Lok Sabha Election Date 2024 Live Updates: Congress has only one agenda - to 'use and throw' - its alliance partners says, PM Modi
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  • Lok Sabha Election Date 2024 Live Updates: Congress has only one agenda - to 'use and throw' - its alliance partners says, PM Modi
THE TIMES OF INDIA | Mar 17, 2024, 22:52:43 IST
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Lok Sabha Election Date 2024 Live Updates: Congress has only one agenda - to 'use and throw' - its alliance partners says, PM Modi

Lok Sabha Election Date 2024 Live: A day after announcing poll dates for 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Election Commission on Sunday released new information on electoral bonds, previously submitted to the Supreme Court in sealed covers. This data is related to transactions before April 12, 2019. The details of electoral bonds post this date were disclosed by the Election Commission last week. Political parties complied with the Supreme Court's directive from April 12, 2019, by submitting electoral bond data in sealed covers. The received data was sent to the Supreme Court without being opened. Following the Supreme Court's order from March 15, 2024, the physical copies along with a digital record were returned by the Supreme Court's Registry in a sealed cover. The Election Commission of India has now published this digitized data on electoral bonds from the Supreme Court's registry on its website.Earlier on Saturday, Election Commission announced the schedule for upcoming elections to Lok Sabha and Andhra, Odisha, Arunachal and Sikkim assemblies. Lok Sabha Elections 2024 will be held in 7 phases from 19th April and the counting of votes will be done on June 4. Andhra Pradesh and Odisha assembly elections will be held on May 13 and Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim assembly polls will be conducted on April 19. Stay with TOI for live updates-
15:58 (IST) Mar 16
Election Date 2024: Phases for Lok Sabha elections 2024 announced
Date of poll for the second phase of Lok Sabha Elections 2024 on 26th April, third phase on 7th May, fourth phase on 13th May, fifth phase on 20th May, sixth phase on 26th May and the seventh phase on 1st June: Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar
15:52 (IST) Mar 16
Lok Sabha election process was set rolling on Saturday with the Election Commission announcing dates for polls. Voting will be held in 7 phases starting from April 19. The results will be announced on June 4. With the announcement of election dates, the model code of conduct comes into immediate effect.
15:51 (IST) Mar 16
Lok Sabha Election Schedule 2024: Andhra assembly elections to be held on May 13 on 175 seats
The YSRCP, led by Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy, on Saturday released its candidate names for all 25 Lok Sabha constituencies and 175 assembly seats for the upcoming elections. The announcement took place at the 'samadhi' (grave) of former chief minister Y S Rajasekhar Reddy in Kadapa district.
15:51 (IST) Mar 16
Election Date 2024: Assembly elections of Arunachal Pradesh to be held on April 19, 2024, votes to be counted on June 4, 2024
Further, Andhra Pradesh and Odisha assembly elections will be held on May 13.
15:50 (IST) Mar 16
Lok Sabha Election Date 2024: By-elections to 26 assembly constituencies to be held alongside Lok Sabha polls
"There are 26 assembly constituencies where byelections are due. These are in Bihar, Gujarat, Haryana, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Telangana, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu," says Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar at a press conference.
15:46 (IST) Mar 16
Election Date 2024: Elections belong to you, EC says as it asks voters to come forward and take part in elections
2,100 observers deployed to ensure level-playing field and conduct of polls free of inducement, coercion, intimidation, said EC
15:43 (IST) Mar 16
Lok Sabha polls: We are appointing 2,100 observers, will ensure that the elections are intimidation-free, says EC
"Adequate number of CAPF would be deployed to control muscle power. We are determined to reduce muscle power this time. There should be no place of violence in elections, and bloodbath should not happen at all," Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar additionally informed.
15:42 (IST) Mar 16
Lok Sabha Elections Schedule 2024: Plummeting level of political discourse matter of concern, we'll go beyond moral censure to act against Model Code violators: CEC Rajiv Kumar
Political parties must ensure responsible social media behaviour, originators of fake news to be dealt with severely, said EC. Moreover, the EC said that masquarading advertisements as news is not allowed asking political parties to refrain from personal attacks.
15:41 (IST) Mar 16
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: CEC Kumar
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: CEC Kumar
15:39 (IST) Mar 16
Election Date 2024: Political parties must ensure responsible social media behaviour, says EC
CEC Rajiv Kumar also said that Political parties must ensure responsible social media behaviour and refrain from sharing news without confirming accuracy on social media. Further added that originators of fake news to be dealt with severely.
15:39 (IST) Mar 16
Lok Sabha Election Date: Election Commission opts home voting for elderly and disabled in upcoming LS polls
To make sure everyone can take part in the Lok Sabha elections, the Election Commission is letting people aged 85 and above and those with a disability of 40% or more vote from home. They're also providing helpers, wheelchairs, and help with transportation at polling stations to make it easier for eligible voters to cast their vote.
15:37 (IST) Mar 16
Lok Sabha Election Date: Freebies like liquor, gas, sarees will be stopped, says CEC
Strict vigil over illicit online cash transfers, suspicious transactions through payment wallets, Election Commission further informed on poll preparations.
15:36 (IST) Mar 16
Lok Sabha Election Date: Money seizures rose by 835% to Rs 3,400 crore in last 11 state polls during 2022-23; we won't allow misuse of money power, said EC
Strict vigil over illicit online cash transfers, suspicious transactions through payment wallets, the Election Commission said regarding poll preparations. Further, drone-based checking at borders during polls.
15:33 (IST) Mar 16
To curb flow of illicit money, ECI held extensive reviews with enforcement agencies
To curb flow of illicit money, ECI held extensive reviews with enforcement agencies
15:32 (IST) Mar 16
Lok Sabha Election Date: No place for violence, will take action against any instance of violence, says Election Commission
"There is no place for bloodbath and violence in the elections. From wherever we will receive the information of violence, we will take action against them.", CEC Rajiv Kumar says
15:31 (IST) Mar 16
As the Lok Sabha elections for 2024 draw near, political parties are engaged in coalition-building efforts. The ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and the opposition INDIA coalition are expanding their alliances in preparation for the upcoming polls. All eyes are now on the Election Commission of India, which will soon announce the complete schedule of elections. Once the Election Commission holds a press conference, the Model Code of Conduct will be enforced nationwide, setting guidelines for election conduct. During this press conference, led by the Chief Election Commissioner and Assistant Election Commissioners, the entire election schedule, including nomination dates and vote counting, will be disclosed. In 2019, the Narendra Modi government took oath on May 30th, and it is expected that this time as well, election results will be announced within the first 15 days of May, followed by the swift formation of a new government.
15:28 (IST) Mar 16
Lok Sabha Election Date: Working for sustainable elections, informs Election Commission
"We are also very conscious about sustainable elections as a part of our responsibility towards the environment. That's why we have issued directions to our election machinery," says Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar at a press conference.
15:27 (IST) Mar 16
Lok Sabha Election Date: Muscle, money, misinfomation, MCC violations are 4 big challenges, CEC says
Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar further added that the election commission is working to ensure that no violence occurs during the elections. The Election Commission of India is dedicated to tackling these challenges: '4Ms': muscle, money, misinformation, and MCC violations with effective measures, he said.
15:27 (IST) Mar 16
Lok Sabha Elections Schedule 2024: CEC Rajiv Kumar urges citizens to be vigilant using C-vigil app.
He said that the citizens can register any poll related complaints on C-vigil app. He further informed that the EC will send a team within 100 minutes to deal with the situation.
15:26 (IST) Mar 16
Lok Sabha Election Date: Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar says, "We have 1.8 crore first-time voters and 19.47 crore voters between the age group of 20-29 years."
Lok Sabha Election Date: Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar says, "We have 1.8 crore first-time voters and 19.47 crore voters between the age group of 20-29 years."

"We are committed to give the nation a truly festive, democratic environment. The term of the 17th Lok Sabha is due to expire on 16th June 2024. The terms of the Legislative Assemblies of Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim are also due to expire in June 2024. Elections are due in Jammu and Kashmir," CEC Rajiv Kumar said.

15:21 (IST) Mar 16
Lok Sabha Election Date: Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar says, "We have 1.8 crore first-time voters and 19.47 crore voters between the age group of 20-29 years."
"We are committed to give the nation a truly festive, democratic environment. The term of the 17th Lok Sabha is due to expire on 16th June 2024. The terms of the Legislative Assemblies of Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim are also due to expire in June 2024. Elections are due in Jammu and Kashmir," CEC Rajiv Kumar said.
15:19 (IST) Mar 16
Lok Sabha Elections Schedule 2024: Nationwide gender ratio among voters at 948, 12 states and UTs have more female than male voters, informs EC
"96.8 crore are total electorates in the country. Out of this, 49.7 crore are male and 47.1 crore are female. Meanwhile, there are 1.8 crore first-time voters in these elections," informed Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar at a press conference.
15:16 (IST) Mar 16
Lok Sabha Elections Schedule 2024: Our electoral roll includes 82 lakh voters of over 85 years of age, 2.18 lakh centenarians, said CEC Rajiv Kumar
Talking about voter facilitation, CEC Rajiv Kumar said that there would be drinking water and sanitation facilities available. To ensure inclusivity, the EC would ensure to collect votes from voters above the age of 85 years.
15:16 (IST) Mar 16
Lok Sabha Elections Schedule 2024: 'We have 97 crore registered voters, over 10.5 lakh polling stations manned by 1.5 crore personnel, 55 lakh EVMs', informed Election Commission
Our electoral roll includes 82 lakh voters of over 85 years of age, 2.18 lakh centenarians, said CEC Rajiv Kumar. Total electors include 49.7 crore males, 47.1 crore females, 48,000 transgenders; 1.8 crore first-time voters added to list, informed EC.
15:15 (IST) Mar 16
Lok Sabha Elections News Live: Last 11 state polls were peaceful, violence-free with near-zero repolls, EC informs
Highlighting the peaceful manner in which the last elections were conducted, CEC Rajiv Kumar said, "Last 11 state polls were peaceful, violence-free with near-zero repolls, we will further improve it going forward."
15:13 (IST) Mar 16
Lok Sabha Elections News Live: Legislative Assemblies of Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim also due to expire in June 2024, informs CEC Rajiv Kumar
Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar also highlighted, "We are committed to give the nation a truly festive, democratic environment. The term of the 17th Lok Sabha is due to expire on 16th June 2024. The terms of the Legislative Assemblies of Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim are also due to expire in June 2024. Elections are due in Jammu and Kashmir"
15:09 (IST) Mar 16
Lok Sabha Elections News Live: 'It's our promise to deliver national election in a manner that can add to India's shine on world stage': Election Commission
'We have conducted more than 400 elections, 16 presidential elections, this is election commission's legacy', CEC Rajiv Kumar further added during the briefing ahead of Lok Sabha elections.
15:08 (IST) Mar 16
Lok Sabha Elections News Live: Our team is now complete, we are fully prepared for biggest festival of Indian democracy: Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar
We will show you what we have done to make our electoral process robust in the last two years, said CEC Rajiv Kumar.
15:05 (IST) Mar 16
Lok Sabha Elections News Live: Chief election commissioner Rajiv Kumar says, "We are fully prepared, entire team at ECI is ready" ahead of Lok Sabha elections
There are 1.82 crores new voters, said CEC Rajiv Kumar. There are 88.4 lakh people with disabilities in the electoral roll, he added.
15:02 (IST) Mar 16
Lok Sabha Elections Schedule 2024: Election Commission starts press briefing to announce Lok Sabha poll dates
We have 97 crore registered voters, says CEC Rajiv Kumar. We have conducted 17 general elections so far, he added.
15:01 (IST) Mar 16
Lok Sabha Elections News Live: Election Commissioner to announce Lok Sabha poll dates
CEC Rajiv Kumar starts press briefing to announce poll dates for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. EC will also announce dates for assembly elections in four sates of Andhra, Arunachal, Sikkim, Odisha.
14:45 (IST) Mar 16
Lok Sabha Elections Schedule 2024: Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar leaves from his residence, ahead of the announcement of the schedule for the general elections.
13:24 (IST) Mar 16
Lok Sabha Elections News Live: BJP-ally BDJS announces candidates for 2 more LS seats in Kerala
The Bharath Dharma Jana Sena (BDJS), an ally of the BJP in Kerala, on Saturday announced its candidates for Kottayam and Idukki Parliamentary constituencies from the southern state. BDJS State President Thushar Vellappally said he would be contesting from Kottayam and advocate Sangeetha Vishwanathan would be the party candidate from Idukki. Last week, the BDJS had announced that Baiju Kalasala would contest from Mavelikkara constituency and K A Unnikrishnan from Chalakudy in Alappuzha and Thrissur districts respectively.
13:21 (IST) Mar 16
Expressing her gratitude towards joining the party with "deep connection with Sanatan", Paudwal said, "I am happy that I am joining the government which has a deep connection with Sanatan (Dharma). It is my good fortune that I am joining BJP today."
13:20 (IST) Mar 16
Lok Sabha Elections News Live: YSRCP announces candidates for 25 Lok Sabha seats in Andhra Pradesh.

  • 50 percent seats have been spared to SC, ST, BC and minorities, said Dharmana PRasada Rao. 24 woman candidates in both assembly and Lok Sabha constituencies have been selected, 84 MLA seats for Backward Castes have been selected. Following are the Lok Sabha candidates announced:
  • Srikakualam: P Tilak
  • Visakha: Botcha Jhansi
  • Amalapuram: Rapaka Varaprasad
  • Kakinada: Chalamalasetti Suneel
  • Narsapuram: Guduru Umabala
  • Machilipatnam: Simhadri Chandrasekhara Rao
  • Narasaraopet: Anil Kumar Yadav
  • Ongole: Chevireddy Bhaskara Reddy
  • Nellore: Vijaysai Reddy
  • Tirupati: M Gurumurthy
  • Chittoor: Reddappa
  • Kadapa: YS Avinash Reddy
  • Kurnool: BY Ramaiah
  • Ananthapuram: Sankara Narayana
  • Hindupur: J Santha
  • Rajampet: Mithun Reddy
  • Vizianagaram: Bellana Chandrasekhar
  • Rajahmundry: Dr Guduri Srinivasulu
  • Eluru: Karumuri Suneeil Kumar
  • Vijayawada: Kesineni Nani
  • Araku: Chetti Tanuja Rani

12:57 (IST) Mar 16
Bhartiya Janta Party's Rajya Sabha member from Madhya Pradesh Ajay Pratap Singh said on Saturday that he had resigned from party's primary membership after not getting renominated by his party. In a post on X, the former BJP leader shared the resignation letter addressed to the party president J P Nadda, saying, "I am resigning from the primary membership of the party." Singh did not mention any reason for his resignation.
12:39 (IST) Mar 16
Lok Sabha Elections Schedule 2024: CEC Rajiv Kumar arrives at Election Commission of India, ahead of the announcement of the schedule for the general elections
The Election Commission of India will announce the poll dates for the Lok Sabha elections 2024 on Saturday a spokesperson of the poll body said on Friday. The EC will also announce the Assembly election dates for some states. The dates for the polls will be announced at a press conference scheduled for Saturday at 3 pm. Earlier on Wednesday, Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar said that the poll body will decide on holding Lok Sabha Elections and Assembly Elections together or separately in Jammu and Kashmir after reviewing the security situation.
12:29 (IST) Mar 16
Lok Sabha Elections News Live: Congress released its 2nd list of 43 candidates on Tuesday
On March 8, the party had released its first list of 39 candidates. Giving details about the second list, Venugopal told reporters: "In this list, out of the 43 candidates, 10 are General candidates, 13 OBC candidates, 10 SC candidates, 9 ST candidates and 1 Muslim candidate." According to the 2nd list, Kamal Nath's son Nakul will contest from Madhya Pradesh's Chhindwara, Vaibhav Gehlot, son of former chief minister Ashok Gehlot, will fight from Rajasthan's Jalore, Gaurav Gogoi has been fielded from Assam's Jorhat, Rahul Kaswa, who recently joined the Congress after leaving the BJP, will contest from Rajasthan's Churu.
12:07 (IST) Mar 16

PM Modi used to say that he wants to remove corruption. However, he created a whole structure of electoral bonds through which big companies donate thousands of crores rupees to him.

Rahul Gandhi in Thane

11:24 (IST) Mar 16
Lok Sabha Elections News Live: EC will announce poll dates via press conference at 3pm today
In a post on X, a spokesperson of the ECI said yesterday, "Press Conference by Election Commission to announce the schedule for #GeneralElections2024 and some State Assemblies will be held at 3pm tomorrow i.e. Saturday, 16th March. It will be live streamed on social media platforms of the ECI". Earlier on Wednesday, Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar said that the poll body will decide on holding Lok Sabha elections and assembly elections together or separately in Jammu and Kashmir after reviewing the security situation.
11:06 (IST) Mar 16
Lok Sabha Elections News Live: This time, people of the nation will fight against BJP, says RJD leader Mrityunjay Tiwari
On ECI to announce Lok Sabha Poll dates, RJD leader Mrityunjay Tiwari said, "This time, people of the nation will fight against BJP. Everyone is determined to remove the BJP from power. On K Kavitha's arrest by ED, he said, "Now the government agencies want to arrest every leader of the opposition. BJP is determined to create an opposition-free India."
10:52 (IST) Mar 16

All the BJP workers and people of the entire country are waiting for the Election Commission to announce the election dates so that they can vote again for PM Modi.

Ravinder Raina, J&K BJP president

09:11 (IST) Mar 16
Former BJP member AP Jithender Reddy and his son switch to Congress in Telangana citing concerns over party's recent performance and leadership changes. Reddy highlights BJP's decreased seats in assembly elections and issues with candidate preferences for upcoming polls. Telangana Govt appoints Reddy as Special Representative and Advisor for Sports Affairs in New Delhi. "However, after the change in state leadership, the party has suffered severely as witnessed by the recently concluded assembly elections, where the party should have won at least 25 seats but we managed to secure only 8 seats in the 119-member assembly of Telangana," Jithender Reddy said.
08:46 (IST) Mar 16
Supreme Court on Friday expressed reservations before declining to stay Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act and pass an interim order to prevent appointment of election commissioners under the law. "We do not stay legislation by way of interim orders," the bench said. As the application filed by the petitioner regarding appointment of two election commissioners was not on record, the court deferred the hearing to March 21.
08:41 (IST) Mar 16
Senior leader Dr Raj Kumar Chabbewal on Friday joined AAP, which is likely to field him from Hoshiarpur. Claiming he took the decision on "moral grounds", Chabbewal said he was influenced by the initiatives of AAP govt, particularly the revamp of education and health sectors, besides initiatives for women empowerment.
08:38 (IST) Mar 16
Bristling over nephew Chirag Paswan's LJP (Ram Vilas) purported five-seat deal in Bihar with BJP, Union minister PashupatiParas on Friday called it "injustice" and almost sounded the bugle of revolt against BJP by asserting he will contest from his Hajipur constituency and his other MPs from their 2019 seats.
08:35 (IST) Mar 16
Data from Association of Democratic Reforms for 2017-18 & 2018-19 shows that BJP received Rs 1,450.9 crore and Rs 210 crore during the two years and if the amount is added to funds raised through electoral bonds during the period from Apr 12, 2019 to Jan 24, 2024 of Rs 6,060.5 crore, it adds to Rs 7,721.4 crore. This was nearly 50% of total amount so far of Rs 15,529 crore.
08:30 (IST) Mar 16
After it was known that Election Commission will announce poll dates at 3pm on Saturday, govt departments went into full throttle on Friday for last minute approval of projects and key policies before the Model Code of Conduct kicks in. TOI has learnt that NHAI and other wings of road transport ministry were burning the midnight oil on Friday to issue letter of award for projects to highway developers so that work can start. Minister Nitin Gadkari announced sanctioning of Rs 1,700 crore for three highway projects in Gujarat, Assam and Karnataka, and another Rs 189 crore for a ropeway between Ujjain railway junction and Mahakaleshwar temple in MP.
08:25 (IST) Mar 16
PM Narendra Modi, who held rallies and meetings in Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Telangana on Friday, just a day ahead of code of conduct coming into force, asked people of Kerala to dump Communists and Congress and give BJP a chance. Later, he said INDIA bloc can never bring development to Tamil Nadu and hence it should be defeated in the elections along with DMK and Congress. Citing the example of Tamil Nadu where the last Congress govt came to power in 1962 and UP, Gujarat and Bihar where Congress has been out of power for over four decades, he said once Congress or Communists were ousted from power, they would never return. Communists have failed to return to power after they lost in Tripura and Bengal, he said, terming both the Communist ideology and ideas of Congress as outdated.
20:15 (IST) Mar 15
Lok Sabha Elections News Live: IG CRPF Archana Shivhare said, MHA has deployed 75 companies of paramilitary forces in the state - 35 companies of CRPF, 25 companies of BSF and 5 companies of CISF.
On behalf of MHA IG-CRPF has been designated as a state force coordinator for the state to ensure the deployment of these paramilitary companies.We are continuously coordinating with the State Police to ensure the conduct of free and fair elections...More deployment is in the states where naxalism, naxal activities have been found to be reported. CRPF has also established four new camps in the core areas for intensifying the anti-naxal operations so that before the polls, we can eliminate naxal activities from the state and polls can be conducted in a free and fair manner.
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