New Delhi: The 2024 general election for 543 Lok Sabha seats will be held in seven phases that will begin on April 19 and continue till June 1, Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar said while announcing the commencement of the world's largest democratic exercise. The results of the election will be announced on June 4.
Assembly elections for Andhra Pradesh, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh and Odisha will also be simultaneously held along with the General Elections. The Model Code of Conduct came into effect immediately on the announcement of the schedule, the Election Commission said.
Voting for the first phase will be held on April 19, second phase on April 26, third phase on May 7, fourth phase on May 13, fifth phase on May 20, sixth phase on May 25, and the seventh phase on June 1.
While announcing the dates, Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar sent out a strong message on the circulation of fake news on social media, saying political parties should ensure responsible social media behaviour -- "verify before you amplify".
"Fake news will be dealt with severely as per existant laws.. Section 79 (3)(B) of the IT Act empowers nodal officers in each state to remove unlawful content," he said.
"There should be issue-based campaign, no hate speeches, no speeches along caste or religious lines, no criticism of anyone's personal lives," he said.
On Thursday, a committee headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi named two retired Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers -- Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Gyanesh Kumar as Election Commissioners. They took oath the next day.
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