An internal note circulated by the office of Delhi’s Chief Electoral Officer having April 16 as the tentative “poll date” to help officials schedule various activities “in the build up” to the Lok Sabha elections created a flutter among journalists about the possible schedule of the upcoming polls.
Responding to queries, 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 CEO office posted on X.
In a communication issued to all the 11 district election officers on January 19, the CEO’s office had referred to the Election Planner issued by the ECI in which various activities in the build up to the election has been given along with the timelines and durations for each activity to start and to be completed.
“For the ensuing General Election to the Lok Sabha 2024, the Commission has tentatively given the Poll Day as 16.04.2024 for the purpose of reference and to calculate start and end dates in the Election Planner,” the circular read.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the office of the Delhi CEO clarified that in the run-up to the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, “it is required to plan and complete a large number of activities pertaining to election”.