Elections: Andhra Pradesh is gearing up for its third election campaign in less than 100 days, as the Central Election Commission has instructed regional Electoral Officers to begin polling responsibilities. Previously, the Chief Electoral Officer of Delhi issued a directive to regional officials, instructing them to keep April 16th as the tentative date for the first round of polling. This swiftly spurred reports that Andhra Pradesh polls will be held on April 16th.
The AP participated in the first round of polling in 2019 as well, and the same schedule will be followed in 2024 when the state will participate in the first round of polling. Thus, it was assumed that April 16th would be the AP polling date when the CEO released a curriculum with that date listed as a preliminary one. The CEC did clarify that April 16 is only a provisional date. Regarding a circular from @CeodelhiOffice, several media inquiries are being made in an attempt to ascertain whether April 16, 2024, is a provisional poll date for the #LSElections2024. The CEC explained that this date was solely included as a “reference” for officials to schedule events in accordance with the Election Planner of ECI.
Given that the CEC often wants to finish the first round of voting as soon as possible, it is likely that the polling in Andhra Pradesh will take place in the first week of April. Alternatively, under a postponed situation, the elections would most likely take place on or about April 16. In about three weeks, the election code will be made public, and as soon as it does, the release of the voting places and counting dates may happen at any time.
Ratnavali