release of DA to government employees from July 1, 2019, to December 31, 2021. He also issued orders for the release of DA starting from January 1, 2022, for eligible government employees.

Hours before the Lok Sabha elections 2024 schedule is announced, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will speak at a BJP rally in Nagarkurnool, Telangana on Saturday.

On Friday evening, Modi held a roadshow in the Malkajgiri Lok Sabha constituency in Hyderabad. The Telangana BJP has stated that Modi will also attend another rally in Jagtial on March 18.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to begin the Bharatiya Janata Party's campaign for the Lok Sabha elections in Karnataka on Saturday.

He will start from the home constituency of Congress President M Mallikarjun Kharge in Kalaburagi.

The Prime Minister is scheduled to deliver a speech at a public rally at 2 pm in the N V Ground in the district headquarters town.

As per media reports, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Friday said that several party workers from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Janata Dal (Secular) want to join Congress party in Karnataka ahead of the Lok Sabha elections 2024.

Shivakumar reportedly, "We have given instructions to the party workers to facilitate the joining at the local level, as many BJP and JDS party workers and leaders in Karnataka are keen to join the Congress party."

Shivakumar claimed that the JDS party workers are feeling concerned due to the increasing involvement of members from the Devegowda family in politics.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah has reportedly said that the scheme of electoral bonds was introduced to 'end black money' in politics.

As per PTI report, Shah said, "Electoral bonds were introduced to end the influence of black money in Indian politics. Everyone has to accept the decision given by the Supreme Court. I fully respect the Supreme Court decision. But I feel that instead of completely scrapping the electoral bonds, it should have been improved."

ALSO READ | Electoral Bonds Scheme Was Introduced To End Black Money In Politics: Amit Shah

Speaking to reporters, Union Minister Anurag Thakur said that he wants the model of conduct to come to effect 'as soon as possible'.

He reportedly said, "We want the code of conduct to be imposed and #elections to be held as soon as possible."

Ahead of the announcement of Lok Sabha Election 2024 dates, a Delhi court on Saturday granted bail to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in two complaints filed by the Enforcement Directorate in a money laundering case connected to the alleged Delhi excise policy scam.

The Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Divya Malhotra's court also permitted Kejriwal to leave the courtroom as the court stated, "Offence being bailable, accused Arvind Kejriwal is admitted to bail".

The court also instructed the ED to provide Kejriwal with all the documents related to the complaints.

The Ministry of Home Affairs has banned Jammu And Kashmir Peoples Freedom League for abetting sessesion.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that JKPFL has continued to provoke terrorism in the state and thus the consequence. "Anyone found challenging security, sovereignty and integrity of nation will face harsh legal consequences," he added.

ALSO READ | Modi govt bans JKLF (Yasin Malik faction), JK Peoples Freedom League

The Model Code of Conduct is a list of rules and restrictions that is imposed upon the political parties involved the elections and the objective of this is to offer a fair and free polls to the voters and a level playing field for the political parties.

After the Election Commission of India announces the dates for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections at 3 pm on March 16 the Model Code of Conduct will be enforced across the whole country and will be in effect until the announcement of results.

Several changes come into effect once the Model code of conduct is enforced.

ALSO READ | ECI Issues Model Code Of Conduct Ahead Of Upcoming LS Polls | Details Here

Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar expressed the importance of the day hours ahead of the commission announcing the dates for Lok Sabha Election 2024.

Kumar said, "It is an important day. The country will get the general elections schedule at 3pm today."

Ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, Bharatiya Janata Party has released their campaign video with their song "Mera Bharat, Mera Parivar". The video includes several schemes and projects launched by the NDA government and is sung in several Indian languages.

Union Minister Piyush Goyal has shared the copy of the letter written by Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking support for 'Vikshit Bharat'.

PM Modi addressed the people of India as 'My Dear Family Member' and continued to write, "Our partnership is at the threshold of completing a decade. The trust and support of 140 crore Indians inspires and motivates me."

PM Modi concluded the letter saying, "I need and indeed, look forward to your ideas, suggestions and support as we work to fulfil the resolve of building a Viksit Bharat. I am confident that we will continue to take our nation to great heights together."

Goyal in a post on X said, "This letter is a call to reaffirm our commitment towards building a Viksit Bharat together."

On the 63rd day of Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, Rahul Gandhi is in Maharahstra's Bhiwandi addressing his supporters there.

The Yatra is scheduled to conclude at the Chaityabhoomi Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Smarak in Mumbai at around 5:30 pm on March 16.

Hours ahead of the announcement of Lok Sabha Election dates, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed a public rally in Telangana's Nagarkurnool where he expressed confidence that "Even before announcement of poll schedule, people have given their decision on NDA crossing 400 seats."

The Election Commission Of India (ECI) is set to announce the schedule of the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha polls in a televised conference at 3pm today.

Four states including Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Arunachal Pradesh, and Sikkim, will have their state election schedules released.

The conference will also be live streamed on ECI’s social media platforms and Youtube channel.

ALSO READ | When, Where To Watch ECI Lok Sabha Election Schedule Announcement

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said while addressed a press conference in Bengaluru where he claimed that the Congress guarantees to pass a constitutional amendment bill to increase reservation limit to 50% for SC, ST and OBCs if they come to power after Lok Sabha elections 2024.

He also announced 5 guarantees each for 'Shramik Nyay' and 'Hissedari Nyay' ahead of LS polls.

The Congress guarantees a comprehensive social, economic and caste census under 'Hissedari Nyay'.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal shared a video on social media platform X where he spoke in details about his plan to conduct a survey of 'rehri patris' or street vendors in Delhi for accomodating space to them for their business.

He said, "A survey will be conducted of all street vendors/shops and then we will make arrangements for them so that they can carry out their work without any problem. No one will ask for bribe from them, no officer will be able to trouble them."

Former Congress MP Karan Singh Yadav from Alwar along with other leaders joined Bharatiya Janata Party in Jaipur, Rajasthan.

Weeks ahead of elections, Bharatiya Janata Party Rajya Sabha MP Ajay Pratap has announced his decision of quitting the party.

Pratap explained that he wasn't happy with the Lok Sabha nominations announced by the saffron party.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday hours before the end of Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra slammed the BJP-led central government as he called the electoral bonds scheme as "an extortion racket used for toppling governments and breaking political parties".

Gandhi said, "The electoral bonds scheme is an international-level extortion racket and those who protest, the Enforcement Directorate (ED), Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Income Tax Department go after them."

ALSO READ | Rahul Gandhi Slams Electoral Bonds As 'World's Biggest Extortion Racket'

Yuvajana Shramika Rythu Congress Party has fielded 25 candidates for Lok Sabha seats in Andhra Pradesh.

Hours before the announcement of Lok Sabha election dates, popular singer Anuradha Paudwal joined BJP in Delhi.

The YSRCP, led by Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy, has announced the list of candidates for all 175 Assembly seats and 25 Lok Sabha constituencies in Andhra Pradesh.

The announcement was made at the grave of former Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhar Reddy in the presence of party leader Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy in Kadapa district.

Nandigam Suresh, the MP for Bapatla, read out the names of the candidates for the Lok Sabha elections, while Revenue Minister D Prasada Rao did the same for the Assembly polls.

According to the list, B Jhansi Laxmi will run for the Visakhapatnam Lok Sabha constituency, G Uma Bala will be the candidate in Narasapuram, and V Vijayasai Reddy will try his luck in Nellore. Incumbent MP Y S Avinash Reddy will contest from the Kadapa Lok Sabha constituency.

Ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, Madhya Pradesh government ruled by the Bharatiya Janata Party has reshuffled the posting of 100 officers from the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) and Indian Police Service (IPS).

The government issued an order on Friday, reassigning duties for 51 IAS officers, 49 IPS officers, and several State Administrative Service (SAS) officers. The order reportedly includes the appointment of new collectors for Shahdol, Guna, Panna, and Singrauli districts, as well as new divisional commissioners for Ujjain and Shahdol.

Election Commission of India will announce the poll schedule for Lok Sabha elections 2024 at 3 pm today in a press conference. In 2019, the Lok Sabha election schedule was announced on March 10. Polling was done in seven phases between April 11 and May 19 while the counting of votes took place on May 23.

Famous singer Anuradha Paudwal joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Saturday. On the occasion, Union Minister Piyush Goyal said, "I think that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the kind of enthusiasm and excitement has been seen and trust has been built that India is now moving toward becoming a developed nation; there is no power in the world can prevent India now."

"Good people, who have established their name in society, are joining the BJP under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi...," Goyal said.

LISTEN IN

The Election Commission of India (ECI) will hold a press conference at 3 pm today to announce the schedule for Lok Sabha elections 2024 and for four state assembly polls - Sikkim, Andhra Pradesh, Aruncahal Pradesh and Odisha.

The live stream of the ECI press conference can be seen at: https://elections24.eci.gov.in and at Election Commission YouTube channel.

All news channels will also be live-streaming the press conference.

A day after the arrest of BRS leader K Kavitha in a money-laundering case, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday alleged that the BRS entered into "partnership with other hardcore corrupt parties" and also asserted that no corrupt person will be able to escape.

Addressing a BJP rally at Nagarkurnool, about 135 km from here, Modi attacked the Congress and the BRS alleging that both together shattered every dream of Telangana's development.

"The BRS went outside the state (Telangana) and entered into a partnership with other hardcore corrupt parties. That truth is also coming out daily," news agency PTI quoted PM Modi as saying.

"No corrupt person will be spared. Today, I am promising the people of Telangana that no corrupt person will be able to escape. I need Telangana's support in the fight against corruption," he said.

The Election Commission of India (ECI) is announcing today the schedule for Lok Sabha elections 2024 and for four state assembly polls - Sikkim, Andhra Pradesh, Aruncahal Pradesh and Odisha.

Watch Election Commission Press Conference LIVE Here

Chief Election Commissioner of India Rajiv Kumar said that their "team is now complete" as he assembled with ECs Gyanesh Kumar and Sukhbir Singh Sandhu for a press conference to announce the Lok Sabha elections schedule.

Term of 17th Lok Sabha to expire on 16th June, 2024, Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar said, adding that polls are also due in Jammu and Kashmir. He said multiple rounds of discussions have been held with all stakeholders in all states and Union Territories for the upcoming elections.

Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar said there are 97 crore registered voters in India.

Giving more details, CEC Rajiv Kumar said India has:

-10.5 lakh polling stations,

-1.5 crore officials conducting the polls,

-55 Lakh EVMs

Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar said on Saturday that there are:

88.4 lakh PwD voters in India

82 lakh 85+ age voters in India

48,000 trangender voters in India

Growing gender ratio in electoral rolls is a testament to women celebrating their right to vote, the Election Commission said in its press conference on Saturday.

"Efforts have brought women into the process,with 12 States/UTs boasting an elector gender ratio over 1000. Over 85 lakh 1st-time women voters will participate in this year's election," CEC Rajiv Kumar said.

Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar said on Saturday that a "vote-from-home" facility will be available for the first time across India for those above the age of 85.

Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar said on Saturday that party candidates with criminal records will have to declare the same in newspapers thrice, adding that parties will have to inform he basis on what such a candidate has been chosen.

The challenges in conducting free and fair elections are four-fold, the 4Ms: muscle, money, misinformation, and MCC violations, CEC Rajiv Kumar said on Saturday, adding that adequate amount of central forces will be deployed for the same.

Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar, address the press conference to announce elections schedule on Saturday, urged political parties to ensure that polls are conducted without violence.

"Tackling misinformation in today's digital age is complex. We have put certain measures in place to ensure misinformation is nipped in the bud. We're proactive in debunking fake news. Originators of fake news to be dealt with severely as per extant laws," Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar, address the press conference to announce elections schedule on Saturday, said.

The Election Commission said that a concerning factor in the elections is "plummeting political discourse", adding that Model Code of Conduct (MCC) violations will be strictly dealt with.

Hate speeches, private life criticism, misleading advertisements should be completely avoided, CEC Rajiv Kumar said in an appeal to political parties. Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar asked parties to "be civilised".

Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar said in the press conference that 2,100 observers are being appointed to ensure all guidelines are followed.

"Please come and vote", Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar said in an appeal to voters.

He appealed to political parties that while EC is up for an ethical political discourse, parties should refrain from "personal attacks".

EC also asked media to help convey its message to the people.

Election Commission on Saturday announced that voting for Lok Sabha elections 2024 will take place in seven phases starting from April 19, ending on June 1, with the counting of votes scheduled on June 4.

Here's a phase-wise breakup of voting dates:

Phase 1 voting: April 19

Phase 2 voting: April 26

Phase 3 voting: May 7

Phase 4 voting: May 13

Phase 5 voting: May 20

Phase 6 voting: May 25

Phase 7 voting: June 1

The Election Commission on Saturday announced the poll schedule for the Andhra Pradesh assembly election 2024 to be in a single phase on April 18, 2024.

Full Schedule Of Andhra Pradesh Assembly Election 2024

Date of Issue of Gazette Notification : April 18, 2024

Last Date of Nominations : March 27, 2024

Date for Scrutiny of Nominations : March 28, 2024

Last Date for Withdrawal of candidatures : March 30, 2024

Date of Poll : May 19, 2024

Date of Counting : June 4, 2024

Date before which election shall be completed : June 6, 2024

READ MORE HERE

Election Commission on Saturday announced that voting for Lok Sabha elections 2024 will take place in seven phases starting from April 19, ending on June 1, with the counting of votes scheduled on June 4.

Here's the state-wise data in each phase:

The Election Commission on Saturday announced the poll schedule for the Odisha Assembly Election 2024 which will be held in four phases between May 13 to June 1, 2024.

Click HERE For Full Schedule Of Odisha Assembly Election 2024

According to the schedule announced by ECI, voting for the Sikkim assembly election will take place in a single phase on April 19.

The counting of votes and declaration of results has been scheduled on June 4.

Click here for full schedule

As per ECI's schedule, voting for the Arunachal Pradesh assembly election will take place in a single phase 19 April.

Read this article for full details.

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar, while announcing the various poll schedules across the nation, mentioned the much awaited assembly elections will take place in J&K soon after the completion of Lok Sabha polls.

YSRCP chief Jagan Mohan Reddy and TDP supremo Chandrababu Naidu are all set to contest the upcoming polls. This development came on the same day on which the Election Commission of India (ECI) announced the schedules of Lok Sabha polls alongside the assembly elections awaited in 4 states including Andhra Pradesh, Sikkim, Arunacal Pradesh and Odisha.

As the Election Commission of India (ECI) today announced a seven-phase long Lok Sabha polls plan taking place between April 19 and June 1, many have cited the probable inconveniences that can be caused by such a long stretch of time.

CPI(M) leader Mohammed Salim said, “It is a long-awaited announcement that the people of the country were waiting for. This is a delayed process and will be held in peak summer. Being a tropical country, we know the conditions here; I think it should have been held for a shorter period. But anyway, we can use it to our advantage.”

Opposing the decision, West Bengal Minister and TMC leader Chandrima Bhattacharya s"There are states which have many seats. One state has 39 seats but election would be held in just one phase. There are states which have 25 seats, 26 seats, but for them one-phase election has been declared. What was the need to hold seven-phase election in West Bengal?"

Voting for the seven Lok Sabha seats in Delhi will be held on May 25 while notification for the same will be issued on April 29.

In Delhi, the AAP and the Congress agreed to a mutual seat-sharing formula. The AAP has fielded its candidates from the East Delhi, South Delhi, New Delhi and the West Delhi seats. The Congress is yet to announce its candidates from the three seats it is contesting in the national capital -- Chandni Chowk, North East Delhi and North West Delhi.

Congress leader Arvinder Lovely on Saturday said the party could announce Delhi candidates by next week.