Picture : Twitter / ANI
The countdown has begun for the 17th Lok Sabha . The Election Commission of India at a press conference at Delhi’s Vigyan Bhawan announced the poll schedule.
Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora, addressed the media. The two Election commissioners Sushil Chandra and Ashok Lavasa were also present.
The Model Code of Conduct comes into effect from today itself in the entire country. Any violation will be dealt with in the strictest manner, said Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora.
He further said : ” VVPATs will be used with electronic voting machines at all polling stations in these elections. There will be approximately 10 lakh polling stations in this Lok Sabha Elections as compared to 9 lakh polling stations in 2014″.
There will be 7 phase polling for the forthcoming Lok Sabha election.
It begins on April 11 and ends on May 19.
The last date of nomination of phase 1 is March 25.
1st phase polling to be held on 11th April,
2nd phase on 18th April,
3rd phase on 23rd April,
4th phase polling to be held on 29th April,
5th phase polling on 6th May,
6th phase polling on 12th May,
7th phase 12th May.
Counting of all phases on 23rd May.
It may be recalled that the term of the present Lok Sabha ends on June 3. With the announcement of the poll schedule for 2019 , the model code of conduct will immediately come into force. The Model Code of Conduct bars the government from announcing policy decisions.
