All you need to know about the Lok Sabha Election 2019

The much awaited Lok Sabha Elections 2019 are here. The results for the same will be announced on May 23 after being held in seven phases from April 11 to May 19. These seven phases would cover 543 constituencies. The dates for the 7 phases are as follows:

Phase 1 - April 11, 2019

Phase 2 - April 18, 2019

Phase 3 - April 23, 2019

Phase 4 - April 29, 2019

Phase 5 - May 6, 2019

Phase 6 - May 12, 2019

Phase 7 - May 19, 2019

In order to check the exact date of voting for you, please visit www.electoralsearch.in.

In India, one is allowed to vote only if his/her name appears in the Voter List (a.k.a. Electoral Roll). Here are 4 ways in which you can check your name in the Voter List:

1. Log on to the website - www.electoralsearch.in and search your name in the National Electoral Roll by entering your details. Not only this, you can even use this website to locate polling station on the map, print the voter information slip, apply for enrolment/modification/deletion and change of address in the electoral roll, get information about the Booth Level Officer, the Electoral Roll Officer, District Election Official and officials in the Chief Election Office, or

2. Call the Voter Helpline by dialling 1950 after adding your STD code, or

3. Send an SMS to 1950 by writing - “ & lt ECI& gt space& lt EPIC (your Election Photo Identity Card) No& gt , or

4. Download the Voter Helpline mobile application.

Let us now understand the process at the Polling Booth when you go to vote:

1. First and foremost, an official would check your name on the voter list and then cross check it with the ID proof that you are required to carry.

2. You will then be given a slip, made to sign on a register and your finger would be inked by another polling official.

3. You would then have to show your inked finger, deposit the slip with the third polling official and then be directed to the polling booth.

4. Once at the Electronic Voting Machine, you have to press the ballot button against the symbol of the candidate that you want to vote for.

5. A slip would appear in the transparent window, displaying the candidate serial number, name and symbol for 7 seconds. You should check the information before it drops in the sealed VVPAT box.

One can even press NOTA (None of the above), if you do not wish to vote for any of the candidates. It is also important to note that cameras, phones and other gadgets are not allowed inside the polling booth.

As one would already know, the main parties contesting the Lok Sabha polls are the BJP and the Congress. Voting is an essential part of a democracy and one needs to make a judicious choice by looking at the pros and cons of the candidate and the party coming into power. After all, the next 5 years in India, in one way or the other would depend on the party in power. In order to choose the best candidate, you should research about who they are, what they represent, their policies that they promise to fulfil, etc. It is also important that you don't vote just based on whom others are voting for. Do your research and vote as per your own preference and decision. Don't let this right go to waste!