New Delhi: The Indian Election Commission announced the dates for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections today.

The General Elections will be held in seven phases. Elections will be held in seven phases on 11th April, 18th April, 23rd April, 29th April, 6th May, 12th May and 19th May.

Date of counting for all phases on 23rd May, 2019.

The Model Code of Conduct came into effect soon after the announcement.

Voter-verifiable paper audit trail (VVPAT) will be used for all electronic voting machines and as many as 90 crore voters will be eligible to vote this election. Elections in Jammu and Kashmir will undergo five phases, while Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal will see seven phases.

Southern states going to polls on April 18 are Karnataka (14 constituencies), Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. Kerala goes to polls on April 23.

Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir to have five phase elections. However, the Election Commission announced that no assembly election would be held in Jammu and Kashmir, which is presently under the President’s Rule. 

The Chief Election Commissioner said, “Social media posts to be covered under model code of conduct. Candidates are required to furnish details of their social media accounts. All expenditure related to social media will be taken into account. MCC applies to social media accounts.”

For the first time, poll buttons will show candidates’ pictures, the CEC said.

Constituencies in 7 phases of Lok Sabha

Phase1 in 91 constituencies in 20 states

Phase2 in 97 constituencies in 13 states

Phase3 in 115 constituencies in 14 states

Phase4 in 71 constituencies in 9 states

Phase5 in 51 constituencies in 7states

Phase6 in 59 constituencies in 7states

Phase7 in 59 constituencies in 8 states