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ElEction

seven-phase poll schedule for the Lok particular, the parameters to be con- superintendence, direction, and control
Sabha and four state Assemblies. The sidered for their scheduling and phas- of the Commission.
first phase of polling would be held on ing, the Election Commission of India Keeping in view the interests of the
April 11, while May 19 would witness the has planned meticulously for each students and also the fact that Polling
last phase. The counting of votes would and every aspect of election much in Stations are mostly located in school
take place on May 23. advance to ensure that these elections buildings and teachers are engaged as
As per the election schedule an- are conducted in a best professional polling personnel, the Commission has
nounced by the EC, the election would manner. The Commission organized a consciously factored-in the examina-
be held in seven phases. The first phase series of meetings with the Chief Elec- tion schedules of various State Boards,
would be held on April 11 for 91 seats, toral Officers (CEOs) of all the 36 States including the Central Board of Second-
second phase on April 18 for 97 seats, and Union Territories (UTs) to review all ary Education, in the process of finaliz-
the third phase on April 23 for 115 seats, the aspects of election preparedness in ing the poll dates.
the fourth phase on April 29 for 71 seats, all the States and UTs and accordingly, In addition to this, other relevant
the fifth phase on May 6 for 51 seats, the factors like various holidays and fes-
sixth phase on May 12 for 59 seats and tivals falling in the months of March,
the seventh and last phase on May 19 Voters in the April and May, harvest season in certain
for 59 seats. 2019 Lok Sabha parts of the country and the inputs ob-
Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) tained from the Indian Meteorological
Sunil Arora said 10 lakh polling stations elections will find, Department on the pre-monsoon rain-
would be set up this time as against for the first time, fall, onset and spread of monsoon and
about nine lakh in 2014. Around 90 acute hot weather conditions in certain
crore persons would be eligible to vote the faces of the parts of the country have also been
for the 543 Lok Sabha seats across the taken into consideration. Thus, while
country. candidates along deciding on the number of poll days for
The Commission has taken into with their respective each State/ UT and the composition of
account the fact that the tenure of the the PCs that go to polls on a particular
Legislative Assemblies of the States of party symbols in the poll day, the Commission has, to the
Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, EVMs, the EC reveals extent possible, take all relevant
Odisha, and Sikkim will expire on June aspects and information, related there-
18, 2019, June 1, 2019, June 11, 2019, and while announcing the to, into view.
May 27, 2019, respectively. After taking seven-phase schedule The total electorate in the country
into account all relevant factors, the as per finally published E-rolls in ref-
Commission has decided to hold elec- of the world’s largest erence to 01.01.2019 is approximately
tions for new Legislative Assemblies for democratic exercise 900 million compared to 814.5 million
these four States, simultaneously with in 2014. This marks an increase of more
the General Elections to the 17th Lok than 84 million electors. Over 15 million
Sabha. appropriate instructions were issued to electors are in 18-19 years age group.
Elections to the different Assembly the CEOs for ensuring efficient conduct Electors in the age group of 18 to 19
Constituencies in the States of Andhra of the elections. years constitute 1.66% of total electors.
Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Odisha, The Commission also held meeting The commission allowed enrollment
and Sikkim will follow the same Sched- with the Chief Secretaries, Directors of transgender persons with gender
ule as for the corresponding Parlia- General of Police, Home Secretar- written as “Others” in the electoral rolls
mentary Constituencies of which these ies, Chief Electoral Officers and Police since 2012.
are the relevant Assembly segments. Nodal Officers of all States and UTs The number of electors enrolled as
There are 34 casual vacancies in Leg- on 21s t, 22nd & 28th January 2019, to “Others” gender is 38,325. 7 Parliament
islative Assemblies of 12 States, as on assess the overall law and order situa- amended the Representation of the
09.03.2019. In regard to provisions of tion, ascertain State/ UT specific areas of People Act, 1950, allowing enrollment
Section 151A of the Representation of concern, to deliberate on the quantum of Indian citizens living overseas as
the People Act, 1951, the Commission of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) electors. 71,735 overseas electors have
has decided to hold bye-elections to required in each State/ UT and to been enrolled in the current electoral
these 34 Assembly Constituencies fol- review the overall preparedness of the rolls. There are 16,77,386 service elec-
lowing the same schedule as for the election machinery. The cooperation tors in the electoral rolls. Photo voter
relevant Parliamentary Constituency. of all authorities was sought for con- slips shall be used for guidance but not
The elections to the 543 Parlia- ducting free, fair and peaceful elections as identity proof in the polling station.
mentary Constituencies (PCs) and, in across the country, under the overall Electors will be required to carry EPIC

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