X: @the_news_21
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has taken a proactive step to address a fake WhatsApp message circulating about the schedule for the Lok Sabha Elections 2024. Through its official social media account on X (formerly Twitter), the ECI clarified that the message is false and emphasized that no dates have been announced thus far.
“A fake message is being shared on WhatsApp regarding the schedule for #LokSabhaElections2024 #FactCheck: The message is #Fake. No dates have been announced so far by #ECI. Election Schedule is announced by the Commission through a press conference,” stated the ECI in its post on X.
According to a report by IANS, the Election Commission of India is expected to officially announce the schedule for the upcoming parliamentary elections on March 13-14.
The announcement of the election schedule will trigger the implementation of the model code of conduct (MCC). ECI teams have been actively visiting various states and holding meetings with the Chief Electoral Officers (CEOs) to assess the election preparedness. Currently, ECI officials are in Tamil Nadu, where they are evaluating the election-related arrangements made by the state administration.
In the upcoming week, the ECI is scheduled to visit Uttar Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir. It has been reported that the full Commission will visit Jammu and Kashmir on March 11-12 to evaluate the election preparedness and security situation in the region. Jammu and Kashmir is the final destination on ECI’s itinerary of state visits to assess the situation and issue necessary directives. It is anticipated that the Commission will announce the election schedule shortly after its return from Jammu and Kashmir.
In past instances, the schedule for the seven-phase Lok Sabha elections in 2019 was announced on March 10, while the dates for the nine-phase parliamentary polls in 2014 were announced on March 5. Approximately 97 crore Indians will be eligible to cast their votes in this year’s Lok Sabha elections.
The electoral rolls were published across all states and Union Territories in early February following an extensive Special Summary Revision 2024. Several states such as Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh are set to conduct simultaneous Lok Sabha and Assembly polls.
