Author: AVS POST Bureau

Loksabha Election 2024: The term of 17^th Lok Sabha is due to expire on 16^th June, 2024.  Article 324 of the Constitution of India bestows the relevant powers, duties and functions upon the Election Commission of India (hereinafter ECI), while Article 83(2) of the Constitution of India and Section 14 of the Representation of the People Act-1951 provides for the conduct of the elections to constitute a new Lok Sabha before the expiry of its current term. In view of this constitutional and legal provisions, the Election Commission of India has made comprehensive preparations for the conduct of elections to the 18^th Lok Sabha in a free, fair, participative, accessible, inclusive, transparent and peaceful manner.

1. Further, ECI is also to conduct election to the Legislative Assemblies of Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Odisha and Sikkim before the cessation of their terms, in exercise of the authority and powers conferred upon under Article 324 read with Article 172 (1) of the Constitution of India and Section 15 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951.
2. The term and strength along with seats reserved for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes of the Assembly Constituencies of Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Odisha and Sikkim are as under:

1. Elections to the world’s largest democracy pose immense challenges with respect to logistics and man/ woman and material management and the Commission’s endeavor in this direction has been to consult all stakeholders, invite inputs from all relevant departments/ organizations and evolve a coordinated framework for smooth delivery of yet another round of General Election.
2. In the course of assessing various dimensions involved in holding elections to the 543 Parliamentary Constituencies (PCs) and Assembly Election in 4 States, in particular, the parameters to be considered for their scheduling and phasing, the Election Commission of India has planned meticulously for each and every aspect of election much in advance to ensure that these elections are conducted in free, fair, participative, accessible, peaceful and inclusive manner.
3. In the run-up to the General Election to Lok Sabha-2024 and Assembly Election in 4 States, the Commission organized a Conference of the Chief Electoral Officers (CEOs) of all the States and Union Territories on 11^th and 12^th January, 2024 at New Delhi. All aspects of election preparedness were reviewed for each State/UT and relevant instructions were issued to the CEOs to ensure efficient conduct of the elections.
4.  The Commission also organised 5 Regional Conferences at Chandigarh, Chennai, Guwahati, Ahmedabad and Lucknow to review Poll preparedness, to find out any gaps and ways to fill them. These Regional conferences were headed by the Senior Officers of the Commission and were attended by the Chief Electoral officers and State Police Nodal Officers.
5. The Commission has visited many States/UTs to review the poll preparedness and during the visit, the Commission interacted with political parties, enforcement agencies, all District Officers, SSPs/SPs, Divisional Commissioners, Range IGs, CS/DGPs and other senior officers of the States/UTs.
6. The team of senior officers of the Commission visited various States to review law and order situation, to ascertain State/ UT specific areas of concern, to discuss the quantum of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) required in each State/ UT and to review the overall preparedness of the election machinery. The cooperation of all authorities was sought for conducting free, fair and peaceful elections across the country under the overall superintendence, direction and control of the Commission.
7. The Commission has reviewed the ground situation of Manipur and has noted that a large number of electors registered in different constituencies of Manipur were displaced from their native places during recent conflicts. They are now residing in Relief Camps in various districts of Manipur. The Commission, after due consultation with various stake holders, has decided that special polling stations shall be set up at/near the camps where such electors, who opt for such facility, will be able to register their votes in EVMs. In this regard, a detail scheme for internally displaced persons of Manipur to vote in relief camps has been issued by the Commission on 29^th February, 2024.
8. The Kashmiri migrant electors registered in several parts of the erstwhile State of Jammu and Kashmir, particularly Kashmir region, were forced to leave their native places during late 1980s and early 1990s because of terrorist activities of extremists supported from across the Indian borders.  In view of this, the Commission, after consultation with the Central Government and the State Government came out with a scheme to enable these migrant electors to cast their vote from wherever they are residing in the country, by way of postal ballots since 1996 and voting in person at Special Polling Stations set up at Delhi, Udhampur and Jammu since 2002.

Government of India vide notification dated 9^th August, 2019 has abrogated Article 370 of the Constitution of India and promulgated the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019 and Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir would go for elections the very first time since its inception. In view of this, the Commission has decided to extend the earlier scheme, as it is, for Kashmiri migrant electors from the UT of Jammu and Kashmir.

1. The voting in these special polling stations shall be done in the similar manner as is done at normal polling station.  The CEOs/ DEOs have been asked to provide adequate logistics and proper security.  Special training has already been given to conduct poll at such polling stations.
2. The conduct of General Elections in the entire country requires considerable deployment of Central and State Police Forces to ensure peaceful, free and fair elections with fearless participation of electors, especially in vulnerable areas/pockets. Mobilization, deployment and disengagement of these forces with minimum crisscross movement and optimal utilization involved complex planning and detailed analysis, carried out over several rounds of consultations with the senior officers of the Ministry of Home Affairs/ CAPFs/ Police Nodal Officers of the States/ UTs. The Commission also held discussions with the Union Home Secretary to highlight the areas of coordination for effective deployment of these forces.
3. A meeting was also held with the Chairman, Railway Board and other senior officials of the Ministry of Railways in regard to the specific requirements of special trains including other logistics for smooth and timely movement of CAPF Companies and other police forces across States/ UTs, including their intra-State shifting during the election period. Indian Railways has been directed to mobilise rolling stocks with appropriate facilities, ensure timely movement, ensure cleanliness and organize quality food for the forces on move.
4. Keeping in view the interests of the students and also the fact that Polling Stations are mostly located in school buildings and teachers are engaged as polling personnel, the Commission has consciously factored-in the examination schedules of Central Board of Secondary Education and Indian Certificate of Secondary Education in the process of finalizing the poll dates. In addition to this, other relevant factors like various holidays and festivals falling in the months of March, April and May, harvest season in certain parts of the country and the inputs obtained from the Indian Meteorological Department on weather conditions have also been taken into consideration. Thus, while deciding on the number of poll days for each State/ UT and the composition of the PCs that go to polls on a particular poll day, the Commission has, to the extent possible, taken all relevant aspects and information related thereto into consideration.
5. The Commission has updated/consolidated its documents issued vide Manual / Handbook/ Checklist/ Compendium/ Instructions/ Guidelines and has uploaded on the Commission’s website on https://eci.gov.in. These latest documents shall be used in conduct of upcoming elections.
6. A. DELIMITATION OF PARLIAMENTARY CONSTITUENCIES:

1. The General Election to the House of People-2024 to constitute the 18^th Lok Sabha shall be held on the basis of the extent of Parliamentary Constituencies as contained in the “Delimitation of Parliamentary and Assembly Constituencies Order-2008” except the UT of Jammu and Kashmir and the State of Assam.   In the UT of Jammu and Kashmir, the General Election to the House of People-2024 shall be held on the basis of the extent of Parliamentary Constituencies as contained in “Delimitation Commission’s Order No. 2 vide Notification dated 5^th May, 2022. In the State of Assam, the General Election to the House of People-2024 shall be held on the basis of the extent of Parliamentary Constituencies as contained in “Election Commission’s Order No. 2 vide Notification dated 11^th August, 2023 and Corrigendum dated 1^st November, 2023”. Therefore, there is no change in the extent and the status of any Parliamentary Constituency after the General Election to Lok Sabha-2009 in the States/UTs except the UT of Jammu and Kashmir and the State of Assam.
2. Besides, the total number of Parliamentary Constituencies allotted to various States/UTs including SC/ST seats except UT of Jammu & Kashmir also continued to be the same.  As per the Jammu & Kashmir Reorganisation Act-2019, the UT of Jammu & Kashmir was allotted a total of 5 (five) Parliamentary Seats and the UT of Ladakh was allotted 1(one) Parliamentary seat.
3. Section 6 of the “The Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu (Merger of Union Territories) Act-2019 dated 9^th December, 2019” provides that “On and from the appointed day, there shall be allocated two seats to the Union territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu in the House of People and the First Schedule to the Representation of People Act, 1950 shall be deemed to be amended accordingly”. Therefore, the General Election to the House of People-2024 for Union Territory of  Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu shall also be held on the basis of the extent of Parliamentary Constituencies as contained in the “Delimitation of Parliamentary and Assembly Constituencies Order-2008”.

1. DELIMITATION OF ASSEMBLY CONSTITUENCIES:
2. i) General Elections to the Legislative Assemblies ofAndhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Odisha and Sikkim shall be held on the basis of the extent of Assembly Constituencies as contained in the said Delimitation Order-2008.  The total number of ACs allotted to these States, including SC/ST seats, shall also continue to be the same.

(ii)  As per “Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act-2014(No.6 of 2014)” dated 1^st March, 2014 & “Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation (Removal of Difficulties) Order-2015” dated 23^rd April, 2015 and subsequently Commission’s Notification No.282/AP/2018(DEL) dated 22^nd September, 2018, the total number of Parliamentary and Assembly Constituencies assigned in respect of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana States shall be as under: –

1. TRAINING OF ELECTION OFFICIALS:

1. General Elections to Lok Sabha in India is considered to be the biggest man management exercise in the world. It involves a mammoth task to mobilize election machinery of more than 12 million officials for this exercise.
2. Training of these officials thus becomes essential for flawless conduct of elections. Training of such a magnitude can be completed in a cascaded manner whereby master trainers are prepared and they in turn train the participants. India International Institute of Democracy and Election Management (IIIDEM) was established by the Election Commission of India in June 2011 to fulfill this important task of training of election officials from India and abroad. IIIDEM has since been working to achieve its objectives.
3. For General Elections to Lok Sabha and simultaneous Assembly Election in 4 States, IIIDEM has trained 237 National Level Master Trainers (NLMTs) and 1804 State Level Master Trainers (SLMTs), who have been training the Assembly Level Trainers (ALTs), District Level Master Trainers (DLMTs) and other officials of Election Machinery in cascading manner.
4. IIIDEM has organized the following programs to train the important election functionaries:

1. Certification Program for District Election Officers (DEOs) and Returning Officers (ROs) for General Elections to Lok Sabha 2024: An in-depth training program of 2 days per batch was organised for all District Election Officers (DEOs) and Returning Officers from all States/ UTs at IIIDEM. 16 batches comprising of DEOs/ROs of all States/UTs was organized from 5^th to 29^th Dec 2023, wherein 837 officers have been trained in all the aspects of elections.
2. Certification Program for Assistant Returning Officers (for Parliamentary Constituencies) of all States/UTs at State ATIs: IIIDEM has conducted 5 days certification programme for AROs (of PC) of all States/UTs at State ATIs wherein about 5000 AROs (in around 130 batches) were trained at all States/UTs from 27^th November 2023 to 2^nd March 2024.
3. Certification Program for Returning Officers/Assistant Returning Officers of 4 States having simultaneous elections at State ATIs: IIIDEM has conducted 5 days certification programme for about 1100 ROs/AROs (of AC) of 4 States i.e. Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Odisha and Andhra Pradesh having simultaneous elections.
4. Training of EROs at IIIDEM/State ATI: IIIDEM has conducted One-day online training for EROs of all States/UTs in the months of Oct-Nov,2023 in 12 batches. A total of 3100 EROs participated in the training programme.

1. SYSTEMATIC VOTERS’ EDUCATION AND ELECTORAL PARTICIPATION (SVEEP)-

SVEEP (Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation) is a comprehensive programme aimed at reinforcing voter education and promoting active participation in India’s democratic process. The need for SVEEP arises from the Election Commission of India’s unwavering commitment to ensuring the participation of every voter in this monumental celebration of democracy.

SVEEP employs a combination of general and targeted interventions, carefully tailored to align with the socioeconomic, cultural, and demographic characteristics of each state. SVEEP addresses not only the registration gaps but also more glaring issues such as voter apathy, behavioural patterns, and the reasons behind such apathy in different elections.

For enhancing electoral participation, the Commission has directed to take following initiatives:

1. Low Voter Turnout (LVT) analysis: CEOs/ DEOs have been directed to identify low voter turnout PSs/ ACs/ PCs and take targeted initiatives to address specific gaps.

1. Identification of district specific themes of PS:

As the PS is the basic unit of election machinery, it has been directed to focus on district wise PSs for targeted interventions reaching out various groups like women, PWD, Transgender, PVTGs, etc. Model Polling stations to be set up keeping in view the NVD theme.

1. Turnout Implementation Plan (TIP): With a strategic focus on increasing voter participation and engagement, the TIP delineates strategies at the Assembly Constituency level to address low voter turnout and enhance overall participation in the upcoming elections. By adopting a targeted approach at the grassroots level, TIP aims to amplify democratic participation and ensure that every eligible voter exercises their right to vote.
2. Focus on urban and youth apathy: ECI has been addressing the pressing issue of urban and youth apathy in elections. The voting percentage in General Election to Lok Sabha – 2019 was 67.4%, for which the Commission has taken as a challenge to improve upon, just like its mission of “No Voter to be Left Behind”.
3. Election Commission has captured election festivities under its umbrella theme “Chunav ka Parv, Desh ka Garv” (Elections: The Biggest Festival and Pride of the Nation). The overarching theme of this campaign depicts elections as the biggest festival of democracy, the pride of an individual and the country.
4. Targeted campaign such as #MeraPhelaVoteDeshkeLiye is also launched to encourage first-time voters to participate in the electoral process.
5. SVEEP is also leveraging the celebrities and influencers’ reach in disseminating voter awareness, another such effort is a production of short film “My Vote,  My Duty”.
6. Partnership and collaboration: ECI has collaborated with the Ministry of Education, Ministry of railways, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas,  the Department of Posts, the Indian Banking Association, etc. to expand its voter outreach and awareness efforts. Through these organisations, SVEEP aims to enhance electoral literacy among youth and increase voter engagement across the country.
7. Engagement of National Icon: To bridge the gap between citizens, especially youth and urban population, ECI appointed Bharat Ratna Sachin Tendulkar and actor Rajkumar Rao as ‘National Icons’. This collaboration marks a significant step towards leveraging their impact and popularity to increase voters’ participation in the forthcoming General Elections 2024.
8. Engagement and Utilisation of local Icons:

The States have been directed to identify and engage local influential personalities as Election Icons. This would not only add value to the message of voter awareness as well as increase the general outreach in the specific region.

1. SVEEP is using tools like social media to increase voter turnout and make the electoral process more inclusive and accessible. Promoting online portals and mobile apps to empower citizens with knowledge about their electoral rights and simplify online electoral services.

SVEEP plays a crucial role in promoting voter awareness and participation, emphasising the importance of democratic engagement in building a stronger and more inclusive society. As the Election Commission prepares for the General Elections of 2024, it remains committed to empowering citizens and strengthening democracy through its SVEEP initiatives.

1. DISTRICT, AC LEVEL AND BOOTH LEVEL ELECTION MANAGEMENT PLAN:

The District Election Officers have been asked to prepare a comprehensive District Election Management Plan in consultation with SSPs/SPs and Sector Officers, including the route plan and the communication plan for conduct of elections. These will be vetted by the Observer, taking into account vulnerability mapping exercise and mapping of critical polling stations, in accordance with Election Commission of India’s extant instructions.