New Delhi [India], April 18 : As people gear up to participate in the first phase of the Lok Sabha elections, Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar on Thursday appealed to voters to exercise their democratic rights.
Voting will take place on 102 constituencies across 21 states and union territories in the first phase of Lok Sabha elections tomorrow. Voters in Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim will also elect their assemblies on Friday.
Voting begins at 7 and will end at 6 pm.
On the eve of polling day, the CEC reminded people of the significance of each vote, saying there have been instances when one vote has mattered in a critical contest.
"In the last two years, the Election Commission and its employees have worked hard to ensure a peaceful and simple voting experience. I would like to appeal to all to cast their vote," he said in a video message.
Kumar further said that every polling center has been set up on the ground floor with amenities like drinking water, washrooms, shed, ramps, help desk and volunteers.
"Voters with the age of 85 years or more and belonging to the PWD category can opt to vote from their homes. The enthusiasm of Indian voters will beat the extreme weather. You will be deciding MPs, MLAs in four states and next government in the country," he added.
He said that the elections are the most beautiful expression of India's democracy and there is "nothing like voting".
Referring to the heatwaves in different parts of country, Rajiv Kumar said that people must take all precautions.
"But I know the spirit of the Indian voter will beat the summer heat," he added.
With world's largest democratic exercise underway in India, voters will begin exercising their franchise on Friday to elect 543 members of Parliament in a seven-phased election that is unparalleled in terms of its scale and logistics and covers every voter of the vast and diverse country.
This year's Lok Sabha election, to be conducted from April 19 to June 1, will be the second-longest polling exercise in the country's electoral history after the first general election which was held over five months between September 1951 and February 1952.
The last general elections in 2019 were also held in seven phases.
Polling will also be held on April 26, May 7, May 13, May 20, May 25, and June 1 to elect the 18th Lok Sabha and votes will be counted on June 4. New assemblies will also be elected in Andhra Pradesh and Odisha.