Elections 2014: India goes to polls on 9 days from April 7 to May 12

New Delhi: India will elect a new Parliament over nine days in April-May in the world's largest democratic exercise, with the Election Commission announcing yesterday that the results will be declared on May 16.

Political parties across the spectrum, already in election gear, largely welcomed the staggered exercise. The BJP exuded confidence it will win the battle but the ruling Congress rubbished the claim.

A whopping 814 million Indians - almost the combined population of Russia, the US, Brazil and Bangladesh -will be eligible to vote in the 16th parliamentary election to elect the 16th Lok Sabha, the House of People or what is called the lower house.

This is an increase of some 100 million from the 2009 election - and a sharp rise from the 176 million of 1951 when newly independent India conducted its maiden Lok Sabha election.

Along with the Lok Sabha polls, Sikkim, Odisha and Andhra Pradesh states will elect new assemblies, Chief Election Commissioner VS Sampath said while unveiling the staggered election schedule at the Vigyan Bhawan convention centre.

"Credible elections are the very soul and hallmark of any democratic system," Sampath told the media. The millions of votes will be counted on May 16, the results coming out in a few hours, a feat perhaps unparalleled in the world.

Sampath urged the people to "vote in an informed and ethical manner" and appealed to political parties and candidates to uphold India's "democratic traditions ... by maintaining high standards of discourse and fair play".