LOK SABHA ELECTIONS 2019: 10 Lakh polling stations, 900 million-strong electorate, VVPATs with all EVMs, says CEC Sunil Arora announcing the poll dates

On Sunday evening, CEC Sunil Arora announced that 10 lakh polling stations will be set up for the 2019 Lok Sabha polls as against 9 lakh in 2014.

The Election Commission also said that Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) will be used with EVMs in all polling stations. 

"The mandatory First Level Checks and training to District Officers are being ensured to meet the requirement of 100 per cent VVPATs across approximately 10.6 lakh polling stations for the Lok Sabha Election in 2019," CEC said.

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Around 22.3 lakh ballot Units, 16.3 lakh control units and nearly 17.3 lakh VVPATs will be used for the forthcoming elections. In addition to this, basic facilities like drinking water, electricity, etc will be provided at all polling stations.

The Chief Election Commissioner also revealed that in comparison to the 814.5 million people who had voted in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, 900 million would be voting in 2019. 

With the election dates being announced, the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) has come into effect.

Election is going to take place in seven phases instead of 9 as compared to 2014 elections.

• 1st phase polling to be held on 11th April, 
• -2nd phase on 18th April, 
• -3rd phase on 23rd April, 
• -4th phase on 29th April, 
• -5th phase on 6th May, 
• -6th phase on 12th May, 
• -7th phase on 19th May.

Counting of all phases on 23rd May, said the CEC.

With the dates for the all-important Lok Sabha polls now announced, the various political parties and the citizens of India have complete clarity on exactly when the country will once again undertake the largest exercise in democracy anywhere in the world.