Lok Sabha Elections 2024 – Exit Polls: As India gears up for the Lok Sabha elections 2024, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has issued a significant directive regarding the conduct of exit polls and the dissemination of election-related information. According to the official notification, the publication or publicizing of exit polls will be prohibited in the country from 7 am on April 19 until 6:30 pm on June 1.
Moreover, the ECI has extended this prohibition to include the display of any election matter, including the results of opinion polls or other poll surveys, on any electronic media during the Forty eight hours leading up to the conclusion of polling.
The Lok Sabha elections are slated to commence on April 19 and conclude on June 1, making it one of the world’s largest democratic exercises. The voting process will unfold across seven phases spanning 44 days, with the counting of votes scheduled for June 4.
Here’s a breakdown of the election schedule:
- Phase 1 (April 19): 21 states/union territories, 102 constituencies.
- Phase 2 (April 26): 13 states/union territories, 89 constituencies.
- Phase 3 (May 7): 12 states/union territories, 94 constituencies.
- Phase 4 (May 13): 10 states/union territories, 96 constituencies.
- Phase 5 (May 20): 8 states/union territories, 49 constituencies.
- Phase 6 (May 25): 7 states/union territories, 57 constituencies.
- Phase 7 (June 1): 8 states/union territories, 57 constituencies.
With over 97 crore eligible voters and 543 Lok Sabha seats up for grabs, these elections hold immense significance for the country’s political landscape.
Apart from the Lok Sabha polls, several state assemblies, including those of Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Odisha, and Sikkim, will also witness elections during this period. Additionally, bye-elections to 25 assembly constituencies in 12 states are scheduled to take place concurrently.
The ban on exit polls and the restriction on disseminating election-related content on electronic media aim to ensure a fair and unbiased electoral process. As citizens exercise their democratic right to vote, these measures seek to uphold the integrity and sanctity of the electoral process in India.
