LS Polls 2019 Live: Jaitley's new mantra 'Modi hai toh mumkin hai'

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has demonstrated during the last five years his indefatigability by literally working round the clock. Not only has he proved to be a quick learner, adapting easily to foreign policy, economic and strategic issues, but his clarity and determination have also facilitated quick decisions making even in complicated matters. The BJP, therefore, has chosen an effective slogan for the forthcoming elections “Modi Hai to Mumkin Hai” – ‘Modi makes it possible’, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley wrote on Facebook.The Election Commission on Sunday announced that the Lok Sabha polls will be held in 7 phases, with the first phase scheduled to take place on April 11 and the last on May 19. The votes will be counted on May 23. The tenure of the current Lok Sabha ends on June 3.

EC to announce Lok Sabha poll schedule at 5 pm today

Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora and Election Commissioners Ashok Lavasa and Sushil Chandra will address a news conference at Vigyan Bhavan in New Delhi.

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Do you trust the EVM?

The EC has made it clear that the EVMs deployed by it were not hackable as these were standalone machines and not connected to the internet.

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EC must clinch debate with a proper VVPAT audit

As the Lok Sabha elections are just around the corner, it is no surprise that the controversy around Electronic Voting Machines (EVM) refuses to die down.Besides individual citizens, all political parties have gone public with their doubts about EVMs at some point or the other. Needless to say, those doubts vanish when they win an election conducted using the very same machines!

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AAP, Maya question EC on poll schedule

Soon after Election Commission's decision to hold a press conference to announce Lok Sabha election dates on Sunday, senior Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Sanjay Singh pointed fingers at the national poll body accusing it ofscheduling it keeping in mind Prime Minister Narendra Modi's programmes.

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Time to bid farewell to Modi is near: Congress

With the Election Commission set to announce the dates for the Lok Sabha polls, the Congress on Sunday described it as the first day of the festival to bid farewell to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

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Aim to have free and fair elections: CEC Sunil Arora

Indian elections a beacon light for all emerging democracies: CEC Arora

We held deliberations will several departments to ensure a smooth election process. A team of the ECI visited different states and union territories, Arora says.

Nearly 900 million voters are eligible to take part in the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections: Arora

Nearly 900 million voters are eligible to take part in the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections, whereas 814.5 million were in the electoral roll during 2014 parliamentary elections.

Any violation of Model Code of Conduct will be dealt with strictly: CEC Arora

The Model Code of Conduct (MCC) comes into effect from today itself in the entire country. Any violation will be dealt with strictly: CEC Arora

VVPATS will be used in all polling stations: CEC Arora

There will be approximately 10 lakh polling stations in this Lok Sabha Elections as compared to 9 lakh polling stations in 2014. VVPATS will be used in all polling stations.

Counting 10% of paper trail should do the trick

The Indian voter now faces a Shakespearean dilemma: to trust the Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) or not? The final word has not been said yet, with the Election Commission insisting that EVMs cannot be tampered with and those whoinsist that they can be, unable to prove it so far. DH'sShemin Joyspoke to Sanjay Kumar, Director of the Centre for the Study of Developing Societies (CSDS), on the issue.

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Photos of candidates on EVMs: CEC Arora

Photos of all the candidates will be present on EVMs. Central police forces will be deployed in large numbers. The numbers can't be discussed says Arora.

All content put up by candidates on social media also to be covered under Model Code of Conduct: CEC Arora

Social media advertisements by candidates need pre-certification, says CEC Arora.

Lok Sabha elections to be held in seven phases

1st phase polling to be held on 11th April, 2nd phase on 18th April, 3rd phase on 23rd April, 4th phase polling to be held on 29th April, 5th phase polling on 6th May, 6th phase polling on 12th May, 7th phase 12th May. Counting of all phases on 23rd May.

2 phased poll in Karnataka

Division of constituencies in 7 phases

Phase 1: 91 constituencies in 20 states

Phase 2: 97constituencies in 13 states

Phase 3: 115 constituencies in 14 states

Phase 4: 71constituencies in 9 states

Phase 5: 51 constituencies in 7 states

Phase 6: 59 constituencies in 7 states

Phase 7:59 constituencies in 8 states

2 phased polls in Karnataka

Karnataka to undergo 2 phased polls on April 18th and April 23rd for 14 Lok Sabha seats each.

Tamil Nadu to vote in a single phase on April 18, filing of nominations to begin on March 19

No assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir for now: CEC Arora

Based on input, the constraint of availability of central forces and other logistics, therequirement of forces for the security of candidates in wake of recent violence and keeping other challenges in mind, the EC has decided at this stage to announce onlythe schedule of parliamentary elections in J&K.

Rajasthan to go to polls for 25 seats in two phases

Rajasthan to go to polls for 25 seats in two phases - April 29 and May 6.

Assembly polls in Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal, Odisha and Sikkim to be held with Lok Sabha polls: EC

Delhi to go to polls on May 12

Delhi has seven seats and at present all those are held by the BJP. Pro-alliance sections in both Congress and Aam Aadmi Party believe that a triangular contest would only help BJP.

Maharashtra to go for the polls in 4 phases on April 11, 18, 23 and 29

Anantnag Lok Sabha seat in J&K to go for polling in three phases due to security reasons: CEC Arora

Press conference by Karnataka Chief Electoral Officer at 7 pm today

The festival of democracy is here: Modi

I urge my fellow Indians to enrich the 2019 Lok Sabha elections with their active participation. I hope this election witnesses a historic turnout. I particularly call upon first-time voters to vote in record numbers, Modi tweeted.

Time to throw out anti-federal govt: Kejriwal

Ultimately back to We the people -the real power of our democracy. Time to throw out the most dictatorial and anti-federal govt in the history of India. Time to seek answers on demonetisation, jobs, destruction of traders n destroying brotherhood amongst different communities, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal on Twitter.

Watch Live | Press Conference by Election Commission Of India

Political parties/candidates have been directed to use eco-friendly substances campaign material

Commission has also directed political parties/candidates to desist from using environmentally hazardous publicity material&promote usage of eco-friendly substances for the preparation of election campaign material, this is a kind of appeal to everybody: CEC Sunil Arora.

First time since 1996 Assembly elections in J&K are not being held on time: Omar Abdullah

First time since 1996 Assembly elections in J&K are not being held on time. Remember this the next time you are praising PM Modi for his strong leadership, Omar Abdullah on Twitter.

Hindi heartland holds the key to power in 2019

The die is cast for the big political fight of 2019 with Election Commission announcing dates for the seven-phased Lok Sabha polls, which will elect India's next Prime Minister.The election will decide whether the Congress is in for a substantial comeback after its shock 44 performance in 2014 especially after its 3:0 victory in assembly polls in Hindi heartland states-Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarhmonths back or whether the BJP, which breaking jinx had become the first party to get single a party majority after 30 years in 2014, still holds its sway on masses.

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Phase wise schedule of Lok Sabha elections

Congress welcomes declaration of LS election schedule

The Congress welcomed the declaration of the Lok Sabha election schedule and said the victory will be of the truth.

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Lok Sabha Polls: Karnataka Voter split

Total voters: 5,03,46,721 cr

2.5 cr male

2.48 cr female

4,718 others

Assembly polls in 4 states with LS polls but not in J&K

The assembly polls in Arunachal Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and Sikkim will be held simultaneously with the Lok Sabha elections but not in Jammu and Kashmir due to security reasons, Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora said on Sunday.

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LS Polls: Points from Karnataka CEO PC

* There will be four polling staff in each booth instead of 5 like in previous polls

* Each district has a district election management plan and communication plan

* Karnataka has a total of 58186 polling stations

* Wherever there are mobile connectivity problems, alternative arrangements will be made

* All DCs and SPs were in video conference asked to enforce model code of conduct

* A bar has been placed on political advertisements

Serious concerns over funding enabled by opaque Electoral bonds brought in by this govt: CPIM Gen Secretary Sitaram Yechury​

With the announcement of General Elections, the Model code of conduct comes into force. It will end the unfair use of govt resources by Modi govt. Secular, democratic India is confident that EC will conduct free, fair & safe elections to ensure a smooth transition to the next govt.
There are serious concerns over funding enabled by opaque Electoral bonds brought in by this govt and excessive spending by the ruling party. It is important that this is closely monitored and the integrity of our electoral process is maintained, says CPIM Gen Secretary Sitaram Yechury.

"Diabolical motive?" Sitaram Yechury on EC decision not to conduct Assembly polls along with LS Polls in Kashmir

It is perplexing how the security situation in J&K is good enough to conduct Lok Sabha elections but not for assembly elections which are also due. Is there a diabolical motive?

Poll shows BJP-led NDA has lead with narrow margin

The BJP-led NDA may manage to hold on to power for one more term but with a slender margin, an Opinion poll predicted on Sunday soon after the schedule for the Lok Sabha polls was announced.

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Aam Aadmi Party's Sanjay Singh continues his attack on Election Commission

Has Modi sent his campaign schedule to Election Commission before hand and then the EC announced the schedule for # LokSabhaElections2019? Have you ever heard of 7-phase poll in West Bengal?

Modi seeks people's 'blessings' in polls

Soon after the Election Commission of India (ECI) announced the dates for elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday sought “blessings” of the electors, highlighting the steps taken by his government towards development of the country and welfare of its people.

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Congress leader Tom Vadakkan joins BJP

Congress leader Tom Vadakkan joins Bharatiya Janata Party in presence of Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad. (ANI)

'Modi Hai To Mumkin Hai': Jaitley on Facebook