Is Lok Sabha Elections To Start From April 16? This Is What Election Commission Said

After some media houses and social media posts quoted a Delhi State Election Commission circular to report that the Lok Sabha elections will start from April 16, the Commission has now come out with clarification on the date. The Delhi Election Commission said the said the date mentioned in the circular, that was sent to 11 District Election Officers of Delhi, is imaginary poll date to plan and complete large number of activities ahead of the general elections, one of the largest electoral process in the world.

“In the run-up to the ensuing Lok Sabha Election 2024, it is required to plan and complete a large number of activities pertaining to election. ECI Planner enlists all such important activities and provides Start date and End date with reference to an imaginary poll date as reference point to initiate and complete those activities,” the Delhi Election Commission office said in a statement released after it released media queries on the circular.

The earlier circular that had caused confusion, has said that “the Commission has tentatively given the poll day as 16.04.2024 for the purpose of reference and to calculate Start and End dates in the Election Planner,” for the ensuing general election to the Lok Sabha 2024.

According to Delhi Election Commission, since, most of the activities are to be undertaken at the level of all District Election Officers or Returning Officers, its office issued a letter on January 19 to all District Election Officers, indicating that April 16 as a tentative poll date purely for the purpose of advance planning, preparations and completion of activities to the Lok Sabha elections.

“Therefore, the date 16.04.2024 mentioned as tentative Poll Date in the letter was only for reference purpose for the election officials to plan activities as per Election Planner of ECI and has no bearing on the actual schedule of election which shall be announced by ECI at an appropriate time,” it added.