New Delhi, February 23: The Election Commission is poised to unveil the Lok Sabha election dates post March 13, following an extensive tour of various states to evaluate the preparations for the general elections. The Commission’s officials are presently in Tamil Nadu and are scheduled to visit Uttar Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir next. Earlier, Bihar was also visited by the Commission’s team. The assessments in all states across the nation are expected to conclude by March 13, paving the way for the likely announcement of Lok Sabha election dates thereafter.
In anticipation of the elections, the Commission has been engaged in regular consultations with the Chief Electoral Officers (CEOs) of all states over the past few months to gauge preparedness. The CEOs have identified key challenges such as EVM mobility, security force requirements, and the need for stringent border surveillance, among others.
Notably, the Election Commission is planning to leverage artificial intelligence to ensure the smooth conduct of elections this year. Moreover, fact-checking, combatting disinformation, and ensuring tight security in specific regions are also high on the agenda for the upcoming elections.
According to Election Commission data, a staggering 96.88 crore individuals are eligible to vote in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, marking the world’s highest voter participation. Additionally, 1.85 crore individuals aged 18 to 19 are registered to vote.
Given the vast electorate, Lok Sabha elections are likely to be conducted in six to seven stages. Large states such as Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, and areas affected by Naxal insurgency are expected to witness elections in multiple stages. The entire election process is estimated to span around one and a half months, with votes for all Lok Sabha seats being counted on the same day.
The formal announcement of the election date is expected shortly after the completion of the Commission’s state visits on March 13.
