'No Dates Announced Yet': EC Debunks Fake WhatsApp Message on Lok Sabha Election Schedule

The Election Commission of India has debunked a false WhatsApp message regarding the Lok Sabha election schedule, which falsely claims that the polls are scheduled for April 19, with vote counting set for May 22, denouncing the information as “fake.”

The election body further clarified that the official poll schedule will be announced through a formal press conference.

“A fake message is being shared on Whats app regarding schedule for #LokSabhaElections2024 #FactCheck: The message is #Fake. No dates have been announced so far by #ECI. Election Schedule is announced by the Commission through a press conference,” the ECI wrote in a post on X.

This clarification follows a month after an internal note circulated by the office of Delhi’s Chief Electoral Officer, causing confusion. The note mentioned April 16 as the tentative “poll date” to assist officials in expediting preparations.

The Chief Electoral Officer’s office clarified that the date was mentioned only for “reference” for officials to plan activities in accordance with the Election Planner issued by the poll panel.

“Some media queries are coming referring to a circular by @CeodelhiOffice to clarify whether April 16 is tentative poll day for Lok Sabha elections. It is clarified that this date was mentioned only for ‘reference’ for officials to plan activities as per Election Planner of ECI,” the poll officer’s office had said in a post on X.

While the actual date has yet to be confirmed, it is most likely that the voting for a new government will take place sometime in April over several phases and continue till May.

In 2019, the dates for Lok Sabha elections were announced on March 10 and were held in seven phases from April 11 to May 19. Votes were counted on May 23.