Lok Sabha Election 2024 Live Updates: IT authorities launch 24x7 control room, toll-free helpline for Lok Sabha elections

Lok Sabha Election: The process of nominating candidates for the Lok Sabha elections commenced for 102 parliamentary constituencies in 21 states and Union territories on Wednesday. The first phase of polling is scheduled for April 19, with nominations being accepted until March 27 as per the Election Commission's notification. Meanwhile, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has launched its official campaign 2024 merchandise, the NaMo Merchandise, ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. The Congress working committee, the party's top decision-making body, met on Tuesday to discuss and approve the party's manifesto for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. The party is focusing on 'five nyay' (justices) - 'Bhagidari Nyay', 'Kisan Nyay', 'Nari Nyay', 'Shramik Nyay', and 'Yuva Nyay', each with five guarantees. Senior Congress Leader P Chidambaram who heads the Manifesto committee had said that the party's manifesto for Lok Sabha polls will be a "people's manifesto" and apart from public consultations by party leaders, suggestions have been taken through e-mail and a website. The party also made five guarantees: Hissedari Nyay that calls for a caste census and the call to remove the ceiling of 50 percent reservation for SC/STYuva Nyay which promises 30 lakh central government jobs in accordance to a job calendar, as well as guaranteed apprenticeship to educated youth. The Congress guarantees an annual job package of Rs 1 lakh for diploma holders up to the age of 25, a commitment to enact stringent laws to get rid of paper leaks, the establishment of social security measures in the gig economy and the initiation of 'Yuva Roshni' aimed at fostering startups among individuals below 40 years of age.