Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge concealed a veiled attack against the Opposition in his appeal to voters. As voting for the fifth phase of the India general elections 2024 began on Monday, Kharge asked people to "vote for democracy, not for dictatorship." In a post on X, Mallikarjun Kharge said, "My dear countrymen, If you want to protect democracy and the Constitution, you must vote. Before pressing the button on the EVM, remember that we have to vote for love and brotherhood, not for hatred," said Kharge. "We have to vote against unemployment and inflation, not to make a few capitalists richer. We have to vote for the protection of our fundamental rights, not for those who snatch away our rights. We must vote for justice, not for injustice and oppression. We should vote for democracy, not for dictatorship," he further said. The Congress president stated that the voters of eight states and union territories who will exercise their right to vote today on 49 Lok Sabha seats are going to vote on the agenda of youth justice, women justice, farmers justice, labourer justice and shareholding justice. When you press the EVM button, the swaying chair of dictatorship will get another push and democracy will gain strength. Appealing to first-time voters, he said, "I welcome youth who are participating in the Lok Sabha elections for the first time. They have a responsibility in the ongoing polls. The trends of the four phases indicate that Hukumshah's departure is certain. Today is the fifth step towards his departure. A new beginning on June 4." Voting for the fifth phase of the ongoing India general elections 2024 began on Monday morning across 49 parliamentary constituencies spread over six states and two Union Territories (UTs) amid tight security and arrangements. According to the Election Commission of India (ECI), polling for 35 assembly constituencies of the Odisha legislative assembly is taking place simultaneously on Monday. The fifth phase is witnessing key contests in various constituencies. Leaders such as Rahul Gandhi, BJP leaders Rajnath Singh, Smriti Irani, Rajiv Pratap Rudy, Piyush Goyal, Ujjwal Nikam, Karan Bhushan Singh, LJP (Ramvilas) chief Chirag Paswan, JKNC chief Omar Abdullah, and RJD leader Rohini Acharya are looking for electoral success. Eight states/UTs polling in phase 5 are: Bihar, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal. (ANI) The counting of votes will be held on June 4. (With inputs from Agencies)
Polling will be conducted in seven phases, commencing on April 19. Phase 1 voting will be on April 19, Phase 2 on April 26, Phase 3 on May 7, Phase 4 on May 13, Phase 5 on May 20, Phase 6 on May 25, and Phase 7 on June 1.
To be eligible for voter registration, one must be an Indian citizen, at least 18 years of age, and an ordinary resident of the area concerned.
The Lok Sabha elections are held every five years. The House can be dissolved by the President before this term ends, on the advice of the Prime Minister.
A total of 543 Parliamentary constituencies will go to polls in the upcoming general election.
The prime minister is appointed by the president of India; however, the prime minister has to enjoy the confidence of the majority of Lok Sabha members, who are directly elected every five years, lest the prime minister shall resign. The prime minister can be a member of the Lok Sabha or of the Rajya Sabha, the upper house of the parliament. The prime minister controls the selection and dismissal of members of the Union Council of Ministers; and the allocation of posts to members within the government.
One can find more information about the Lok Sabha election process on the Election Commission of India`s official website: https://www.eci.gov.in/.
An overseas voter is an Indian citizen who resides in another country for reasons such as employment, higher education, or various other purposes and has not acquired citizenship of that nation, as per the Election Commission. They are eligible to register as voters using the address listed on their Indian passports. It`s worth noting that Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) were not permitted to cast their votes in general elections before 2010.
The Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) is a device used to electronically record and count votes cast in elections. An EVM consists of two units – a control unit and a balloting unit. The balloting unit is connected to the control unit via a five-meter cable. The control unit is typically held by the Presiding Officer or a Polling Officer, while the balloting unit is placed inside the voting compartment. The control unit is capable of storing the results in its memory for 10 years or more. The Polling Officer in charge of the control unit initiates the voting process by pressing the `ballot` button on the unit, which releases the ballot for the voter. This allows the voter to cast their vote by pressing the candidate button (usually colored blue) on the balloting unit corresponding to the candidate and party symbol of their choice.
Even without an election ID card, you can still vote using most government-issued photo identity documents. Online registration is possible through various portals.
A polling booth is literally where voters go to cast their votes. This voting place is usually located in a government school or office. One can find the polling booth on the Election Commission of India`s website, https://electoralsearch.eci.gov.in/.
Presence of a valid voter ID card is necessary on the day of voting, and the same must be presented to the First Polling Officer at the venue. The names of individual voters are then confirmed in the Register of Voters by the Second Polling Officer, and a signed voter slip is generated. The electronic voting machine (EVM) is kept in a separate compartment of the polling station, allowing the voter privacy while casting votes for their preferred candidate. The process is confirmed by the inking of a small, indelible mark on the left forefinger.
A constituency is a geographical area. It is represented by a member of the state or national legislature. The people of each constituency choose one member through an election.
The big players comprise the ruling BJP, which is seeking a third term in a row, the main Opposition Congress and several key regional players that are currently testing poll waters.
Congress and several regional forces have forged a united front, INDIA, to take on the formidable BJP.
The politics of India has become increasingly bipolar in the run-up to the 2024 Indian general elections with two major alliances emerging; the incumbent National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and the Opposition Indian National Developmental Inclusive (INDIA) Alliance. Six national parties are contesting the 2024 Indian general elections: Bharatiya Janata Party, Indian National Congress, Communist Party of India (Marxist), Bahujan Samaj Party, National People`s Party and Aam Aadmi Party.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) received 37.36% of the vote, the highest vote share by a political party since the 1989 general election, and won 303 seats, further increasing its substantial majority. In addition, the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) won 353 seats. The BJP won 37.76% of the votes, while the NDA`s combined vote was 45% of the 603.7 million votes that were polled. The Indian National Congress won 52 seats, failing to get 10% of the seats needed to claim the post of Leader of the Opposition. In addition, the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) won 91 seats, while other parties won 98 seats.
NOTA, or "None Of The Above," is a voting option on Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) introduced in October 2013 following a Supreme Court order.
There are 543 elected MPs and 2 nominated Anglo-Indians in the Lok Sabha. So for a political party to form the government, the party should have at least half the number i.e. 272 members or more.
A total of 96.8 crore people are eligible to vote in the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha polls, according to the Election Commission of India. This includes 1.8 crore Indians who recently turned 18 and will be eligible to cast their vote for the first time ever.
The model code of conduct is a set of guidelines that candidates, political parties, and governments must follow to ensure fair elections. It comes into effect as soon as the Election Commission announces poll dates.
Political parties and candidates are expected to maintain decorum and refrain from making derogatory remarks or engaging in personal attacks against opponents.
All campaign materials and activities should adhere to ethical standards, avoiding misinformation, hate speech, or any form of coercion.
No party or candidate shall include in any activity which may aggravate existing differences or create mutual hatred or cause tension between different castes and communities, religious or linguistic.
Criticism of other political parties, when made, shall be confined to their policies and programme, past record and work. Parties and Candidates shall refrain from criticism of all aspects of private life, not connected with the public activities of the leaders or workers of other parties. Criticism of other parties or their workers based on unverified allegations or distortion shall be avoided.
The political candidates must accurately disclose their financial resources and expenditures during the campaign period.
It is imperative to adhere to all electoral laws and regulations, including those related to campaigning, funding, and conduct at polling stations.
Cooperation with election officials and law enforcement agencies is essential to ensure smooth conduct of the electoral process.
There shall be no appeal to caste or communal feelings for securing votes. Mosques, Churches, Temples or other places of worship shall not be used as forum for election propaganda.
All parties and candidates shall avoid scrupulously all activities which are “corrupt practices” and offences under the election law, such as bribing of voters, intimidation of voters, impersonation of voters, canvassing within 100 meters of polling stations, holding public meetings during the period of 48 hours ending with the hour fixed for the close of the poll, and the transport and conveyance of voters to and from polling station.
Government machinery should not be exploited for partisan benefit or to affect election results.
Providing inducements, gifts, or advantages in exchange for votes is strictly banned.
Political parties and candidates are prohibited from defacing public property with campaign posters, slogans, or graffiti.
Any act of violence, intimidation, or coercion intended at voters or opponents is an obvious breach of MCC.
First-time voters must register on the official website of the Election Commission of India (ECI) to be able to cast their votes. To get registered, it is crucial to fill the Form 6 online by visiting the National Voters` Service Portal.
They can also enrol offline by applying to the Electoral Registration Officers or Assistant Electoral Registration Officers.
Once the application process is done, voters should check if their names appear in the electoral roll of the constituency where they reside. This can be done by visiting the Electoral Registration Officer of their area or the ECI website.
They then need to check which polling booth they have been allocated.
Voters must follow the general voting procedure that includes the following steps:
1. On the day of voting, visit the allocated polling booth, and show your identity documents to the First Polling Officer.
2. Next, head to the Second Polling Officer to get your left forefinger marked with the ink.
3. Finally, sign or give their thumb impression in the Register of Voters and press the blue candidate button of the Electronic Voting Machine (EVM), on the Balloting Unit against the name and symbol of the candidate they wish to vote for. On pressing the button the red lamp will glow against the name and symbol of the candidate you voted for.
A beep sound will be heard indicating the vote being recorded.
4. After the voting is done, you will be provided with a slip confirming that the vote has been cast.
Additionally, if any voter has any grievance or complaints relating to the electoral roll or any other election-related subject, they can reach out to the presiding officer at the polling station.
ECI announces dates for Lok Sabha elections 2024 : 16th March, 2024
Last day of nominations for phase 1 of polls : 27th March, 2024
Polls to be held in 7 phases : 19th April, 2024
Polls in Maharashtra to be held in five phases : 19th April, 2024
Mumbai, Thane and adjoining areas to vote in fifth phase : 20th May, 2024
Counting of votes & result announcement : 4th June, 2024 Upcoming
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