GUWAHATI: The much awaited 2019 Lok Sabha election schedule has been announced by the Election Commission at Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi. Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora while announcing the dates said that the Model Code of Conduct now come into force.
The term of the present Lok Sabha ends on June 3.
The Model Code of Conduct (MCC) comes into effect from today itself in the entire country and any violation will be dealt with in the strictest manner.
There will be extensive webcasting of sensitive voting booths. All critical events will be videographed, said the CEC. Additionally, privacy of people who report violations will be protected and they will be informed of action taken, he added.
Keeping strict watch on Digital means of campaigning, the CEC said, Google, Facebook, YouTube have said all political ads will be certified. This means that they will undergo a series of background checks and will be watched closely to prevent spreading disinformation.
Speaking to the media he said that there will be approximately 10 lakh polling stations in this Lok Sabha Elections as compared to 9 lakh polling stations in 2014.
22 states will vote in the first phase of Lok Sabha Polls. No state polls in Jammu and Kashmir for now, only parliamentary elections
Lok Sabha polls in Assam will be held in 3 Phases.
Phase 1 - Polling date 11 April (5 constituencies)
Phase 2 - Polling date 18 April (5 constituencies)
Phase 3 - Polling date 23 April (4 constituencies)
Counting of all phases on 23rd May.
More updates awaited.