Election schedule to be announced today

The Election Commission is set to unveil the schedule for the upcoming Lok Sabha and Assembly polls on March 16. In a post on X, the poll panel announced that the schedule for Lok Sabha elections and some state assemblies will be disclosed at 3 pm on Saturday.
The announcement has been eagerly anticipated by political parties, candidates, and citizens nationwide.
The schedule, to be revealed during the press conference, will provide crucial details regarding various stages of the electoral process, including polling dates, notification issuance, nomination timelines, scrutiny procedures, withdrawal deadlines, polling dates, and vote counting.
One significant immediate effect of the announcement will be the implementation of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC).
The Model Code of Conduct, a set of guidelines issued by the Election Commission, lays down the norms and standards to be adhered to by political parties and candidates during the election process.
Its purpose is to ensure a level playing field for all parties, prevent the misuse of governmental resources for electoral gains, and maintain the integrity of the electoral process. Under the MCC, restrictions are imposed on various activities such as campaigning, political advertisements, and the use of government machinery, all aimed at fostering free and fair elections.
With the tenure of the current Lok Sabha expiring on June 16, a new House must be formed before then. In the last election cycle, Lok Sabha elections were announced on March 10 and held in seven stages commencing April 11, with vote counting on May 23.
In addition to the general elections, several states are slated for legislative assembly elections in 2024. These include Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Maharashtra, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Haryana, and Jharkhand.
In Andhra Pradesh, the upcoming state elections, expected in April, will witness the YSR Congress Party defending its dominant position after securing 151 out of 175 seats in 2019.