Highlights: LS election dates out, four states to vote for assemblies

Elections will also be held in Andhra Pradesh, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh and Odisha along with the parliamentary polls. Catch LIVE updates here

7:49 PM

Hardik Patel says he is joining Congresss

Hardik Patel, leader of Gujarat’s Patidar community, announces he is joining on the Congress party. To give shape to my intentions to serve society & country, I have decided to join Indian National Congress on 12th March in presence of Shri Rahul Gandhi & other senior leaders,” he says on Twitter.

7:35 PM

Throw out Modi govt in elections: Kejriwal

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal says elections are an opportunity for the people to throw out Narendra Modi, who he alleges heads "the most dictatorial and anti-federal" government in the history of India".

6:06 PM

Festival of democracy begins, says PM Modi

6:01 PM

Assembly elections in 4 states along with parliamentary polls

Elections for Andhra Pradesh, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh and Odisha to be held simultaneously along with Lok Sabha polls.

 

5:47 PM

Election Data

Phase	Date	No of constituencies	No of States
1	11-Apr	91	20
2	18-Apr	97	19
3	23-Apr	115	14
4	29-Apr	71	9
5	6-May	51	7
6	12-May	59	7
7	19-May	59	8

5:42 PM

3 states to have 7-phase elections

Seven-phase elections in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and West Bengal

5:38 PM

Poll dates out

Lok Sabha elections to be held in seven phases from April 11 to May 19, counting of votes on May 23

5:31 PM

Seven-phase Lok Sabha election

Lok Sabha elections will be held in seven phase: Election Commission

5:28 PM

Social media check

Candidates have to report their social media accounts to the Election Commission. They have to report their expense on social media campaigns

5:23 PM

Android app for voters to complain

Voters can use an Android app to record malpractice during elections and send it to the Election Commission. A government official is duty bound to respond to the complaint within 100 minutes: Chief election commissioner Sunil Arora

5:16 PM

VVPAT to be used at election booths

Voter verifiable paper audit trail (VVPAT) will be used at all election booths in the elections

5:14 PM

10 lakh voting booths

There will 10 lakh voting booths in these elections. An auxillary voting booth can be opened at the last moment: Chief election commissioner Sunil Arora.

5:09 PM

Exams and festivals kept in mind for election schedule

While finalising poll dates, Election Commission kept in mind exam schedules, festivals, harvest season and weather: Chief election commissioner Sunil Arora.

5:06 PM

Meetings and discussions to prepare for elections

Commission started preparing for elections with a series of meetings. Several meetings were held with union home secretary and his team: Chief election commissioner Sunil Arora

5:02 PM

Election Commission press conference begins

Chief election commissioner Sunil Arora begins press conference to announce Lok Sabha election schedule.