Election Commission Faces Criticism from Shiv Sena for Varanasi Election Timing

Shiv Sena (UBT) spokesperson Anand Dubey has criticized the Election Commission of India for the timing of elections in Varanasi, questioning why the Prime Minister‘s constituency is scheduled for the last phase. Dubey raised concerns about the prolonged election period, with results expected to be announced on June 4 after nearly 2.5 months.

In response to the Model Code of Conduct coming into effect, Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar urged political parties to adhere strictly to the poll code as the general elections for 543 Lok Sabha seats are set to take place over seven phases starting on April 19.

The upcoming elections will not only cover the Lok Sabha but also include State legislatures of Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Odisha, and Sikkim within the same timeframe. The voting schedule spans from April 19 to June 1, with different phases designated for various constituencies.

Phase 1 on April 19 will cover 102 constituencies, followed by Phase 2 on April 26 with 89 constituencies. Phase 3 is scheduled for May 7 with 94 constituencies in play. Subsequent phases will continue until June 1, with a total of 96.8 crore eligible voters participating in the 2024 polls.

Shiv Sena’s criticism of the Election Commission’s decision to place Varanasi elections in the final phase reflects the ongoing political dynamics surrounding the upcoming elections. With Prime Minister Narendra Modi expected to campaign nationwide before returning to Varanasi towards the end, the election timing in his constituency has drawn significant attention.