Phase 1 of the Lok Sabha election 2024 features 102 Lok Sabha seats, 16.63 crore voters, 1.87 lakh polling stations, and is facilitated by 18 lakh personnel.
The Election Commission of India is fully prepared to welcome voters to the 18th Lok Sabha and Legislative Assembly elections, which start today with Phase 1. This marks the beginning of the largest democratic event any nation has witnessed. The Commission reaffirms its steadfast commitment to conducting free, fair, peaceful, accessible, participative, and inducement-free elections.
Over the past two years, the Election Commission and its teams across states and union territories have worked diligently to ensure the best possible experience for India’s voters. This effort has included consultations, reviews, field visits, extensive training of officials, and the development of new, timely operational procedures. Additionally, collaboration with various agencies and organizations across the country has been crucial to the preparation.
The Commission, comprising Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar and Election Commissioners Gyanesh Kumar and Sukhbir Singh Sandhu, made final preparations today at noon for the smooth execution of Phase 1 of the General Elections 2024. The remaining six phases of polling will continue until June 1, involving approximately 97 crore voters. Vote counting is scheduled for June 4.
Important facts in Phase 1
- Phase 1 of the General Elections 2024 will take place on April 19, 2024, covering 102 Parliamentary Constituencies, including 73 General, 11 ST, and 18 SC constituencies in 21 states and union territories. Voters in Phase 1 will cast their ballots in states and union territories such as Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, West Bengal, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Jammu and Kashmir, Lakshadweep, and Puducherry. Polling stations will open at 7 a.m. and close at 6 p.m., though closing times may vary across different constituencies.
- Over 18 lakh polling officials will welcome more than 16.63 crore voters across 1.87 lakh polling stations.
- The electorate consists of 8.4 crore male voters, 8.23 crore female voters, and 11,371 third-gender electors.
- There are 35.67 lakh first-time voters registered to cast their votes, with an additional 3.51 crore young voters in the 20-29 age group.
- A total of 1,625 candidates, including 1,491 males and 134 females, are contesting in this phase.
Information for Voters
Voters should be vigilant against the spread of misinformation and fake news that could sway their decisions or discourage their participation in these elections, particularly false narratives propagated on social media. The Election Commission’s Myth vs. Reality register, available at https://mythvsreality.eci.gov.in/, offers clear explanations and corrections to misconceptions, and voters are encouraged to consult these credible sources before sharing any information.
The ECI KYC app and candidate affidavit portal (https://affidavit.eci.gov.in/) provide comprehensive details about contesting candidates, including their assets, liabilities, educational qualifications, and any criminal records. Voters can use these resources to make informed decisions at the polls.
(Inputs from pib.gov.in)
