'Tentative date' for 2024 Lok Sabha elections revealed? Know truth

The speculation surrounding the date of the 2024 Lok Sabha election in India has been dismissed by Delhi's Chief Electoral Officer. The confusion arose from a letter circulated on social media, indicating April 16, 2024, as a tentative poll day. However, the Delhi CEO clarified that this date was meant for reference in the Election Planner and should not be considered official.

 

 

In the circular, the Office of Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), Delhi, said the commission has tentatively given the poll day as April 16, 2024 "for the purpose of reference and to calculate start and end dates in the Election Planner."The notification was issued to all 11 District Election Officers in Delhi, and is titled "Compliance/adhering to timelines given in Election Planner of Election Commission of India".

 

The circular was sent by Assistant CEO T. Misao. The official X handle of the Office of the Chief Electoral Officer, Delhi, posted that the date is only for “reference” for officials to plan activities.“Some media queries are coming referring to a circular by @CeodelhiOffice to clarify whether 16.04.2024 is tentative poll day for #LSElections2024. It is clarified that this date was mentioned only for ‘reference’ for officials to plan activities as per Election Planner of ECI,” the post clarified.

 

 

 

A follow-up post by the Delhi CEO's office also tagged the Election Commission of India, which reposted the clarification. And sources have told NDTV the process of setting a "reference only" date is standard practice while planning for one of the world's most complicated electoral exercises.

 

While the actual date for the Lok Sabha election is yet to be confirmed, it is anticipated that India will vote for a new government sometime in April, with the election likely to be conducted in multiple phases extending into May. The 2019 election took place over seven phases, starting on April 11 and concluding on May 19, with results announced on May 23.