The first notification will be issued on March 20 and the first phase of voting will take place on April 19 (document)

The central government on Sunday initiated the process of notifying the date of the seven-phase Lok Sabha elections by sending the Election Commission’s recommendations to President Drupadi Murmu, sources said.

According to sources, a Cabinet meeting held this morning recommended the President to issue notifications in different stages.

“The Cabinet approved the recommendation to the President to issue statutory notifications under Section 14(2) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, to the parliamentary constituencies for the purpose of electing members of the Lok Sabha,” sources said.

The first notification will be issued on March 20 and the first phase of voting will be held on April 19 for 102 seats. With the release of the notification, the nomination process for specific stages begins.

The issuance of the notification will kick off the election process for the 18th Lok Sabha.

On the advice, the Law Ministry prepared a proposal to the Union Cabinet recommending the President’s approval for issuance of notifications in different stages.

According to the timetable announced by the Election Commission on Saturday, the 18th Lok Sabha elections will begin on April 19, with subsequent stages on April 26, May 7, May 13, May 20, May 25th and June 1st.

According to sources, the prime minister also asked the ministers to work with officials and secretaries of various ministries to prepare a roadmap for the new government’s first 100 days and the next five years.

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