‘Only reference to officials’: Delhi Election office clarifies on viral tentative date 

Providing a clarification on the viral letter with a tentative date for the Lok Sabha elections in 2024, the Delhi office of the Chief Electoral Officer on Tuesday said that the date was only mentioned as a "reference" for officials. The letter, addressed to various concerned officials, indicated that the tentative date for the coming Loksabha elections could be April 16.

Taking to X, formerly Twitter, the poll panel said that the date mentioned was ‘tentative’ and “it was mentioned only for reference to officials planning activities as per Election Planner of the Election Commission of India.”

A circular from the office of Chief Electoral Officer, New Delhi caused a stir on social media on Tuesday, which had mentioned April 16 as the poll date in the election planner set by the Election Commission of India.

However, it was later clarified that the date was intended to aid electoral officials in the timely planning and execution of various tasks as per the ECI's Election Planner.

It said that the current schedule of the election does not hinge on this tentative date. The official schedule will be announced by the ECI at the opportune moment.

It elaborated that the lead-up to the Lok Sabha Election 2024 necessitates planning and completion of an array of election-related activities.

It emphasised that most of these activities need to be undertaken at the district level by district election officers or returning officers. The letter in question, dated January 19, was issued to sensitise them.