97 crore voters to vote across 10.5 lakh polling stations
New Delhi, Mar 16: Around 97 crore voters are set to vote in the 2024 parliamentary elections scheduled to begin on April 19, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajeev Kumar said Saturday.
Shedding light on crucial aspects pivotal to the democratic process, Kumar unveiled pivotal statistics and initiatives of the Election Commission.
He said that the nation boasts a staggering 97 crore registered voters, distributed across 10.5 lakh polling stations.
Kumar said that to ensure the smooth conduct of elections, 1.5 crore polling officials and security personnel would be deployed, accompanied by 55 lakh Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and 4 lakh vehicles.
Highlighting the demographic shift, Kumar emphasised the inclusion of 1.82 crore first-time voters in the electoral rolls, underlining the pivotal role of youth in the country's growth and development.
Expressing concern over the declining quality of political discourse, he asserted the Election Commission’s commitment to stringent action against violators of the Model Code of Conduct.
He announced that in 12 states, the proportion of women voters surpasses that of men, reflecting a positive trend towards gender inclusivity in the electoral process.
In a bid to enhance transparency and accountability, Kumar unveiled 27 applications and portals tailored for various stakeholders.
Notably, the Vigil app empowers citizens to promptly report instances of Model Code of Conduct violations, with assured action within 100 meters of the reported incident.
Addressing electoral malpractices, Kumar said that the distribution of freebies including liquor, gas, and sarees, would be strictly prohibited.
The announcement from the ECI comes against the backdrop of the impending conclusion of the current Lok Sabha’s term on June 16, necessitating the constitution of a new House before the specified date.
Kumar recalled the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, which also unfolded in seven phases.
In 2019, the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) secured a resounding victory, clinching 303 seats, while the opposition trailed with a mere 52 seats.
