Shillong, Jan 23: A circular from the Office of the Chief Electoral Officer in Delhi, dated January 19, 2024, referring to April 16, 2024 as the poll date in the Election Planner issued by the Election Commission of India has caused a stir on Tuesday.
The circular states,”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.”
Addressed to all 11 district election officers (DEOs) of Delhi, the circular is titled “Compliance/adhering to the timelines given in the Election Planner of Election Commission of India -regarding.”
In connection to this matter, the Assistant Chief Electoral Officer stated that it is expected of everyone to “adhere to the given timelines for initiating and completing each election activity mentioned in the Election Planner and send a report to COE Branch, office of CEO, Delhi… at least one day prior to the Start and End dates of the activity(s).”
The CEO Delhi later issued a statement clarifying that this was merely to assist officials in “planning activities,” and the date was “tentative.”
“Some media queries are coming referring to a circular by @CeodelhiOffice to clarify whether 16.04.2024 is tentative poll day for #LSElections2024 It is clarified that this date was mentioned only for ‘reference’ for officials to plan activities as per Election Planner of ECI,” he wrote on x.
