Lok Sabha Elections dates announced, polls to be held from April 19 in seven phases, results on June 4

The Lok Sabha polls 2024 will be held from April 19 in seven phases across the country, chief election commissioner (CEC), Rajiv Kumar announced here on Saturday, March 16.  

The last phase of voting will be held on June 1, the CEC said. The results of , Kumar said, will be declared on June 4, the day of counting. 

The first phase will be held on April 19 covering 21 states and union territories, the commission said. The second phase will be held on April 26 covering 13 states and union territories and the third phase on May 7 covering 12 states and union territories, it said.

The fourth phase of voting will be held on May 13 covering 10 states and union territories and the fifth phase on May 20 covering eight states and union territories.

The sixth phase of polling will be held on May 25 covering seven states and union territories and the seventh, and the last phase, on June 1 covering eight states and union territories, as per the schedule shared by the

About 96.8 crore voters are eligible to cast their franchise across 543 constituencies at over 10.5 lakh polling stations in the country to elect the 18th Lok Sabha. The voters include 1.89 crore first time voters, including 85 lakh women.

The term of incumbent is ending on June 16. With the announcement of poll dates, the election (MCC) comes into place with immediate effect.

The, led by PM Modi, is seeking a record third term in the upcoming elections. Only , the first Prime Minister, has had three back-to-back terms in office in India's independent history so far. 

The BJP, and PM Modi, has kept a target of 370 seats for the party and 400+ seats for the (NDA) for the upcoming polls.The ruling alliance is up against the INDIA bloc, an amalgamation of several