19 Mar : A formal nod for issuing notifications for the commencement of General Election process was given by the government on Wednesday.A meeting of the Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, approved the issue of notifications by the President for the five-phase polls beginning 16th April.
The notifications will be on 23rd March, 28th March, 2nd April, 7th April and 17th April, Home Minister P Chidambaram told reporters in New Delhi on Wednesday.The Election Commission had announced the schedule for General Elections as well as to the Legislative Assemblies of Andhra Pradesh, Orissa and Sikkim to be held on 16th April, 23rd April, 30th April, 7th May and 13th May.
The Representation of the People Act requires that the President shall issue notifications for the General Elections.