India goes to poll in 9 phases between April 7 and May 12; counting on May 16

 

An estimated 81.4 crore voters will be eligible to vote in the coming Lok Sabha elections.

Ending days of speculations, the Election Commission on Wednesday announced the schedule for the forthcoming Lok Sabha polls.

CEC V S Sampath, flanked by Election Commissioners H S Brahma and Dr Nasim Zaidi, made the announcement form Vigyan Bhavan, a venue that has got preference over the Nirvachan Sadan (EC’s headquarters) because of space constraints at the latter.

Here are the highlights:

# Counting of LS polls will take place on May 16: EC.

# There will be 9 poll days starting from April 07.

# Elections to be held on April 7, 9, 10, 12, 17, 24, 30, May 7 and May 12.

FULL SCHEDULE HERE

# 9 polls days will cover 543 constituencies and respective Assembly constituencies.

# Second phase of poll on April 9 to cover seven constituencies in five states.

# Third phase on April 10 to cover 92 constituencies in 14 states.

# Fourth phase is on April 12 covering three states and five PCs.

# Fifth poll day is April 17 covering 13 states and 122 parliamentary constituencies.

# Sixth poll date is April 24 covering 12 states, 117 PCs

# Seventh poll day is April 30 covering89 PCs in nine states.

# Eighth poll day is May 7 covering seven states and 64 constituencies.

# Ninth poll day is May 12 covering three states and 41 constitutencies.

# EC says all Naxalism-hit seats will be covered in one single day.

# UP and Bihar will be going to polls on the same days.

# Delhi and Haryana will have one poll day, April 10.

# Jharkhand will have three poll days April 10, 17 and 24.

# EC appeals to candidates not to use words that cause personal hurt to rivals.

# There will be flying squads, check posts to keep an on money power: CEC.

# EC has taken measures for expenditure monitoring. Use of money power is a matter of concern: CEC

# Examination schedules for state,central education boards need to be considered for election schedule: EC.



# Strict action will be taken against officials found wanting on any account

# Election slip will serve as a reminder and invitation for voters: EC

# People living in vulnerable areas will be given adequate protection to exercise their vote: CEC.

# Different observers will be deployed across country for the polls: Election Commission.

# V S Sampath says model code of conduct comes into force with immediate effect.

# NOTA facility will be given in 2014 general elections: CEC

# There are nine lakh 30 thousand polling stations, which  is 12 per cent more than the polling stations in 2009 elections: CEC.

# On March 9, Sunday, voters can get themselves enrolled across country. On this day officers will verify electoral rolls and allow applications: CEC.