Lok Sabha polls to be held from Apr 11 to May 19, counting on May 23; assembly elections in 4 states to be held simultaneously

Today, the people of India know that it is possible to: Become the fastest growing economy. Give a befitting reply to terror. Eliminate poverty at a record pace. Make India Swachh. Remove corruption and punish the corrupt. Ensure inclusive and extensive development, tweets PM Modi

The last five years have shown that with the blessings and participation of 130 crore Indians, what was earlier deemed impossible has now become possible. 2019 polls are about a spirit of confidence and positivity with which India is fulfilling the aspirations of its people, tweets PM Modi

Assembly elections will be held simultaneously in Arunachal Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Sikkim and Odisha

Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir not to be held along with Lok Sabha polls: EC

State-wise poll details: Phase 7

Bihar (8), Jharkhand (3), MP (8), Punjab (13), West Bengal (9), Chandigarh (1), UP (13), Himachal (4); Total: 59

State-wise poll details: Phase 6

Bihar (8), Haryana (10), Jharkhand (4), MP (8), UP (14), West Bengal (8), Delhi-NCR (7); Total: 59

State-wise poll details: Phase 5

Bihar (5), J&K (2), Jharkhand (4), MP (7), Rajasthan (12), UP (14), West Bengal (7); Total: 51

State-wise poll details: Phase 4

Bihar (5), J&K (1), Jharkhand (3), MP (6), Maharashtra (17), Odisha (6), Rajasthan (14), UP (13), West Bengal (8); Total: 71

State-wise poll details: Phase 3

Assam (4), Bihar (5), Chhattisgarh (7), Gujarat (26), Goa (2), J&K (1), Karnataka (14), Kerala (20), Maharashtra (14), Odisha (6), UP (10), West Bengal (5), Dadra and Nagar Haveli (1), Daman and Diu (1); Total: 115

State-wise poll details: Phase 2

Assam (5), Bihar (5), Chhattisgarh (3), J&K (2), Karnataka (14), Maharashtra (10), Manipur (1), Odisha (5), Tamil Nadu (39), Tripura (1), UP (8), West Bengal (3), Puducherry (1); Total: 97

State-wise poll details: Phase 1

Andhra (25), Arunachal (2), Assam (5), Bihar (4), Chhattisgarh (1), J&K (2), Maharashtra (7), Manipur (1), Meghalaya (2), Mizoram (1), Nagaland (1), Odisha (4), Sikkim (1), Telangana (17), Tripura (1), UP (8), Uttarakhand (5), West Bengal (2), Andaman (1), Lakshadweep (1); Total (91)

91 constituencies to go for polls in first phase of polls, 97 constituencies in second phase, 115 constituencies to go for polls in third phase, 71 in fourth phase, 51 in fifth phase, 59 in sixth and 59 in seventh phase.

Phase 1 of Lok Sabha Election 2019: key dates

Issue of gazette notification: 18th March

Last day of nomination: 25th March

Date for scrutiny of nomination: 26th March

Last date of withdrawal: 28th March

Date of Poll: 11th April

LS Polls: Phase 1 in 91 constituencies in 20states, Phase 2 in 97constituencies in 13 states, Phase 3 in 115 constituencies in 14 states, Phase 4 in 71 constituencies in 9 states, Phase 5 in 51 constituencies in 7 states, Phase 6 in 59 constituencies in 7states and Phase 7 in 59 constituencies in 8states

Phase 2 of Lok Sabha Election 2019 key dates Issue of gazette notification : 19th March Last day of nomination: 26th March Date for scrutiny of nomination: 27th March Last date of withdrawal: 29th March Date of Poll: 18th April

States going to polls in seven phases -- Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal

States going to polls in five phases -- Jammu & Kashmir

States going to polls in four phases -- Jharkhand, MP, Maharashtra, Odisha

States going to polls in three phases -- Assam, Chhattisgarh

States going to polls in two phases -- Karnataka, Manipur, Rajasthan, Tripura

Phase 1: 91 constituencies in 20 states | Phase 2: 97 constituencies in 13 states | Phase 3: 115 constituencies in 14 states | Phase 4: 71 constituencies in 9 states | Phase 5: 51 constituencies in 7 states | Phase 6: 59 constituencies in 7 states | Phase 7 59 in 8 states

States going in single phase - Andhra, Arunachal, Goa, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal, Kerala, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Punjab, Sikkim, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Uttarakhand, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu, Lakshwadeep, Delhi, Pondicherry, Chandigarh 

Phase 4 to be held on April 29, Phase 5 to be held on May 6, Phase 6 on May 12, Phase 7 on May 19

Phase 3 to be held on April 23

Phase 2 to be held on April 18

Phase 1 to be held on April 11, date of counting May 23

The elections will be held in seven phases. Last date of nomination is 25th March. 

Candidates are required to furnish details of their social media accounts, says CEC Sunil Arora

Candidates with criminal history will be required to furnish such information, says Sunil Arora

We consider media as a potent force multiplier. Hence, we have directed all officials to have positive engagement with the media. We request media to play a pro-active and constructive role, says CEC Sunil Arora

No filling of form 26 will be rejection of the candidate, says Sunil Arora

1950 is the election helpline number to check your name and election-related information, says CEC Sunil Arora

Voter's guide is being handed over to every household. There will be a NOTA option for voters. There is a photograph of the candidate also so that you make a more conscious choice. There are approximately 10 lakh polling stations across the country as opposed to 9 lakh last year, says CEC Sunil Arora

As many as 84 million new voters to cast vote. A total of 90 crore voters to exercise their franchise.

There will be approximately 10 lakh polling stations in this Lok Sabha Elections as compared to 9 lakh polling stations in 2014, says CEC Sunil Arora

The Model Code of Conduct (MCC) comes into effect from today itself in the entire country. Any violation will be dealt with in the strictest manner, says CEC Sunil Arora

Loudspeakers banned from 10 am to 6 pm under Model Code of Conduct, announces CEC Sunil Arora

Total electorate in this Lok Sabha elections will be 900 million, of which 15 million voters are in the 18-19 age group, says CEC Sunil Arora

VVPATs will be used with EVMs at all polling stations, 17.4 lakh VVPATs to be used in the elections, says Sunil Arora

“The Election Commission has attempted a comprehensive plan for the Lok Sabha elections in a manner that is free and fair. India, by conducting elections, emerged as a beacon of light for the world,” says CEC Sunil Arora.

2019 Lok Sabha elections will be free and fair, says Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sunil Arora.

The Election Commission is expected to begin the press conference any time soon. 

"The farmers, unemployed youth, small traders, they all are waiting for this day. Don’t know why Modi ji delayed this, (may be) to cut the ribbons for projects that started in Congress regime,” AICC spoekesperson Pawan Khera said.

Speaking at a gathering of the BJP's women workers in Mumbai on Sunday, senior leader and External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj signalled that the military action against Pakistan after the February 14 Pulwama attack would be a poll issue for the ruling party.

The announcement will set in motion a highly-anticipated political contest which is shaping up to a "Modi versus Mahagathbandhan" showdown.  

In 2014, the EC had announced the election schedule on March 5 and the nine-phase electoral exercise was spread across April and May. While the first phase polling was on April 7, the last phase was on May 12. 

With the announcement of dates, the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) will immediately take effect. The code lays down a list of dos and don’ts for the political parties ahead of elections. Amongst other things, the code bars the government from announcing policy decisions.