Lok Sabha polls to be held in seven phases from April 19, counting of votes to take place on June 4

The counting of votes will take place on June 4.

"We are committed to giving the nation a truly festive, democratic environment," Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar said while addressing a press conference.

96.8 crore registered voters are expected to exercise their voting rights in the country in 2024.

"We have 1.8 crore first-time voters and 19.47 crore voters between the age group of 20-29 years," Kumar said.

Strict action against violence

Kumar said action will be taken if reports of violence emerge from any corner of the country.

"There is no place for bloodbath and violence in the elections," he said.

4M challenges

He said muscle, money, misinformation, and MCC violations are the '4Ms' that pose a challenge before the ECI in conducting free and fair elections.

He said: "ECI is committed and has put in place measures to deal with these disruptive challenges."

Misinformation to be tackled

Promising to take action against misinformation, Kumar said fake social media posts will be taken down.

He said: "Tackling misinformation in today's digital age is complex. We have put certain measures in place to ensure misinformation is nipped in the bud. We're proactive in debunking fake news. Originators of fake news to be dealt with severely as per extant laws."

He said 10.5 lakh polling booths will be set up across India to conduct elections.

He said, "Over 85 lakh 1st-time women voters will participate in this year's election."

"Gender ratio is above 1,000 in 12 states where the number of women voters is more than men," he said.

Replying to a question asked by the media,he said the EVMs are '100 percent safe'.

Assembly polls

Assembly polls will be held simultaneously in Sikkim, Odisha, Arunachal Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh with the seven-phased Lok Sabha elections.

Voting in Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim will take place on April 19 while  Andhra Pradesh will vote to elect a new Assembly on May 13.

In Odisha, two-phased Assembly polls will be held on May 25 and June 1.

Bye-elections to 26 assembly constituencies will be held along with the Lok Sabha elections.

The term of 17th Lok Sabha is due to expire on 16th June, 2024. The term of legislative assemblies of Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim is also expiring in June this year.