Highlights of the day: LS election counting on Jun 4 after 6 wks of voting

Catch all the latest news from around the world here

6:20 PM

Congress questions delay in holding J&K assembly elections

Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said, "I hope the upcoming elections will be conducted fairly and without violence. We have been saying since starting that everyone should get equal rights, we demand this only. Elections can be conducted in 10 phases also if ECI wants but this shows that things have not changed, we are still stuck with the 7 phases process. We talk about digital India but are stuck with the 7-phase process. Also, it would have been a good thing if elections (Assembly) had been announced in J&K also, why are we waiting till September?"

6:18 PM

'There will be a change of power in Himachal Pradesh', says BJP leader Jairam Thakur

On the announcement of 2024 Lok Sabha election dates, Himachal Pradesh's LoP and BJP leader Jairam Thakur said, " In this schedule, there will be a change of power in Himachal Pradesh. BJP will come to power in Himachal Pradesh as well. We have got another chance so we won't let it go, we will win the by-election and Congress govt will fall"

6:18 PM

'Not anxious about what is going to happen, concerned about development', says Congress president Kharge

“We are not anxious about what is going to happen, it was a routine announcement. I have seen nearly 12 (Lok Sabha) elections and there hardly used to be 4-5 phases, but this time it is happening in seven phases. For the entire period, all development work will be stopped, imagine how the country will progress,” says Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on the 2024 Lok Sabha

5:48 PM

We will go to the people with a report card of what PM Modi has done in ten years: UP BJP president

After the Election Commission of India declares the schedule for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, UP BJP president Bhupendra Singh Chaudhary says, "...We are fully prepared. We will go to the people with a report card of what PM Modi has done in ten years. I believe that PM Modi will become the PM for the third time and that too with the biggest margin."

5:47 PM

When will Delhi go to vote for the Lok Sabha polls?

The Election Commission of India (EC) announced that Lok Sabha elections in the national capital will occur in a single phase on May 25. Counting of votes will be done on June 4.

5:36 PM

I hope the upcoming elections will be conducted fairly: Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury

On the announcement of Lok Sabha election dates, Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury says, "I hope the upcoming elections will be conducted fairly and without violence...We have been saying since starting that everyone should get equal rights, we demand this only... Elections can be conducted in 10 phases also if ECI wants but this shows that things have not changed, we are still stuck with the 7 phases process. We talk about digital India but are stuck with the 7-phase process... Also, it would have been a good thing if elections (Assembly) had been announced in J&K also, why are we waiting till September?..."

5:34 PM

'BJP will win 5 out of 5 seats,' says Uttarakhand CM after EC announced poll dates and schedule

On the announcement of 2024 Lok Sabha election dates, Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami says, " Preparations in Uttarakhand have been fully complete...Uttarakhand govt has done all the preparations. People of Uttarakhand consider PM Modi as part of their family...therefore in Uttarakhand, BJP will win 5 out of 5 seats"

5:32 PM

This election is an expression of our ability to work towards building developed India: Defence minister

'This election is not just for gaining power but also an expression of our dedication and ability to work towards the resolve of building a developed India', said defence minister Rajnath Singh on poll dates.

5:30 PM

'Freebies like liquor, gas, sarees will be stopped,' CEC said in the press conference

Strict vigil over illicit online cash transfers, suspicious transactions through payment wallets, Election Commission further informed on poll preparations.

5:29 PM

'Elections belong to you,' says CEC Rajiv Kumar to voters

"Elections belong to you," CEC says as he asks voters to come forward and take part in elections. 2,100 observers deployed to ensure level-playing field and conduct of polls free of inducement, coercion, intimidation, said ECI.

5:27 PM

By-elections to 26 assembly constituencies to be held alongside Lok Sabha polls

"There are 26 assembly constituencies where byelections are due. These are in Bihar, Gujarat, Haryana, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Telangana, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu," says Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar at a press conference.

5:26 PM

Here's what CEC Rajiv Kumar said on Arun Goel's decision to quit

'Arun Goel was very distinguished team member, we must respect if he had personal reasons to quit', Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar said on Arun Goel's decision to quit before Lok Sabha elections.

5:26 PM

'I call upon the people of the entire nation to vote in record numbers', says BJP national president JP Nadda

'Elections are the biggest festival of democracy.. I call upon the people of the entire nation to vote in record numbers', says BJP national president JP Nadda

5:24 PM

India is on a verge of becoming 'vishwa guru', says Shivraj Singh Chouhan on poll dates

"We were waiting for the announcement of poll dates. There's positive atmosphere across the country, PM Modi has done what he said, and India is on a verge of becoming 'vishwa guru'," says former Madhya Pradesh CM and BJP leader Shivraj Singh Chouhan.

5:23 PM

EC stands committed to holding Assembly polls in Jammu and Kashmir soon after Lok Sabha, says CEC Rajiv Kumar

Election Commission of India (ECI) announced on Saturday that Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) assembly elections will be held 'soon after Lok Sabha elections.' "EC stands committed to holding Assembly polls in Jammu and Kashmir soon after LS elections," said CEC Rajiv Kumar.