1. ECI Prepares for 2024 Elections with State Visits.
2. CEC Rajiv Kumar Leads Team for Pre-Election Inspection.
3. Election Commissioners Anup Chandra Pandey and Arun Goel Join State Tours.
Patna, Feb 13: The Election Commission of India (ECI) gears up for the Lok Sabha elections 2024 and simultaneous Assembly polls by dispatching a team to visit various states.
Led by Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar, the team, including election commissioners Anup Chandra Pandey and Arun Goel, embarks on a series of visits.
Odisha Visit (February 16-17)
The team initiates its series of visits by heading to Odisha on February 16-17 to assess the state’s preparedness for the upcoming elections.
Bihar Visit (February 20-21)
Following their Odisha visit, the ECI team proceeds to Bihar on February 20-21 to conduct evaluations and engage with local authorities regarding election arrangements.
Bengal Next on the List
While the dates are yet to be confirmed, West Bengal is likely to be the next destination for the Election Commission team, indicating a comprehensive evaluation of election readiness across key states.
Simultaneous Elections on the Horizon
With the terms of the Lok Sabha and several state Assemblies ending in June, states like Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Odisha, and Sikkim are gearing up for simultaneous elections. These states will witness electoral contests for both Lok Sabha and Assembly seats.
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Preparatory Measures
The Election Commission has commenced groundwork, starting with the First Level Check, an essential step involving the cleaning and maintenance of voting machines and mock polls.
First Level Check (FLC)
The FLC includes the meticulous cleaning of Ballot Units (BUs), Control Units (CUs), and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) machines, ensuring they are in optimal condition for polling. This process is initiated approximately four months before Assembly elections and six months before Lok Sabha elections.
Training and Capacity Building
In preparation for the elections, the Election Commission has conducted various training sessions, conferences, and orientation programs for electoral officers and officials at national and regional levels.
- Conference of Chief Electoral Officers (CEOs)
- Training of District Election Officer and Returning Officers
- Orientation program for newly appointed CEOs and officials
- Online training for Electoral Registration Officers (EROs)
Growing Electorate
India’s electorate continues to expand, with a total strength of 96.88 crore eligible voters, making it the largest in the world. Data from the Election Commission reveals an 8% increase in eligible voters compared to 2019, with notable rises in both male and female voters.
