LS election 2019 date highlights: EC announces poll schedule, no assembly elections in J&K

By Anuj Cariappa

Updated: Monday, March 11, 2019, 0:01 [IST]

New Delhi, Mar 10: The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Sunday announced the schedule for the Lok Sabha elections 2019. The voting would be held in seven phases between April 11, 2019, and May 19, 2019. The counting of votes would be done on May 23, 2019.

No announcement was made on the assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir.

The Model Code of Conduct will come into force from today.

Here are the highlights from EC's announcement:

Mar 10, 2019, 11:56 PM IST

The Congress also questioned why the dates for Jammu and Kashmir elections were not announced by the Election Commission. Venugopal asked, "Why is the government running away from conducting elections in Jammu and Kashmir? It is a part of India and the entire country wants a democratic government in the state. This is the need of the hour." He said it is the duty of the Election Commission to "foresee the things that are happening on social media" and to conduct a free and fair elections.

Mar 10, 2019, 11:56 PM IST

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, who also addressed the press conference, said, "When opposition parties go into an alliance, sometimes it is post-poll and sometimes it is pre-poll. You should remain assured." "This nation's people have decided that the way this government has performed...people have been misled and there was misgovernance...so when it comes to alliance, the alliance will happen," he said.

Mar 10, 2019, 11:56 PM IST

Addressing a press conference, Congress general secretary K C Venugopal said, "The Congress and opposition are united and we are very confident that we will defeat the Modi government." "We welcome the much-awaited election announcement. We, the Congress, believe in democracy and are confident that this democratic process will dethrone this anti-democratic and dictatorial Modi-BJP government from power," he claimed. He said the party was going to have an alliance in Maharashtra.

Mar 10, 2019, 11:55 PM IST

Claiming that victory will be of the truth, the Congress Sunday welcomed the declaration of the Lok Sabha election schedule, saying the party along with the united opposition will defeat and dethrone the Modi government from power. The Congress also said that it will announce seat-sharing pattern with alliance partners in Maharashtra, West Bengal and Bihar within two-three days. Soon after the announcement by the Election Commission, the party put out a two-minute video entitled 'aarambh hai prachand' (the beginning of something massive), showing party chief Rahul Gandhi meeting the people across the country.

Mar 10, 2019, 11:54 PM IST

"In Bengal, large-scale violence & intimidation in past few elections has been disturbing. EC must pay special attention to ensure that the destruction of Democracy, as happened in local elections, is not repeated. Sanctity of each voter's franchise is what preserves our Republic," CPI(M) General Secretary Sitaram Yechury tweeted.

Mar 10, 2019, 11:53 PM IST

"It is perplexing how the security situation in J&K is good enough to conduct Lok Sabha elections but not for assembly elections which are also due. Is there a diabolical motive?" Yechury tweeted.

Mar 10, 2019, 11:53 PM IST

CPI(M) General Secretary Sitaram Yechury on Sunday questioned how can be the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir "good enough" to hold general elections and not assembly polls. The Election Commission Sunday announced that Lok Sabha polls in Jammu and Kashmir will not be held along with general elections.

Mar 10, 2019, 11:52 PM IST

At a press conference after the announcement of the poll schedule, Congress leader K C Venugopal said people will change the Modi government that believes in all talk and no work. All its promises have remained unfulfilled, he said asserting that it will be defeated when votes are counted on May 23. Senior Congress leader Ahmed Patel claimed the upcoming elections will herald a new era ending five years of "chaotic, despotic and destructive" dispensation and the country will return to the path of "sobriety, integrity and inclusivity".

Mar 10, 2019, 11:51 PM IST

BJP president Amit Shah urged people to "bless" his party in the Lok Sabha election, saying the Modi government has taken bold decisions for their welfare in its first term and will ensure India's giant leap to make everyone "happy and prosperous" in its second. Welcoming the poll announcement, Shah made a strong pitch for the re-election of the BJP-led dispensation at the Centre, saying it has achieved "phenomenal results" in various spheres of governance during this term.

Mar 10, 2019, 11:51 PM IST

As the Election Commission declared a seven-phase Lok Sabha election starting April 11, the Congress accused the BJP-led government of "wasting" its historic mandate, while Prime Minister Narendra Modi sought people's "blessings" for the NDA.

Mar 10, 2019, 7:49 PM IST

"ECI declaring 7-phase schedule for general election to elect 17th Lok Sabha in the country is a welcome move. Crores of poor, labourers, farmers, women, youth etc participate in great strength in polling. Respecting them, free, fair and peaceful polling is utmost necessary," tweets BSP chief Mayawati.

Mar 10, 2019, 6:59 PM IST

"Best wishes to the Election Commission, all those officials and security personnel who will be on the field, across the length and breadth of India assuring smooth elections. India is very proud of the EC for assiduously organising elections for several years," PM Modi tweets.

Mar 10, 2019, 6:41 PM IST

Commission has also directed political parties/candidates to desist from using environmentally hazardous publicity material&promote usage of eco friendly substances for preparation of election campaign material, this is a kind of appeal to everybody, says CEC Arora.

Mar 10, 2019, 6:22 PM IST

"Based on input, constraint of availability of central forces&other logistics, requirement of forces for security of candidates in wake of recent violence and keeping other challenges in mind EC has decided at this stage to announce only schedule of Parliament election in J&K," says CEC Sunil Arora..

Mar 10, 2019, 6:06 PM IST

Voting in all seven phases would be held from April 11, 2019, to May 19, 2019. Counting on May 23, 2019. Here are the phase wise information.

Mar 10, 2019, 6:00 PM IST

Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections dates not announced.

Mar 10, 2019, 5:59 PM IST

Voting in all seven phases would be held from April 11, 2019, to May 19, 2019. Counting on May 23, 2019.

Mar 10, 2019, 5:58 PM IST

After holding elections in Jammu and Kashmir, EC has continuously assessed the situation in state, requirement of forces, security of candidates and preparedness of states. This includes recent developments. State Govt of J&K and Home Ministry has sent detailed statement to EC. EC had recently visited J&K and met officials too. No assembly election is J&K, says EC.

Mar 10, 2019, 5:54 PM IST

Karnataka, Manipur, Rajasthan and Tripura will vote in two phases.

Mar 10, 2019, 5:53 PM IST

Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Odisha will vote in four phases.

Mar 10, 2019, 5:51 PM IST

Phase 7 - polling date - May-19: 59 constituencies in 8 states would go to poll.

Mar 10, 2019, 5:50 PM IST

Phase 6 - polling date - May-12: 59 constituencies in 7 states would go to polls.

Mar 10, 2019, 5:48 PM IST

Phase 5 - polling date - May-6: 51 constituencies would go to poll.

Mar 10, 2019, 5:47 PM IST

Phase 4- Polling date - April 29 - 71 across 9 states would go to poll.

Mar 10, 2019, 5:46 PM IST

22 states would be voting single phase: Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Goa, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Kerala, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Punjab, Sikkim, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Uttarakhand, Andaman Niccobar, Dadra and Nagar haveli, Daman and Diu, Lakshdweep, Delhi, Pondicherry, Chandigarh.

Mar 10, 2019, 5:44 PM IST

Jammu and Kashmir would be covered in five phases of polling.

Mar 10, 2019, 5:37 PM IST

1st phase polling to be held on 11th April, 2nd phase on 18th April, 3rd phase on 23rd April, 4th phase polling to be held on 29th April, 5th phase polling on 6th May, 6th phase polling on 12th May, 7th phase 12th May. Counting of all phases on 23rd May, announces CEC.

Mar 10, 2019, 5:37 PM IST

Phase 3: 115 constituencies will go to polls.

Mar 10, 2019, 5:36 PM IST

Phase 2- 97 constituencies will go to poll.

Mar 10, 2019, 5:36 PM IST

Polling will end on May 19, 2019. Counting on May 23.

Mar 10, 2019, 2:47 pm IST

As soon as the elections are announced, the model code of conduct will come into force.

Mar 10, 2019, 2:47 pm IST

The required electronic voting machines and paper trail machines are in place to be deployed in nearly 10 lakh poling stations across 543 Lok Sabha constituencies.

Mar 10, 2019, 2:54 pm IST

National Conference leader and former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah slammed the ruling BJP after the Election Commission's decision to announce Lok Sabha poll dates on Sunday.

Mar 10, 2019, 2:55 pm IST

BSP chief Mayawati on Sunday slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi and said that the announcement of the Lok Sabha poll dates will protect the people of the country from the "hollow promises" of the prime minister.

Mar 10, 2019, 3:09 pm IST

Congress spokesperson Sanjay Jha on Sunday took a dig at the Election Commission as well as the ruling BJP amid accusations from the major Opposition party that the EC was delaying the announcement of the Lok Sabha dates to give the BJP a "long rope" to campaign.

#BJP’s ejection dates being announced today at 5 pm. #ElectionCommission
— Sanjay Jha (@JhaSanjay) March 10, 2019

Mar 10, 2019, 3:30 pm IST

Since the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly has been dissolved, the EC is bound to hold fresh polls there as well within a six-month period, which will end in May. While there is a view that the J-K assembly elections can be held along with the Lok Sabha polls, a lot depends on the complex security situation in the state given the heightened tension along the India-Pakistan border.

Mar 10, 2019, 3:42 pm IST

As soon as the election dates are announced, the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) will come into force. The Election Commission’s Model Code of Conduct is a set of guidelines issued to regulate political parties and candidates prior to elections.

Mar 10, 2019, 3:44 pm IST

The MCC is a set of guidelines issued by the Election Commission to regulate political parties and candidates prior to elections, to ensure free and fair elections. This is in keeping with Article 324 of the Constitution, which gives the Election Commission the power to supervise elections to the Parliament and state legislatures.

Mar 10, 2019, 3:52 pm IST

In 2014, the Model Code of Conduct came into force on 5 March 2014 when the Election Commission announced the 2014 Lok Sabha elections dates and remained in force till the end of the electoral process.

Mar 10, 2019, 3:57 pm IST

Elections for the 543 Lok Sabha seats have to be held by May. The term of the present Lok Sabha ends on June 3 before which a new government must be installed.

Mar 10, 2019, 4:00 pm IST

The previous general elections, Lok Sabha elections 2014, was conducted in nine phases from 7 April to 12 May, 2014, it was the longest election in the country's history. The results were declared on 16 May 2014, 15 days before the 15th Lok Sabha completed its constitutional mandate on 31 May 2014.

Mar 10, 2019, 4:16 pm IST

Speculations are rife over the number of phases in 2019 Lok Sabha elections. The 2004 general elections were held in 4 phases. The 2009 Lok Sabha elections were held in 5 phases and 2014 Lok Sabha elections were held 9 phases.

Mar 10, 2019, 4:24 pm IST

On the day Election Commission is expected to announce dates of Lok Sabha elections, the Opposition parties questioned the timing of the dates announcement and asked if the poll panel runs from the BJP office.

Mar 10, 2019, 4:31 pm IST

Dates are also likely to be announced for assembly polls in four states — Andhra Pradesh, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh and Odisha. Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora will announce the schedule for the polls.

Mar 10, 2019, 4:34 pm IST

Preparations underway at Delhi's Vigyan Bhawan where Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora will announce the 2019 general elections dates.

Mar 10, 2019, 4:42 pm IST

Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora to announce Lok Sabha elections dates shortly.

Mar 10, 2019, 4:49 pm IST

CEC Sunil Arora and other EC officials arrive at Vigyan Bhawan. The big announcement on Lok Sabha elections 2019 dates shortly.

Mar 10, 2019, 5:02 pm IST

Election Commission briefing begins.

Mar 10, 2019, 5:03 pm IST

"We have made arrangements to ensure free and fair elections," says CEC Sunil Arora.

Mar 10, 2019, 5:08 pm IST

Visited states, met home ministry officials and a thorough process was followed. Exams, festivals, harvest seasons etc were taken into account, says CEC.

Mar 10, 2019, 5:13 pm IST

84.3 million new voters since 2014, 15 million voters in the age of 18 and 19, says CEC Sunil Arora.

Mar 10, 2019, 5:15 pm IST

Stringent security arrangements have been planned for sealing, transportation and storage of EVMs, says CEC.

Mar 10, 2019, 5:17 pm IST

The Model Code of Conduct comes into effect from today. Any violation would be dealt with strictly, says CEC Arora.

Mar 10, 2019, 5:17 pm IST

"We had a fairly in-depth interaction with the collectors, SPs, IGs, commissioners of police and all their colleagues," Arora says.

Mar 10, 2019, 5:18 pm IST

VVPATs to be used in all polling stations this time, says CEC Arora.

Mar 10, 2019, 5:23 pm IST

There will be approximately 10 lakh polling stations in this Lok Sabha Elections as compared to 9 lakh polling stations in 2014, says CEC.

Mar 10, 2019, 5:23 pm IST

Total electorate in this Lok Sabha elections will be 900 million, of which 15 million voters are in the 18-19 age group, says CEC Arora.

Mar 10, 2019, 5:25 pm IST

"Usage of loudspeakers is prohibited at night between 10 pm and 6 am," says CEC Arora.

Mar 10, 2019, 5:26 pm IST

We held discussions with the home ministry. Officials have been slogging for months to ensure credible elections, says CEC.

Mar 10, 2019, 5:28 pm IST

"Photo voter slips cannot be used as standalone proof of identity at the time of casting vote. Instructions of this effect have been issued already by EC. Approximately, 10 lakh polling stations will be set up this time as opposed to the nine lakh polling stations that were set up in 2014," says Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora.