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NEW DELHI: The office of the Chief Electoral Officer, Delhi, has clarified after a letter went viral on social media, leading to speculations that April 16 could be the Lok Sabha election date.
The Chief Electoral Officer of Delhi in a post on social media platform X has said that the letter dated 19th January 2024 to District Election Officers, which went viral, had indicated that 16th April as a tentative poll date “purely for the purpose of advance planning, preparations and completion of activities related to ensuing General Election to Lok Sabha 2024.”
The date of April 16, 2024, is mentioned in the letter only for reference purpose for the election officials to “plan activities as per Election Planner of Election Commission of India and has no bearing on the actual schedule of election which shall be announced by Election Commission of India at an appropriate time,” the Chief Electoral Officer of Delhi further said.
Clarifying queries about the letter, the Chief Electoral Officer of Delhi explained that the mentioned date of 16/04/2024 as a tentative poll day for Lok Sabha Election 2024 was used as a reference point in the Election Commission of India (ECI) Planner.
The ECI Planner outlines essential activities with start and end dates in relation to an imaginary poll date to facilitate timely execution of these activities at the district level, it said. The date was solely for the purpose of advance planning, preparations, and coordination of activities associated with the upcoming General Election to Lok Sabha 2024, it said.
“Some media queries are coming referring to a letter dated 19/01/2024 issued by Office of CEO, Delhi to clarify whether 16/04/2024 is tentative poll day for Lok Sabha Election 2024. In this regard, it is clarified that in the run-up to the ensuing Lok Sabha Election 2024, it is required to plan and complete a large number of activities pertaining to election. ECI Planner enlists all such important activities and provides Start date and End date with reference to an imaginary poll date as reference point to initiate and complete those activities,” Chief Electoral Officer, Delhi, said in its clarification.
“Since, most of the activities are to be undertaken at the level of all District Election Officers/Returning Officers, in order to sensitize them to ensure timely start and completion of the activities as per the Election Planner, office of CEO Delhi, issued a letter dated 19.01.2024 to all District Election Officers, indicating 16.04.2024 as a tentative poll date purely for the purpose of advance planning, preparations and completion of activities related to ensuing General Election to Lok Sabha 2024,” it added.
