Lok Sabha elections on 16th April? Delhi Election Commission has made it clear

Lok Sabha elections on 16th April? Delhi Election Commission has made it clear: The Office of the Chief Electoral Officer of Delhi issued a clarification regarding the letter that went viral on social media, which suggested April 16 as a possible date for the Lok Sabha elections. According to the Chief Electoral Officer, the date mentioned is part of the Election Commission of India (ECI) planner, which is used for planning and coordination purposes. The letter dated January 19, 2024, serves as a reference point for election officials and does not indicate the final schedule. Here is an explanation and a description of the role of the mentioned date in the election planning process.

The Chief Electoral Officer of Delhi clarified that the letter circulated on social media on January 19, 2024, had shown April 16 as the probable polling date for the Lok Sabha elections. However, the date was purely for reference in the Election Commission of India (ECI) planner to facilitate the planning and execution of necessary activities related to the upcoming Lok Sabha 2024 general election.

Clarifying the queries regarding the letter, the Chief Electoral Officer of Delhi informed that there is a reference in the Election Commission of India (ECI) plan to use the mentioned date of 16/04/2024 as the probable polling day for the Lok Sabha elections 2024. Has been done as. The matter was made. It said that the ECI planner prepares an outline of necessary activities with start and end dates related to a hypothetical polling date to facilitate the timely execution of these activities at the district level. It said that this date was solely for planning, preparation, and coordination of activities related to the upcoming Lok Sabha 2024 general elections.

The date mentioned in the letter was April 16, 2024, for planning, preparation, and coordination of activities related to the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. The Election Commission of India planner outlines key activities with start and end dates, using a hypothetical polling date as a reference point. The clarification stressed that this date has no bearing on the actual election schedule, which will be announced by the Election Commission of India in due course.

Some media queries are coming referring to a letter dated 19/01/2024 issued by the Office of CEO, Delhi to clarify whether 16/04/2024 is a tentative poll day for Lok Sabha Election 2024. In this regard, it is clarified that in the run-up to the ensuing Lok Sabha Election 2024, it is required to plan and complete a large number of activities about the election. ECI Planner enlists all such important activities and provides the Start date and End date concerning an imaginary poll date as a reference point to initiate and complete those activities, Chief Electoral Officer, Delhi, said in its clarification.

Most of the activities are to be undertaken at the level of all District Election Officers/Returning Officers, to sensitize them to ensure timely start and completion of the activities as per the Election Planner, office of CEO Delhi, issued a letter dated 19.01.2024 to all District Election Officers, indicating 16.04.2024 as a tentative poll date purely for planning, preparations and completion of activities related to ensuing General Election to Lok Sabha 2024, it added.

Office of the Chief Electoral Officer, Delhi said that this letter was issued to sensitize the District Election Officers/Returning Officers about the activities mentioned in the election plan. The objective of the communication was to ensure timely initiation and completion of various tasks, such as testing of electronic voting machines, conducting voter awareness programs, and logistical preparations.

ECI routine exercises and special circumstances

While the communication from the Office of the CEO highlighted the routine nature of providing a provisional voting date for planning purposes, the information attracted particular attention due to its dissemination on social media platforms. The Election Commission of India immediately issued a clarification, emphasizing that no final decision has been taken regarding the election schedule, which will be announced in due course.

Expected election schedule

Senior election officials are hoping to announce the election dates in late February or early March to complete the election process by the last week of May. The ECI usually sends a panel of observers to monitor the preparations in all the states before finalizing the program. The mention of April 16 as a possible polling day indicates that elections in Delhi could be held in the second or third phase, with voting likely to begin in the first week of April.

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