12 Mar :After delimitation of the Lok Sabha seats, 14th Lok Sabha will have 11 more reserved seats while the number of the total seats will remain the same – 543. Number of constituencies reserved for Scheduled Castes has increased from 79 to 84 and number of seats reserved for Scheduled Tribes has increased from 41 to 47.
In forthcoming general elections, the number of eligible voters has also increased over 4.30 crore. The total eligible voters, 71,42,87,814 will use 10.5 lakh electronic voting machines to exercise their franchise at 8.3 lakh polling stations. In 2004 general elections, 6.87 lakh polling stations were set up for 67,14,87,930 electors. Uttar Pradesh will lead with highest number of electors i.e. 11,64,24,101 who will vote at 1,28,112 polling station in five phases, while Lakshadweep will have lowest number of electors i.e. 44,424 and 40 polling stations. Number-wise, Unnao in Uttar Pradesh will be the largest constituency with 18,97,474 electors while Lakshadweep will remain the smallest constituency.
Around 1800 observers will keep close watch on the electoral process, which will have polling spread over five phases across the country.