Andhra Pradesh Lok Sabha Elections 2024 Schedule Announced: Polling on May 13

The Election Commission of India (EC) has set the schedule for the 2024 Andhra Pradesh Lok Sabha elections, with polling slated for May 13. The announcement was made as part of a series of election schedules, including Arunachal Pradesh, and Sikkim, made by Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and Sukhbir Singh Sandhu. The Lok Sabha elections will be held in seven phases starting from April 19 to June 1, with the counting of votes scheduled for June 4.

YS Jagan Mohan Reddy-led YSRCP announced its list of candidates for all the 175 assembly seats and 25 Lok Sabha constituencies in Andhra Pradesh in a gathering at the ‘samadhi’ of former chief minister YS Rajasekhar Reddy. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to attend an NDA election meeting in Palnadu district on Sunday, along with leaders like N Chandrababu Naidu and Janasena‘s Kalyan in Palnadu. This marks the first NDA election meeting in Andhra Pradesh since the alliance’s formation.

The NDA partners have finalized their seat-sharing formula, with BJP contesting six Lok Sabha and 10 assembly seats, while TDP will fight for 17 parliamentary and 144 state seats. Janasena will contest two Lok Sabha and 21 assembly seats, with Kalyan running from Pithapuram constituency. Naidu has announced most of the candidates for the assembly elections.

The Election Commission has taken strict measures to ensure fair elections, with CAPF deployed adequately, and integrated control rooms set up in each district. Voters remain at the heart of the election process, with CEC Kumar emphasizing the importance of transparency to ensure voters’ trust. Violence during elections is categorically condemned, with stringent action promised against impersonators and the swift punishment of those found in violation.

Misinformation remains a significant challenge in the modern era, and the Election Commission has outlined proactive steps to combat fake news. Measures are in place to nip misinformation in the bud, with severe repercussions for originators of false information. Rajiv Kumar concluded with a poignant Shayari urging voters to refrain from forwarding unverified information.