During the seventh phase of Lok Sabha election polling, a violent altercation broke out between Trinamool Congress (TMC) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers in Meraganj, situated in West Bengal's South 24 Parganas district, on Saturday.
The clash occurred at booth numbers 40 and 41, leaving several individuals injured, according to police reports. This incident underscores the ongoing tensions between the two prominent political parties in the area during the crucial final phase of the elections.
In a significant protest, more than 400 villagers in Dumka district, Jharkhand, boycotted the voting process during the seventh and final phase of the Lok Sabha elections on Saturday. The boycott was in response to the construction of a coal dumping yard, as reported by an official.
At booth number 94 in Bagdubhi village, which falls under the Dumka Lok Sabha constituency, a total of 426 voters chose not to exercise their franchise. Dumka Circle Officer Amar Kumar informed PTI, "Out of 430 voters enrolled in the booth, only four electors have exercised their franchise till 3 pm."
The villagers have been actively protesting against the construction of the Railways' coal dumping yard. In an attempt to resolve the issue, Sub-divisional Officer Ajay Kumar held a meeting with the villagers and assured them that the matter would be raised with higher authorities. Despite this, the villagers remained firm in their decision not to vote.
Lakshman Soren, a representative of the village, expressed the community's stance to PTI, saying, "We made it clear that if the SDO gives us an assurance in writing to stop the construction of the yard, we will go to cast our votes. But, we were not given any such assurance."
The boycott highlights the villagers' strong opposition to the coal yard construction and their demand for a written assurance to halt the project.
A voter turnout of 58.34 per cent was recorded till 5 pm, as per the Elections Commission. The polling across 58 constituencies had started at 7 am today. West Bengal leads with 69.89 per cent, followed by Jharkhand with 67.95 per cent and Himachal Pradesh with 66.56 per cent. Bihar recorded low voter turnout with 48.86 per cent.
Sl No | State/UT | Approximate Voter Turnout |
---|---|---|
1 | Bihar | 48.86% |
2 | Chandigarh | 62.80% |
3 | Himachal Pradesh | 66.56% |
4 | Jharkhand | 67.95% |
5 | Odisha | 62.46% |
6 | Punjab | 55.20% |
7 | Uttar Pradesh | 54.00% |
8 | West Bengal | 69.89% |
The INDIA alliance meet at Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge's residence in Delhi is underway. The meeting is being attended by Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, K. C. Venugopal, Priyanka Gandhi, Akhilesh Yadav, Ram Gopal Yadav, Sharad Pawar, Jitendra Awhad, Arvind Kejriwal, Bhagwant Mann, Sanjay Singh, Raghav Chadha, T. R. Baalu, Tejashwi Yadav, Sanjay Yadav, Champai Soren, Kalpana Soren, Farooq Abdullah, D. Raja, Sitaram Yechury, Anil Desai, Dipankar Bhattacharya, and Mukesh Sahani.
The latest voter turnout trends indicate that Jharkhand edged ahead of Himachal Pradesh with 60.14 per cent polling till 3 pm. The overall turnout was recorded at 49.68 per cent. Bihar continued to witness low voter turnout which stood at 42.95 per cent. Here's the full list:
Sl No | State/UT | Approximate Voter Turnout |
---|---|---|
1 | Bihar | 42.95% |
2 | Chandigarh | 52.61% |
3 | Himachal Pradesh | 58.41% |
4 | Jharkhand | 60.14% |
5 | Odisha | 49.77% |
6 | Punjab | 46.38% |
7 | Uttar Pradesh | 46.83% |
8 | West Bengal | 58.46% |
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi arrived at the residence of party president Mallikarjun Kharge ahead of the INDIA alliance meet. Several leaders of alliance parties including National Conference leader Farooq Abdullah, NCP-SCP chief Sharad Pawar, Jharkhand CM Champai Soren and JMM General Secretary and Spokesperson Supriyo Bhattacharya reached at Kharge's residence. Meanwhile, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav landed in Delhi ahead of the meeting.
The father of singer deceased singer Sidhu Moosewala, Balkaur Singh cast his vote at a polling booth in Punjab during the seventh phase of polling on Saturday.
The 57 polling constituencies across eight states and union territories of India recorded an approximate turnout of 40.09 per cent with Himachal Pradesh leading at 48.63 per cent. On the other hand, Bihar recorded the least voter turnout of 35.65 per cent. Here are the latest numbers:
Sl No | State/UT | Approximate Voter Turnout |
---|---|---|
1 | Bihar | 35.65% |
2 | Chandigarh | 40.14% |
3 | Himachal Pradesh | 48.63% |
4 | Jharkhand | 46.80% |
5 | Odisha | 37.64% |
6 | Punjab | 37.80% |
7 | Uttar Pradesh | 39.31% |
8 | West Bengal | 45.07% |
A stringer with ANI sustained severe injuries on his head in a stone pelting incident amid polling in West Bengal. Bunty Mukherjee was injured in the clash between BJP and TMC workers while covering the last phase of elections.
Popular Bollywood actor and youth icon for the Lok Sabha 2024 elections, Ayushmann Khurrana voted in Chandigarh today and urged voters to step out and exercise their franchise.
In a unique attempt to raise voter awareness, an Uttar Pradesh citizen has been arriving to vote on a horse in every election since 2012.
At a height of 15,256 feet above sea level, a polling booth in Tashigang village of Himachal Pradesh is witnessing polling in the seventh phase of the Lok Sabha elections. Here are glimpses from the station:
Monks from the Kolkata ISKCON temple exercised their franchise and cast their vote at a polling station in the city.
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu exercised his franchise at a polling booth in Hamirpur in the ongoing seventh phase of Lok Sabha polls on Saturday.
As of 11 am, the Election Commission of India (ECI) reports that the approximate voter turnout across eight states stands at 26.30%. Himachal Pradesh maintains its lead with 31.92%, while Odisha records the lowest polling at 22.64%.
Sl No | State/UT | Approximate Voter Turnout |
---|---|---|
1 | Bihar | 24.25% |
2 | Chandigarh | 25.03% |
3 | Himachal Pradesh | 31.92% |
4 | Jharkhand | 29.55% |
5 | Odisha | 22.64% |
6 | Punjab | 23.91% |
7 | Uttar Pradesh | 28.02% |
8 | West Bengal | 28.10% |
Amid talks of the wealthiest candidates looking for a term in the Lok Sabha, here is a list of the poorest candidates in the fray. Bhanumati Das of Utkal Samaj contesting the Jagatsinghpur seat in Odisha is the poorest candidate with assets worth only Rs 1,500. She is followed by Rajiv Kumar Mehra and Balaram Mandal who have declared assets worth Rs 2,500 each. Mehra is the JSDP candidate in Punjab's Ludhiana, while Mandal is an independent candidate contesting from Jadavpur in West Bengal.
As polling commenced in the final and seventh phase for Bihar's eight Lok Sabha seats situated within Patna and Shahabad divisions, the Meteorological Department issued a heatwave alert for the constituencies of Karakat, Buxar, and Sasaram.
A Meteorological Department official warned that temperatures would range between 41 to 44 degrees Celsius with humidity levels exceeding 70 per cent, leading to oppressive heat conditions. The voting process for the constituencies of Patna Sahib, Pataliputra, Nalanda, Arrah, Buxar, Sasaram, Karakat, and Jehanabad began at 7 am on Saturday, with citizens lining up early in the morning to cast their votes and avoid the scorching afternoon temperatures.
At around 6:40 am on Saturday, reserve EVMs and papers belonging to the sector officer was looted by a local mob at the 129 Kultali AC under the Jaynagar constituency. A CU and BU each and two VVPAT machines were thrown in a pond, stated the CEO, West Bengal.
A police complaint was filed and necessary action has been initiated.
The approximate voter turnout trends in the initial phases of the polling are in and according to it, Himachal Pradesh saw the most turnout so far at 14.35 per cent. On the other hand, the lowest polling was observed in Odisha where only 7.69 per cent turnout was recorded till 9 am. Overall, the voter turnout stood at 11.31 per cent in the Phase 7.
Sl No | State/UT | Approximate Voter Turnout |
---|---|---|
1 | Bihar | 10.58% |
2 | Chandigarh | 11.64% |
3 | Himachal Pradesh | 14.35% |
4 | Jharkhand | 12.15% |
5 | Odisha | 7.69% |
6 | Punjab | 9.64% |
7 | Uttar Pradesh | 12.94% |
8 | West Bengal | 12.63% |
BJP's candidate from Himachal Pradesh's Mandi seat, Kangana Ranaut voted in her constituency in the seventh phase. She is up against Congress' Vikramaditya Singh.
BJP candidate from the Jadavpur constituency in West Bengal, Anirban Ganguly voted at a polling station in his constituency.
Renowned Hindustani classical singer and Padma awardee Pandit Chhannulal Mishra said, "I urge everyone to cast their vote...This is for the entire country...There is a difference between the Kashi which was there before and the Kashi which is there now. This has transformed, it is all due to PM Modi...More should be done for music. Music is the heritage of our country, the identity of Banaras..."
AAP leader and Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann along with his wife Dr Gurpreet Kaur exercised their franchise at a polling station in the Sangrur constituency today.
Uttar Pradesh Congress chief and a candidate from the Varanasi seat, Ajay Rai cast his vote and said, "We are getting silent votes and those who were with other parties like BSP, Apna Dal are coming with us. That is why it seems that the public is in the mood for change. The businessmen, weavers in the city are unhappy. All the businesses were ruined due to GST...He (PM Modi) should have sat on the banks of Ganga ji and done meditation here..."
Notably, Rai is up against Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the Varanasi seat.
Ex-Bihar Chief Minister, former union minister and RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, wife Rabri Devi and daughter as well as party candidate from the Saran Lok Sabha seat, Rohini Acharya cast their vote at a polling station in Patna.
Today's polling, the final phase of the seven-part grand electoral process in India, is being held in 57 polling constituencies across eight states and union territories. Polling is being held at as many as 1,09,932 voting centres and there are a total of 904 candidates in contention in today's polls.
Out of all the candidates, only 95, that is, just around a meagre 10 per cent, are female. 450 of the candidates, that is, roughly 50 per cent of the candidates are either graduate or above.
Meanwhile, 299 canidates, that is around 33 per cent are crorepatis with their personal worth going in crores. Additionally, 199 candidates out of the 904 in the seventh phase have criminal cases against them, that is, around 22 per cent of the total candidates in the fray today.
Veteran actor Mithun Chakraborty cast his vote at a polling booth in Belgachia. Having cast his vote, Chakraborty said that he is a BJP cadre and did his duty.
PM Narendra Modi, who sat for a 48-hour meditation at the Vivekananda Rock Memorial in Kanyakumari, took to X to urge voters to show up in numbers.
"Today is the final phase of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. As 57 seats across 8 states and UTs go to the polls, calling upon the voters to turnout in large numbers and vote. I hope young and women voters exercise their franchise in record numbers. Together, let's make our democracy more vibrant and participative," he said in a post on X.
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) national president Jagat Prakash Nadda cast his vote in Himachal Pradesh's Bilaspur in the seventh phase. Nadda called for voters to contribute in making India a capable, self-reliant and developed nation.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath cast his vote at a polling booth in Gorakhnath in Gorakhpur.
AAP leader and MP Raghav Chadha cast his vote in Punjab on Saturday in the seventh and last phase. He called for people to turn up in large numbers to exercise their right.
Ahead of the final phase of elections in Odisha, the BJP has accused certain Self Help Group (SHG) women members of distributing money at Mission Shakti Bhavan in Remuna block, Balasore district, on Friday evening. Acting on the allegation by BJP MLA candidate Govind Charan Das, a flying squad swiftly conducted a raid at the site and seized ₹1,18,000. During the raid, three women reportedly fled the scene.
Polls officially opened at 7 am and will close at 5 pm in most states, marking the commencement of the seventh and final phase of the Lok Sabha general elections.
With over one million polling stations set up across the country, the Election Commission of India has ensured that no home is more than 1.2 miles away from a polling station. This extensive network aims to facilitate easy access for the vast number of eligible voters.
The Election Commission of India’s website provides crucial information about the location of polling booths and poll timings. To be eligible to vote, individuals must be Indian citizens aged 18 or older and must be registered on the electoral roll.
Millions of Indian citizens residing abroad are eligible to vote. However, they must register and return to India to cast their ballots. Limited provisions for postal voting exist, mainly for members of the armed forces or government employees on election duties away from their home constituencies.
A total of 968 million voters are registered for this election, comprising 497 million men and 471 million women. This substantial electorate underscores the scale and importance of the democratic process in India.
In-person voters select their candidate by pressing a button on an electronic voting machine, a system designed to streamline the voting process and ensure accurate tabulation of votes.
As the day progresses, millions of voters across the nation will exercise their democratic right, contributing to the world’s largest electoral exercise.
As many as 57 parliamentary constituencies spread across eight states and union territories will go to polls on Saturday in the seventh and final phase of voting for the Lok Sabha elections 2024. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be among the major candidates in the fray in the last phase.
Polling will be held in Bihar, Chandigarh, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Odisha, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal. This will mark the end of voting for the world's largest election marathon that began on April 19. Polling for 486 Lok Sabha seats have been completed in the six previous phases
904 candidates from the eight states and UTs will contest elections in Phase 7. A total of 2,105 nominations were filed for 57 parliamentary constituencies across going for polls in the last phase for the Lok Sabha elections.
The biggest name in the fray in the last phase is undoubtedly Prime Minister Narendra Modi from Varanasi. Apart from him, there are other high-profile candidates who will be vying for votes tomorrow.
Prime Minister and senior BJP leader Narendra Modi will be contesting the Lok Sabha polls from Varanasi and will look to secure a third term from the seat. There will be six candidates against him including Uttar Pradesh Congress chief Ajay Rai.
Actress-turned-politician Kangana Ranaut will contest the Mandi Lok Sabha seat as a BJP candidate. She will compete against Vikramaditya Singh, the Congress candidate and royal scion of the former Rampur Bushahr princely state. Vikramaditya Singh is the son of Virbhadra Singh, who served as Himachal Pradesh's chief minister six times.
Sitting MP and Union Minister Anurag Thakur will contest the Hamirpur Lok Sabha seat, aiming to retain it. His main opponent in the election will be Satpal Raizada, the Congress candidate and close confidante of Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu.
Jailed Waris Punjab De leader Amritpal Singh will run as an independent candidate from Khadoor Sahib. The Aam Aadmi Party, Congress, BJP, and Akali Dal are also contesting this seat independently, without any alliances.
Polling in the sixth phase of General Elections 2024 which commenced across 58 PCs recorded an approximate voter turnout of 59.06 per cent as of 7:45 pm. In spite of hot weather in certain parts of the country, voters were undeterred in their enthusiasm as they were seen queuing up patiently to cast their votes across the country. A large number of voters were still in the queue at some polling stations at the prescribed time of closing of poll.
The approximate voter turnout figures of 59.06 per cent as of 7:45 PM will continue to be updated State/PC/AC wise on the Voter Turnout App of ECI. This will also give aggregate phase wise figures in addition to the State/PC/AC wise figures. Commission shall additionally for the convenience of stakeholders, issue another press note with voter turnout figures at ~ 2345 hours though live updates are available for stakeholders to directly check on the voter turnout App.
With the conclusion of phase 6, polling for General Elections 2024 is now completed in 28 States/UTs and 486 PCs. Polling is also complete in General Elections for State Legislative Assemblies of Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Andhra Pradesh and 105 Assembly seats of Odisha State Assembly.
Polling in Anantnag-Rajouri PC in Jammu and Kashmir was completely peaceful with a turnout of 52.28 per cent as at 7.45 pm, which is highest in many decades. With this, the polling to the Parliamentary seats in the UT of Jammu and Kashmir has concluded.
In the ongoing General Elections 2024, the three PCs in the valley namely Srinagar (38.49 per cent), Baramulla (59.1 per cent) and Anantnag-Rajouri (52.28 per cent as of 7:45 PM) have recorded voter turnouts which are highest in many decades.
Polling across all constituencies was held smoothly and peacefully. CEC Rajiv Kumar and ECs Gyanesh Kumar and Sukhbir Singh Sandhu also voted, along with their families in their respective polling stations. They kept a close watch on every aspect of the poll process and issued necessary directions, through the day. Stringent security measures were in place creating a conducive environment for voters to cast their vote without fear or intimidation.
More than 51% of the 18.36-lakh electorate in Jammu and Kashmir's Anantnag-Rajouri Lok Sabha constituency exercised their franchise till 5 pm on Saturday, breaking the poll percentage record of more than 28 years, officials said here.
At 5 pm, the voter turnout in the Anantnag-Rajouri Lok Sabha constituency was reported to be 51.35%, according to an official of the election department.
Officials noted that the Rajouri Assembly segment recorded the highest turnout of 67.09%, followed by Nowshera with a poll percentage of 65.47%.
However, the Anantnag, Anantnag West, and Kulgam Assembly segments were the only three areas where the voter turnout has so far been below 35%, they added.
A voter turnout of 55.93 per cent was recorded in Haryana till 5 pm in its 10 Lok Sabha seats and polling remained peaceful on Saturday, officials said. Polling ended at 6 pm but the turnout figure will increase as there were several people in queues waiting for their turn. According to EC data, Sirsa had the highest turnout till 5 pm pm at 59.57 per cent followed by Ambala at 58.44 per cent and 58.38 per cent in Kurukshetra. Gurugram registered the lowest turnout at 51.75 per cent. Bhiwani-Mahendragarh recorded a turnout of 56.11 per cent, Faridabad 53.64 per cent, Hisar 53.85 per cent, Karnal 55.71 per cent, Rohtak 58.28 per cent and Sonipat 55.49 per cent.
West Bengal witnessed a notable voter turnout of 77.99 percent by 5 pm in the eight Lok Sabha constituencies that underwent polling during the sixth phase on Saturday, as confirmed by an official.
Polling commenced at 7 am in the constituencies of Tamluk, Kanthi, Ghatal, Jhargram, Medinipur, Purulia, Bankura, and Bishnupur. The voting process was scheduled to continue until 6 pm.
Among these, Bishnupur (SC) recorded the highest voter participation at 81.47 percent, followed by Tamluk at 79.79 percent, Jhargram (ST) at 79.68 percent, Ghatal at 78.92 percent, Medinipur at 77.57 percent, Bankura at 76.79 percent, Kanthi at 75.66 percent, and Purulia at 74.09 percent.
Up until 4 pm, the election office in West Bengal had received a total of 1,985 complaints, the official further added.
By 5 pm on Saturday, 52.24 percent of the 1.49 crore eligible voters had cast their ballots in eight Lok Sabha constituencies, according to officials. The constituencies where elections are being held are predominantly rural, with only 1,281 out of 14,872 polling stations situated in urban areas.
Voter Turnout by Constituency:
Vaishali: 56.11%
Purvi Champaran: 55.78%
Paschim Champaran: 55.22%
Sheohar: 54.37%
Valmiki Nagar: 54.09%
Maharajganj: 49.15%
Siwan: 47.49%
Gopalganj: 46.77%
The overall voter turnout highlights active participation from rural constituencies, contributing to a significant turnout in the state.
The state recorded a 59.60 percent voter turnout by 5 pm on Saturday in the six Lok Sabha constituencies and 42 assembly segments, according to officials. Voting took place in Sambalpur, Keonjhar, Dhenkanal, Cuttack, Bhubaneswar, and Puri parliamentary constituencies.
Chief Electoral Officer N B Dhal reported that voting was largely peaceful across the 10,581 polling stations, with only a few reports of EVM glitches. Out of the over 94.48 lakh electorate, a significant portion had exercised their franchise by the close of polling.
Voter Turnout by Constituency:
Sambalpur: 65.91%
Keonjhar: 62.43%
Puri: 61.17%
Dhenkanal: 60.88%
Cuttack: 54.36%
Bhubaneswar: 53.54%
Among the 42 assembly segments, Pallahara Vidhan Sabha recorded the highest voter turnout at 73.86 percent, while Barabati Cuttack segment saw the lowest at 42.10 percent by 5 pm.
On Saturday, six individuals, including four women, sustained minor injuries in a clash between supporters of two candidates outside a polling station in the Mendhar sub-division of Poonch district. Officials reported that the incident occurred during the sixth phase of polling for the Anantnag-Rajouri parliamentary constituency.
Despite the altercation, voting at the polling station in the Shahpur sector continued without disruption. Police promptly intervened to separate the clashing groups, ensuring the polling process remained unaffected.
An FIR has been registered, and further investigation into the incident is ongoing, according to officials.
The office of the deputy commissioner, Poonch, issued a statement on X, clarifying the situation: "A minor scuffle took place outside the polling station causing very minor injuries to a few persons. The altercation was stopped in time and an FIR has been lodged in the matter. Polling did not get interrupted at any time and went on smoothly.”
Union Home Minister Amit Shah, addressing a rally in support of BJP candidate Anurag Thakur, criticized Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi for their absence at the Pran Pratishtha ceremony of Ram Lalla in Ayodhya. Shah claimed the Gandhis chose to vacation in Shimla instead, suggesting they avoided the ceremony due to concerns about their vote bank.
"Rahul Baba and his sister came to Shimla for holidays, but they did not go to the Pran Pratishtha of Ram Lalla. They did not go because they were afraid of their vote bank," Shah remarked during his speech. He contrasted this with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s dedication, noting, "In this election, on one side there is Rahul Baba who celebrates holidays every six months and on the other side there is Narendra Modi ji who eats sweets with army soldiers on the border without taking any leave even for Diwali for 23 years."
Shah expressed confidence in the BJP's performance, stating, "We are crossing 400 but Rahul Baba is once again falling below 40."
A voter turnout of 57.70 per cent was recorded till 5 pm, as per the Elections Commission. The polling across 58 constituencies had started at 7 am today. West Bengal leads with 77.99 per cent, followed by Jharkhand with 61.41 per cent and Odisha with 59.60 per cent. Uttar Pradesh recorded low voter turnout with 52.02 per cent.
Here's state-wise voter turnout:
Bihar: 52.24%
Jammu And Kashmir: 51.35%
Jharkhand: 61.41%
Haryana: 55.93%
NCT Of Delhi: 53.73%
Odisha: 59.60%
Uttar Pradesh: 52.02%
West Bengal: 77.99%
Union Minister and BJP candidate from Sambalpur Lok Sabha seat, Dharmendra Pradhan, exercised his franchise by casting his vote in Bhubaneswar, Odisha. Pradhan's participation in the electoral process underscores the significance of civic duty and active engagement in democracy.
Chief Justice of India, DY Chandrachud, exercised his voting rights in New Delhi during the ongoing elections. Following his vote, he remarked, "Today I fulfilled my duty as a citizen by casting my vote. I had earlier also said that this is a major responsibility of every citizen."
Chandrachud's participation underscores the importance of civic engagement and the responsibility of every citizen to exercise their right to vote.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, while in Bihar, stated, "The government has already been formed in the first five phases of elections… The sixth and seventh phases are just for seat margins… We (BJP) are quickly going towards the 400 mark."
Sarma's comments highlight his confidence in the BJP's performance in the ongoing elections and suggest that the outcome of the remaining phases may only impact seat margins rather than the formation of the government.
Voter Turnout:
By 3 pm, the voter turnout in eight Lok Sabha constituencies of West Bengal reached 70.19 percent.
The constituencies that went to polls include Tamluk, Kanthi, Ghatal, Jhargram, Medinipur, Purulia, Bankura, and Bishnupur.
Voting commenced at 7 am and is scheduled to continue until 6 pm.
Turnout by Constituency:
Bishnupur (SC) witnessed the highest voter turnout at 73.55 percent.
Jhargram (ST) followed closely with a turnout of 72.26 percent.
Tamluk, Kanthi, and Ghatal also saw impressive turnouts of 71.63 percent, 71.36 percent, and 71.34 percent, respectively.
Medinipur, Bankura, and Purulia recorded relatively lower turnouts of 67.91 percent, 67.41 percent, and 66.06 percent, respectively.
Complaints Received:
The election office in West Bengal received a total of 1,646 complaints by 1 pm, according to an official.
A voter turnout of 49.20 per cent was recorded till 3 pm, as per the Elections Commission. The polling across 58 constituencies had started at 7 am today. West Bengal leads with 70.19 per cent, followed by Jharkhand with 54.34 per cent and Odisha with 48.44 per cent. Uttar Pradesh recorded low voter turnout with 43.95 per cent.
Here's state-wise voter turnout:
Bihar: 45.21%
Jammu And Kashmir: 44.41%
Jharkhand: 54.34%
Haryana: 46.26%
NCT Of Delhi: 44.58%
Odisha: 48.44%
Uttar Pradesh: 43.95%
West Bengal: 70.19%
The Chief Electoral Officer of Maharashtra has responded to recent videos circulating that purportedly depict individuals attempting to undermine the integrity of the electoral process. Expressing concern over these incidents, the electoral officer assured the public that appropriate measures are being taken to address any attempts to disrupt or manipulate the polling process.
BJP leader Arvinder Singh Lovely has called upon the public to embrace the democratic process and participate actively in the elections. He expressed admiration for the widespread enthusiasm among voters, particularly citing their support for Prime Minister Modi. Lovely emphasized that people are casting their votes with the aim of fostering national development, confidently predicting Prime Minister Modi's reelection for a third term.
Furthermore, he highlighted the ideological disparities between the BJP and both Delhi and the Congress, asserting that each party maintains its distinct and conflicting manifesto, indicating a lack of common ground for collaboration.
AAP Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha has encouraged citizens to exercise their voting rights in the Delhi elections today. He emphasized the importance of voting for initiatives like improved education, healthcare facilities, and overall development to strengthen democracy. Chadha urged voters to turn out in large numbers, alongside their family and friends, to make their voices heard at the polling booths.
A voter turnout of 39.13 per cent was recorded till 1 pm, as per the Elections Commission. The polling across 58 constituencies had started at 7 am today. West Bengal leads with 54.80 per cent, followed by Jharkhand with 42.54 per cent and Uttar Pradesh with 37.23 per cent. NCT Of Delhi recorded low voter turnout with 34.37 per cent.
Here's state-wise voter turnout:
Bihar: 36.48%
Jammu And Kashmir: 35.22%
Jharkhand: 42.54%
Haryana: 36.48%
NCT Of Delhi: 34.37%
Odisha: 35.69%
Uttar Pradesh: 37.23%
West Bengal: 54.80%
Former BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma was seen leaving a polling station in Delhi after casting her vote for the Lok Sabha Elections 2024. Sharma's participation highlights the involvement of key political figures in the democratic process.
These updates reflect the ongoing electoral activities and the active engagement of political leaders and citizens in shaping the future of the nation.
Five phases of the elections have been completed, and today marks the sixth phase of voting. Prime Minister Modi has already surpassed 310 seats in the first five phases. Our goal is to ensure he crosses 400 seats in the sixth and seventh phases. Voters in the seventh phase have the crucial responsibility to help him achieve this milestone.Union Home Minister Amit Shah
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, accompanied by his wife Sunita Kejriwal and other family members, exercised his voting right at a polling station in the Civil Lines area, falling under the Chandni Chowk Lok Sabha constituency.
A voter turnout of 25.76 per cent was recorded till 11 am, as per the Elections Commission. The polling across 58 constituencies had started at 7 am today. West Bengal leads with 36.88 per cent, followed by Jharkhand with 27.80 per cent and Uttar Pradesh with 27.06 per cent. Odisha recorded low voter turnout with 21.30 per cent.
Here's state-wise voter turnout:
Bihar: 23.67%
Jammu And Kashmir: 23.11%
Jharkhand: 27.80%
Haryana: 22.09%
NCT Of Delhi: 21.69%
Odisha: 21.30%
Uttar Pradesh: 27.06%
West Bengal: 36.88%
Union ministers S Jaishankar and Hardeep Singh Puri, along with Delhi Minister Atishi, outgoing East Delhi MP Gautam Gambhir, and various party candidates, exercised their voting rights early in the morning.
However, CPI(M) leader Brinda Karat, who had gone to cast her vote at St Thomas School in New Delhi, expressed her inability to vote due to a technical glitch. "The Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) battery was drained, preventing me from casting my vote. However, I will return later to fulfill my civic duty," she remarked.
Karat also raised concerns regarding the adequacy of arrangements made by the Election Commission.
We are poised to establish a robust government to serve our people. I urge all voters, especially the younger generation, to exercise their voting rights. I anticipate a resounding victory for the Biju Janata Dal in both the Assembly and Parliamentary elections. We aim to establish a strong and stable administration in the stateOdisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik
A voter turnout of 10.82 per cent was recorded till 9 am, as per the Elections Commission. The polling across 58 constituencies had started at 7 am today. West Bengal leads with 16.54 per cent, followed by Uttar Pradesh with 12.33 per cent and Jharkhand with 11.74 per cent. Odisha recorded low voter turnout with 7.43 per cent.
Here's state-wise voter turnout:
Bihar: 9. 66%
Jammu And Kashmir: 8.89%
Jharkhand: 11.74%
Haryana: 8.31%
NCT Of Delhi: 8.94%
Odisha: 7.43%
Uttar Pradesh: 12.33%
West Bengal: 16.54%
President Droupadi Murmu casts her vote at a polling booth in Delhi.
Delhi minister & Aam Aadmi Party leader Atishi casts her vote at a polling booth in Delhi today.
BJP East Delhi MP and former India Cricketer Gautam Gambhir casts his vote at a polling station in Delhi. "All I want to say is that everyone should come out and vote in large numbers. This is our power, this is our democracy. The Govt has worked for development in the last 10 years...", news agency ANI quoted Gambhir as saying.
Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini and his wife Suman Saini casts their votes at a polling booth in his native village Mirzapur, Narayangarh. "I appeal to the people of Haryana to strengthen the democracy and they should come out and vote in large numbers...Haryana will give all 10 Lok Sabha seats one Assembly seat of Karnal to BJP and will strengthen PM Modi....", news agency ANI quoted Saini as saying.
External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar casts his vote at a polling booth in Delhi. "We have just cast our vote and I was the first male voter in this booth. We want people to come out and cast their votes as this is a decisive moment for the country...", news agency ANI quoted Jaishankar as saying.
There are a total of 5.84 crore male, 5.29 crore female and 5,120 third gender voters ready to cast their votes in the sixth phase. According to the Election Commission of India (ECI), around 11.4 lakh polling officials have been deployed at 1.14 lakh polling stations.
Of the total number of candidates contesting in the sixth phase, around 39 per cent are crorepatis with average assets of Rs 6.21 crore, poll rights body ADR highlighted.
Voting began for the sixth phase of polling in the ongoing Lok Sabha general elections in 58 constituencies across eight states on union territories at 7 am on Saturday.
Campaigning concluded on Thursday, May 23 for the penultimate phase of the general elections scheduled for May 25, with both the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the opposition INDIA bloc focusing on post-poll strategies.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, at a rally in Mahendragarh, Haryana, where all 10 seats will vote on May 25, criticized the INDIA bloc, claiming they were already arguing over potential prime ministerial candidates even before securing a victory. Modi used the metaphor of a fight over "ghee" before the cow had given milk to illustrate his point.
Conversely, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge assured that the INDIA bloc would prevent the BJP from retaining power and secure enough seats to form the next government.
Here's a look at the key battles taking shape in the sixth phase of Lok Sabha polls along with the prominent candidates contesting.
The sixth phase of the ongoing Lok Sabha elections is set to take place on Saturday, May 25 with over 11.13 crore eligible voters deciding the fate of 889 candidates from 58 constituencies across eight states and union territories.
Polling will be held in 14 seats of Uttar Pradesh, all 10 seats of Haryana, eight seats of Bihar and West Bengal, six seats in Odisha, four seats in Jharkhand and one seat in Jammu and Kashmir apart from the national capital.
Of the total number of candidates contesting in the sixth phase, around 39 per cent are crorepatis with average assets of Rs 6.21 crore, poll rights body ADR highlighted.
A voter turnout of 56.68 per cent was recorded till 5 pm, as per the Election Commission. West Bengal leads with 73 per cent voter turnout followed by Ladakh with 67.15 per cent and Jharkhand with 61.90 per cent.
Here's state-wise voter turnout:
Bihar: 52.35%
Jammu And Kashmir: 54.21%
Jharkhand: 61.90%
Ladakh: 67.15%
Maharashtra: 48.66%
Odisha: 60.55%
Uttar Pradesh: 55.80%
West Bengal: 73.00%
Actor Tiger Shroff cast his vote for the 5th phase of Lok Sabha Elections 2024. He said, "Voting is very important, so everyone is requested to go and vote.
Actor Aamir Khan, along with his ex-wife director Kiran Rao, stepped out to cast his vote in Mumbai. ""I want to appeal to all the Indians to come out and cast vote and be part of the big democracy. Everyone should vote," news agency PTI quoted Khan as saying.
Actor Ranbir Kapoor turned up at one of the polling booths to cast his vote in Mumbai, news agency PTI reported. In the second and final phase of polls in Maharashtra, the state is voting for 13 constituencies, including six in Mumbai.
Maharashtra's Deputy Chief Minister, Devendra Fadnavis, has expressed concerns about the sluggish pace of voting in Mumbai. Fadnavis, on Monday, appealed to the Election Commission to address complaints regarding the slow progress of voting, particularly in the context of the ongoing Lok Sabha elections. With 13 constituencies in Maharashtra casting their votes today since 7 am, Fadnavis urged EC officials to intervene and coordinate with the collectors of Mumbai City and Mumbai Suburban District to resolve the issue promptly.
A voter turnout of 47.53 per cent was recorded till 3 pm, as per the Elections Commission. The polling across 49 constituencies had started at 7 am today. West Bengal now leads with 62.72 per cent, followed by Ladakh with 61.26 per cent and Jharkhand with 53.90 per cent. Maharashtra continues to record low voter turnout with 38.77 per cent.
Here's state-wise voter turnout:
Bihar: 45.33%
Jammu And Kashmir: 44.90%
Jharkhand: 53.90%
Ladakh: 61.26%
Maharashtra: 38.77%
Odisha: 48.95%
Uttar Pradesh: 47.55%
West Bengal: 62.72%
As the polling progressed in West Bengal, the Election Commission received a staggering number of complaints exceeding 1000 by 1 pm. Political parties raised concerns ranging from malfunctioning Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) to reports of agents being obstructed from accessing polling booths and even instances of voter intimidation or prevention across various constituencies.
Notably, several complaints highlighted minor political clashes occurring in areas such as Bangaon, Hooghly, and Arambagh. The Election Commission continues to monitor the situation closely amidst heightened tensions during the polling process.
Tensions escalated in West Bengal's Barrackpore constituency as Trinamool Congress (TMC) workers displayed black flags to BJP candidate Arjun Singh. Singh, already embroiled in controversy, accused TMC candidate Partha Bhowmick of distributing money ahead of polling, prompting a complaint to the Election Commission. Singh warned of consequences if such incidents persisted, placing responsibility on the government for ensuring peaceful elections.
Actors Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone cast their votes at a polling booth in Bandra West, Mumbai.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi made a significant visit to a Hanuman temple in Rae Bareli on Monday, coinciding with the fifth phase of the Lok Sabha elections. Amidst his tour, he also took the opportunity to inspect various polling booths within the constituency, a region formerly represented by his mother and former Congress president, Sonia Gandhi.
Dr. G G Parikh, a 100-year-old freedom fighter, cast his vote in Mumbai today. Dr. Parikh, who participated in India's first general election in 1951-52, exercised his franchise for the 18th Lok Sabha. Election Commission officials provided the necessary assistance to ensure he could vote at the polling booth.
A voter turnout of 36.73 per cent was recorded till 1 pm, as per the Elections Commission. The polling across 49 constituencies had started at 7 am today. Ladakh UT leads with 52.02 per cent, followed by West Bengal with 48.41 and Jharkhand with 41.89 per cent. Maharashtra continues to record low voter turnout with 27.78 per cent.
Here's state-wise voter turnout:
Bihar: 34.62%
Jammu And Kashmir: 34.79%
Jharkhand: 41.89%
Ladakh: 52.02%
Maharashtra: 27.78%
Odisha: 35.31%
Uttar Pradesh: 39.55%
West Bengal: 48.41%
BJP Maharashtra leader Kirit Somaiya has accused Sanjay and Sunil Raut of engaging in corrupt practices. Meanwhile, Shiv Sena UBT leader Aadesh Bandekar reported that EVM machines in booth numbers 57 and 58 in Powai had stalled, preventing people from casting their votes. The Election Commission has since issued a statement confirming that the EVM machines have been replaced and voting has resumed smoothly.
Jammu and Kashmir People's Conference (JKPC) candidate Sajad Lone cast his vote in the Baramulla Lok Sabha constituency. The constituency is witnessing a contest among National Conference's Omar Abdullah, PDP's Mir Mohammad Fayaz, and JKPC's Sajad Lone.
Bollywood star Hrithik Roshan, along with his family, exercised their right to vote at a polling booth in Mumbai today.
Nearly 26.18 per cent voter turnout was recorded till 11 am in three Lok Sabha constituencies in Jharkhand, as per the Election Commission. Voting started at 7 am in Chatra, Hazaribag and Koderma Lok Sabha seats, marking the second phase of elections in the eastern state, and will continue till 5 pm.
Koderma: 26.95 per cent
Chatra: 26.01 per cent
Hazaribagh: 25.45 per cent
"I have cast my vote. All citizens of India should vote," says Actor Anil Kapoor after casting his vote.
A voter turnout of 23.66 per cent was recorded till 11 am, as per the Elections Commission. The polling across 49 constituencies had started at 7 am today.
Here's state-wise voter turnout:
Bihar: 21.11%
Jammu And Kashmir: 21.37%
Jharkhand: 26.18%
Ladakh: 27.87%
Maharashtra: 15.93%
Odisha: 21.07%
Uttar Pradesh: 27.76%
West Bengal: 32.70%
Actor Randeep Hooda cast his vote at a polling booth in Mumbai.
Raj Thackeray, his family members cast their votes.
Veteran actor Dharmendra cast his vote at a polling booth in Mumbai.
Actress and Member of Parliament Hema Malini, accompanied by her daughter and fellow actress Esha Deol, exercised their voting rights at a polling booth in Mumbai, Maharashtra.
The work that Shrikant Shinde has done is in front of the people and I think they are going to vote for him to bring him back to power for the third time.Eknath Shinde
Rajnath Singh is a BJP candidate from the Lucknow Lok Sabha seat.
In the ongoing polling in Jammu and Kashmir's Baramulla constituency, a voter turnout of 7.63% has been reported as of 9 AM. Citizens were observed queuing outside polling stations to cast their votes in various areas of the constituency, according to officials.
The Baramulla constituency spans across 18 assembly segments across three districts: Kupwara, Baramulla, and Bandipora. Additionally, it encompasses two segments of Budgam, which were incorporated based on recommendations from the delimitation commission two years ago, officials confirmed.
Odisha recorded a voter turnout of approximately 6.87% in the initial two hours of polling across five Lok Sabha constituencies and 35 Assembly segments. Officials confirmed that the voting process commenced smoothly without any significant disruptions.
Police authorities reported no untoward incidents at any polling booths. Chief Electoral Officer N B Dhal assured that voting was progressing peacefully across all 9,162 polling stations in the five Parliamentary Constituencies and 35 assembly segments under their jurisdiction. However, some isolated incidents of EVM glitches were reported.
The steady voter turnout indicates citizens' active participation in the democratic process, reflecting their commitment to exercising their franchise and shaping the future governance of Odisha.
Rahul Gandhi, in a Hindi post on X, emphasized the significance of voting for the prosperity and progress of India, stating, "Today marks the fifth phase of voting! The first four phases have demonstrated the public's determination to safeguard the Constitution and democracy, leading to the BJP's defeat."
Gandhi highlighted that the nation is weary of divisive politics and is now prioritizing its own issues. He outlined the diverse concerns driving voters, including job opportunities for youth, fair prices for farmers, economic empowerment and security for women, and equitable wages for laborers.
Asserting that the people are united in their quest for change, Gandhi urged citizens across the country, including Amethi and Rae Bareli, to participate in large numbers to secure their families' well-being, uphold their rights, and contribute to India's advancement.
As the fifth phase of polling commences, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is currently in Odisha, conducted a roadshow in Puri. The roadshow, held in collaboration with BJP's candidate from the Puri Lok Sabha seat, Sambit Patra, underscores the party's focus on the upcoming sixth phase of polling scheduled for May 25.
PM Modi's presence in Odisha signals the BJP's commitment to garnering support for its candidates in the region. The roadshow serves as a platform for engaging with voters and bolstering the party's electoral prospects in the forthcoming phases of the Lok Sabha elections.
BJP Member of Parliament and candidate from Hooghly, Locket Chatterjee, assured that despite isolated incidents of threats at a few places in her constituency, the overall situation remains peaceful. She affirmed that every eligible voter will have the opportunity to exercise their franchise.
"Everything is going on fine...There were instances of threatening at 2-3 places at a booth in Balagarh, Dhaniakhali. EVM machines are not working at a few locations but work is going on those," Ms. Chatterjee stated.
Chatterjee's remarks highlight the party's commitment to ensuring a smooth electoral process in Hooghly despite minor challenges encountered at select polling stations.
Polling booths across various parts of Mumbai experienced a robust turnout as citizens enthusiastically exercised their franchise in the early hours of voting. Notable personalities, including industrialist Anil Ambani and actor Akshay Kumar, were among the early voters who cast their ballots.
Joining them were Tata Sons Chairman N. Chandrasekaran, Reserve Bank of India Governor Shaktikanta Das, former Uttar Pradesh Governor Ram Naik, actor Janhvi Kapoor, actor-filmmaker Farhan Akhtar, actor Rajkummar Rao, filmmaker Zoya Akhtar and Marathi theatre actor Prashant Damle.
Voters queued up in large numbers at the polling booths well before 7 a.m., demonstrating their commitment to participate in the democratic process and elect representatives for the Lok Sabha constituencies in Mumbai.
The Election Commission has taken action following a complaint of molestation against a BSF personnel deployed for poll duty in the Uluberia Lok Sabha constituency of Howrah district. An official confirmed that the personnel has been removed from duty pending investigation.
The complaint was lodged by a woman at the Uluberia Police Station on Sunday evening. The Election Commission swiftly responded by removing the personnel from election duty.
"We have removed him from election duty. We are waiting for the police report. If found guilty, necessary action will be taken as per law," the poll panel official informed PTI.
The incident underscores the Election Commission's commitment to addressing complaints of misconduct and ensuring the integrity of the electoral process.
BJP Member of Parliament and candidate from the Amethi Lok Sabha seat, Smriti Irani, exercised her franchise by casting her vote. Speaking to the media after voting, Irani expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to vote in her village, Gauriganj, with the determination to contribute to the development of a prosperous India.
"Today it is my good fortune that I have cast my vote in my village Gauriganj with the resolve of a Viksit Bharat. I appeal to the people to cast their vote. It is our responsibility towards the future of our country," she stated.
Irani's call for voter participation highlights the significance of citizen engagement in shaping the democratic process and underscores the importance of each vote in determining the future course of the nation.
Bihar- 8.86%
Jammu and Kashmir- 7.63%
Jharkhand- 11.68%
Ladakh - 10.51%
Maharashtra- 6.33%
Odisha- 6.87%
Uttar Pradesh- 12.89%
West Bengal- 15.35%
Independent candidate Shantigiri Maharaj was observed putting a garland over the voting machine after casting his vote at a polling booth in the constituency. The act drew attention and symbolized Maharaj's reverence for the democratic process.
Maharaj's gesture underscores the significance of citizen participation in the electoral process, regardless of political affiliation. His action serves as a reminder of the democratic values upheld during the ongoing Lok Sabha elections.
Long queues of voters were observed at a polling booth in Ichgam, Budgam, as citizens patiently awaited their turn to cast their votes. The voting process is underway for the Baramulla Parliamentary constituency today, drawing significant participation from the electorate.
The constituency witnesses a competitive race among prominent candidates, including Omar Abdullah from the National Conference (NC), Mir Mohammad Fayaz from the People's Democratic Party (PDP), and Sajad Lone from the Jammu and Kashmir People's Conference (JKPC).
The enthusiastic turnout reflects the electorate's engagement in the democratic process and underscores the importance of their voices in shaping the future representation of the region in the Lok Sabha.
BJP Member of Parliament Brij Bhushan Singh expressed confidence in his son, Karan Bhushan Sharan Singh's candidacy for the Kaiserganj parliamentary seat. Singh conveyed that the local populace is content with Karan's nomination, citing his strong rapport with the youth of Gonda.
"Everyone is happy with his candidature. Karan Bhushan Singh is attached to the youth of Gonda. He is a National player so he is interested in sports as he is in other things," Brij Bhushan told the media.
Singh's remarks underline the support garnered by Karan Bhushan Sharan Singh and his potential to represent the constituency effectively.
Reserve Bank of India Governor Shaktikanta Das exercised his voting rights in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections. Speaking to the media after casting his vote, Das expressed pride in participating in the electoral process of a nation with a population of 1.4 billion.
"It's a very proud moment for every Indian. It's a moment of pride to participate in an election of 1.4 billion people. The process of voting today was very smooth, and I would like to congratulate the Election Commission of India and all the officials who have been working throughout the country. It's really a moment of pride for every Indian to vote in these elections. I appeal to every voter to come out and vote," Das stated.
Das's call for voter participation underscores the significance of citizen engagement in shaping the democratic future of the nation. His remarks highlight the smooth conduct of the electoral process and commend the efforts of election officials across the country.
Chirag Paswan, the chief of LJP (Ram Vilas) and candidate from the Hajipur Lok Sabha seat, shared his optimistic outlook on the day of voting, predicting a landslide victory for the NDA with over 400 seats. In contrast, he suggested that the INDI alliance, particularly the Congress, would face a significant setback.
Speaking to the media, Paswan reflected on his family's longstanding connection with the Hajipur constituency, noting his father's representation since 1977. He expressed hope for receiving the same level of support and affection from the people of Hajipur.
"Development and my father's name have been synonyms in Hajipur. I will make sure to work for the development of Hajipur," Paswan affirmed, underlining his commitment to advancing the region's prosperity and progress.
Paswan's assertions underscore the stakes involved in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections, with political leaders vying for electoral success while pledging to address the needs and aspirations of their constituents.
Union Minister and BJP candidate from the Mumbai North Lok Sabha seat, Piyush Goyal, exercised his franchise at a polling station in Mumbai. Speaking to the media, he emphasized the significance of the ongoing fifth phase of polling across Mumbai and the rest of the country.
"The fifth phase of polling is underway in Mumbai and the rest of the country. Just like PM Modi said everyone should take part in the festival of democracy...I believe that the people of Mumbai will come out in large numbers and exercise their right to vote," Goyal stated.
Goyal's call for active participation echoes the broader sentiment of promoting democratic engagement and voter turnout in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections.
Polling is currently underway in the Baramulla Lok Sabha constituency of Jammu and Kashmir, where 22 candidates, including former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, are vying for victory. Voters were observed lining up outside polling stations in various areas of the constituency to exercise their franchise.
The Baramulla Lok Sabha constituency encompasses 18 assembly segments across the districts of Kupwara, Baramulla, and Bandipora. Additionally, it includes two segments of Budgam, which were incorporated into the constituency following recommendations from the delimitation commission two years ago.
The election in Baramulla holds significant importance for the region, with voters determining the representative who will voice their concerns and aspirations on the national stage.
Renowned actor Farhan Akhtar and acclaimed director Zoya Akhtar exercised their democratic right by casting their votes at a polling station in Mumbai. Their participation in the electoral process coincides with the fifth phase of the ongoing Lok Sabha elections 2024, which commenced today across 49 parliamentary constituencies spread over six states and two Union Territories amid tight security and arrangements.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has made a fervent appeal to voters to participate in the fifth phase of the Lok Sabha elections, urging them to cast their ballots in record numbers. In a message posted on X, PM Modi specifically called upon women and young voters to actively engage in the democratic process.
"As 49 seats across 8 states and UTs go to the polls today in the 5th phase of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, I urge all those whose constituencies are polling today to vote in record numbers. I especially appeal to women and young voters to participate enthusiastically in this festival of democracy," the Prime Minister's post read.
PM Modi's call for a high voter turnout underscores the significance of citizen participation in shaping the democratic landscape of the nation, emphasizing the inclusive nature of the electoral process.
Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar exercised his right to vote at a polling booth in Mumbai during the ongoing Lok Sabha elections. Following his vote, Kumar expressed his desire for a developed and strong India, stating, "I want my India to be developed and strong. I voted keeping that in mind. India should vote for what they deem is right... I think voter turnout will be good."
Kumar's participation in the electoral process underscores the importance of citizen engagement in shaping the future of the nation. His message resonates with the broader theme of prioritizing development and national progress in the democratic discourse.
Former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister and BSP chief Mayawati exercised her democratic right by casting her vote at a polling station in Lucknow. After voting, she appealed to voters to come out in large numbers and participate in the electoral process.
Mayawati emphasized the importance of prioritizing development and the welfare of the people in political discourse. "I request all political parties to prioritize the issues of development and the welfare of the people. Whether it is the BJP or Congress, all the parties say that they are forming the government but everything will be clear when the results are announced," she stated.
Mayawati's participation in the voting process highlights the significance of Lucknow as a key constituency in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections and underscores the importance of citizen participation in shaping the democratic future of the nation.
Festival of democracy, pride of the nation…Today is the day of the fifth phase of voting for the Lok Sabha elections. All respected voters are requested to definitely vote. Your every vote will form the basis of a 'developed India' and will prove invaluable in making India a leader and self-reliant on the global stageUnion minister Smriti Irani
Rae Bareli: Rahul Gandhi of the Congress is contesting from the Rae Bareli seat, a significant stronghold for the party.
Amethi: The battle in Amethi is intense as the Congress aims to reclaim the seat from Union Minister for Women and Child Development Smriti Irani. Congress loyalist KL Sharma is challenging Irani this time.
Lucknow: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is eyeing a fourth term from the Lucknow Lok Sabha seat. He is pitted against Ravidas Mehrotra, a sitting MLA from the Samajwadi Party representing Lucknow Central.
Kaiserganj: In Kaiserganj, BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh was denied a ticket due to sexual harassment charges, which he has denied. The BJP has fielded his son, Karan Bhushan, from the constituency instead.
Faizabad: Known for being home to the Ayodhya Ram Temple, Faizabad sees Lallu Singh seeking re-election on a BJP ticket. His main rival is Awadhesh Prasad of the Samajwadi Party.
These key constituencies are set to play a crucial role in the fifth phase of the seven-phase Lok Sabha elections, reflecting both intense political battles and significant electoral shifts.
Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is seeking a third consecutive term as the BJP candidate for the Lucknow Lok Sabha seat in the ongoing elections. His main opponent is Ravidas Mehrotra, a sitting MLA from the Samajwadi Party.
The contest in Lucknow is a significant one, with Rajnath Singh's bid for re-election highlighting the BJP's efforts to maintain its stronghold in the region. Meanwhile, Mehrotra's candidacy represents the Samajwadi Party's challenge to the incumbent's dominance.
Voters in Lucknow will cast their ballots today as part of the fifth phase of the seven-phase Lok Sabha elections.
On the eve of the fifth phase of the Lok Sabha elections, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath made a heartfelt appeal to citizens to participate in the voting process.
In a message posted on X (formerly known as Twitter), CM Adityanath urged voters to exercise their franchise, emphasizing the importance of their vote in building a strong and safe nation. "Respected fellow voters, tomorrow is the fifth phase of the Lok Sabha elections. I appeal to all of you to please vote. Your invaluable vote will become the foundation of a 'Strong-Safe India' and will realize the resolve of a 'Developed India'. Remember—first vote, then have refreshment!" he wrote.
Voting for 14 Lok Sabha seats in Uttar Pradesh is scheduled for today, with polls open from 7 am to 6 pm. This phase is a crucial part of the seven-phase Lok Sabha elections, with significant implications for the state's representation in the national parliament.
Voting for 14 Lok Sabha seats in Uttar Pradesh will take place today as part of the fifth round of the seven-phase Lok Sabha elections. The constituencies going to the polls include Mohanlalganj, Lucknow, Rae Bareli, Amethi, Jalaun, Jhansi, Hamirpur, Banda, Fatehpur, Barabanki, Kaushambi, Faizabad, Kaiserganj, and Gonda.
Uttar Pradesh, the state with the highest representation in the 543-member Lok Sabha, is unique alongside West Bengal and Bihar in holding polling across all phases of the election.
The polling started at 7 am and will continue until 6 pm, with those in line by the closing time still allowed to vote. According to the Election Commission of India (ECI), polling for 35 assembly constituencies of the Odisha legislative assembly is also taking place simultaneously today.
Over 8.95 crore voters, including 4.69 crore males, 4.26 crore females, and 5409 third-gender electors, will decide the fate of 695 candidates in this phase of voting.
The voting started at 7 am and will continue until 6 pm, with those in line by the closing time still allowed to vote.
According to the Election Commission of India (ECI), polling for 35 assembly constituencies of the Odisha legislative assembly will also take place simultaneously on Monday.
As per the ECI, over 8.95 crore voters, including 4.69 crore males, 4.26 crore females, and 5409 third-gender electors, will decide the fate of 695 candidates in the fifth phase of voting.
Voting for the fifth phase of the ongoing Lok Sabha elections 2024 began on Monday morning across 49 parliamentary constituencies spread over six states and two Union Territories (UTs) amid tight security and arrangements.
The candidate list includes high-profile names like Union Ministers Rajnath Singh, Smriti Irani, and Piyush Goyal. Former Congress President Rahul Gandhi is also among the candidates in the fifth phase.
Meanwhile, some of the key constituencies in the fifth phase of elections are Lucknow, Rae Bareli, Amethi, Fatehpur, Faizabad and Kaiserganj in Uttar Pradesh, Nashik, Palghar, Kalyan, Thane, Mumbai North and Mumbai South in Maharashtra, Bangaon, Barrackpore, Howrah and Hooghly in West Bengal, Muzaffarpur, Saran and Hajipur in Bihar, Sundargarh, Bolangir and Kandhamal in Odisha, Kodarma and Hazaribagh in Jharkhand and Baramulla in Jammu and Kashmir.
A total of 695 candidates will contest elections in the fifth phase of the Lok Sabha polls in 49 constituencies across eight states on May 20 (Friday). The fifth phase brings forth a roster of significant candidates vying for electoral victory. The eight States/UTs which go to polls tomorrow are Bihar, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal.
Andhra Pradesh 69.44%
Bihar 57.06%
Jammu And Kashmir 38.00%
Jharkhand 64.59%
Madhya Pradesh 70.98%
Maharashtra 59.40%
Odisha 66.14%
Telangana 62.73%
Uttar Pradesh 58.05%
West Bengal 77.01%
Madhavi Latha, the BJP Lok Sabha candidate from Hyderabad, staged a protest in front of a polling booth, demanding the opening of the gate. She alleged that there were individuals inside the polling booth at Jamal Colony, Riyasat Nagar, within the Santosh Nagar Police station limits, who were attempting to rig the election.
Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva expressed his lack of surprise at the inclusion of Rajya Sabha MPs ND Gupta and Sanjay Singh in AAP's list of star campaigners in Punjab. However, he raised concerns over the absence of Swati Maliwal's name from the list and suggested a possible link to the assault on her. Sachdeva criticized AAP, labeling their decision as insensitive.
Andhra Pradesh 68.04%
Bihar 54.14%
Jammu And Kashmir 35.75%
Jharkhand 63.14%
Madhya Pradesh 68.01%
Maharashtra 52.49%
Odisha 62.96%
Telangana 61.16%
Uttar Pradesh 56.35%
West Bengal 75.66%
Andhra Pradesh 55.49%
Bihar 45.23%
Jammu And Kashmir 29.93%
Jharkhand 56.42%
Madhya Pradesh 59.63%
Maharashtra 42.35%
Odisha 52.91%
Telangana 52.34%
Uttar Pradesh 48.41%
West Bengal 66.05%
"Voted against Hindu drohi party," said ex-IPS officer and the former director of CBI M Nageswara Rao after casting his vote. Earlier, he had stirred controversy after stating that BJP will not even secure a simple majority.
BJP's candidate from Hyderabad, Madhavi Latha was seen checking burqa-clad women and matching their voter IDs during a visit to a polling booth. In the video, Latha is observed asking Muslim women inside the booth to remove their Burkhas for identification purposes, as well as verifying their voter identity cards.
Andhra Pradesh 40.26%
Bihar 34.44%
Jammu And Kashmir 23.57%
Jharkhand 43.80%
Madhya Pradesh 48.50%
Maharashtra 30.85%
Odisha 39.30%
Telangana 40.38%
Uttar Pradesh 39.68%
West Bengal 51.87%
“These (Congress and INDIA alliance) people are so afraid that they see Pakistan’s atom bombs even in their dreams. Can such a government and leader run the country? They say ‘Pakistan ne chhudiyaan nahi pehni hai’. We say ‘pehna denge’,” sayid PM Modi while addressing a rally in Bihar's Muzaffarpur.
Andhra Pradesh 23.10%
Bihar 22.54%
Jammu And Kashmir 14.94%
Jharkhand 27.40%
Madhya Pradesh 32.38%
Maharashtra 17.51%
Odisha 23.28%
Telangana 24.31%
Uttar Pradesh 27.12%
West Bengal 32.78%
Andhra Pradesh 9.05%
Bihar 10.18%
Jammu And Kashmir 5.07%
Jharkhand 11.78%
Madhya Pradesh 14.97%
Maharashtra 6.45%
Odisha 9.23%
Telangana 9.51%
Uttar Pradesh 11.67%
West Bengal 15.24%
Voting in four Lok Sabha seats in Jharkhand began on Monday morning amid tight security measures, marking the first phase of elections in the eastern state, poll officials said.
Voting started at 7 am in Singhbhum, Lohardaga, Khunti and Palamu seats, and will continue till 5 pm.
Of these, Singhbum, Lohardaga and Khunti are ST-reserved and Palamu is reserved for Scheduled Castes.
In Maoist-affected Singhbhum, polling parties and material were air-dropped in 126 polling stations, they said.
Over 64.37 lakh electors, including 32.07 lakh women and 42 persons belonging to the third gender, are eligible to exercise their franchise.
In all, 45 candidates, including Union Minister Arjun Munda, are in the fray, with the highest number of 15 contestants in Lohardaga, followed by Singhbhum (14), Palamu (9), and Khunti (7).
To ensure transparency and security, 15,000 4D cameras have been installed across all constituencies for webcasting, Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) K Ravi Kumar said.
A total of 30,380 polling officials have been deployed across 7,595 booths, he added.
"Polling parties and materials were air dropped in remote areas of Maoist-hit Singhbhum,” West Singhbhum Deputy Commissioner-cum-District Election Officer Kuldeep Chaudhary said.
Singhbhum, which includes Saranda, Asia's densest Sal forest, is among the worst Maoist-affected areas in the country. BJP's Geeta Kora, who won the seat on a Congress ticket in 2019, faces competition from INDIA bloc's Joba Manjhi.
In Khunti, Union minister and BJP nominee Arjun Munda competes directly against INDIA bloc's Kalicharan Munda. The saffron party leader had secured a narrow victory in the seat in 2019.
Lohardaga might witness a triangular contest, with JMM's Bishunpur MLA Chamra Linda entering the fray as an Independent candidate, challenging BJP's Samir Oraon and INDIA bloc's Sukhdeo Bhagat. The Congress was allocated this seat under the JMM-led ruling alliance's seat-sharing agreement.
Palamu presents a direct contest between BJP's sitting MP Vishnu Dayal Ram and RJD's Mamta Bhuiyan as an INDIA bloc candidate.
In the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, BJP had secured 11 seats and its ally AJSU Party one, while Congress and JMM won one seat each.
The intense campaigning leading up to the first phase of polls witnessed heated exchanges between main rivals on issues such as corruption, reservation, Constitution, and electoral promises.
Voting commenced at 7 a.m. on Monday in 96 Lok Sabha constituencies across 10 states and one Union Territory, marking the fourth phase of the elections. The electoral landscape stretches from Jammu and Kashmir to Andhra Pradesh, and Maharashtra to West Bengal.
Simultaneously, elections are being held for the Assemblies of Andhra Pradesh (all 175 seats) and Odisha (28 seats out of 147). The voting includes constituencies in Uttar Pradesh (13 seats), Bihar (5), West Bengal (8), Maharashtra (11), Madhya Pradesh (8), and Jammu and Kashmir (1). Additionally, it begins in Andhra Pradesh (all 25 seats), Telangana (all 17), Odisha (4), and Jharkhand (4).
A total of 17.7 crore electors, comprising 8.97 crore male and 8.73 crore female voters, will visit 1.92 lakh polling stations to determine the fate of 1,717 candidates. While voting will continue until 6 p.m., it will conclude earlier in three Left-Wing Extremism-affected Assembly constituencies of Andhra Pradesh at 4 p.m. and in three others at 5 p.m.
Key candidates in this phase include Union Ministers Arjun Munda (Khunti-ST, Jharkhand), Nityanand Rai (Ujiarpur, Bihar), and Ajay Mishra Teni (Kheri, Uttar Pradesh), as well as Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury of the Congress, who is contesting against former cricketer Yusuf Pathan (Trinamool Congress) in West Bengal's Baharampur.
Notable battles also include Hyderabad, where there is a significant contest between the BJP's Madhavi Latha and sitting MP Asaduddin Owaisi of the AIMIM, and West Bengal's Krishnanagar, where expelled Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra faces the BJP's Amrita Roy. In Maharashtra's Beed, BJP's Pankaja Munde faces NCP-SP's candidate Bajrang Sonawane, while in Andhra Pradesh's Kadapa, state Congress chief Y.S. Sharmila is challenging cousin and sitting MP Avinash Reddy.
Weather conditions are not a significant concern for polling in this phase according to IMD forecasts. Poll authorities have ensured basic amenities such as drinking water, shade, toilets, ramps, volunteers, and wheelchairs to facilitate voting for all, including the elderly and persons with disabilities.
Voting has commenced for five Lok Sabha seats in Bihar, where the fate of 55 candidates, including two Union ministers, hangs in the balance. The polling started at 7 am in Begusarai, Ujiarpur, Samastipur, Munger, and Darbhanga and will continue until 6 pm, according to a senior official.
Approximately 95.85 lakh eligible voters are expected to cast their votes across 5,398 polling stations. Union Minister Giriraj Singh is contesting for re-election from Begusarai, with CPI's Awadhesh Rai as his primary opponent. Singh had previously defeated former JNU students' union president Kanhaiya Kumar in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls in the same constituency.
In Ujiarpur, Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai is aiming for a third consecutive term. Alok Mehta, a senior RJD leader and former state minister, is his main rival among the 13 candidates contesting in this constituency, which has the lowest number of voters at 17.48 lakh.
Samastipur, formerly known as Rosera, is witnessing a face-off between two debutants - Congress' Sunny Hazari and Shambhavi Choudhary of LJP (Ram Vilas), both offspring of senior JD(U) leaders and ministers in the Nitish Kumar cabinet. Sunny is the son of Maheshwar Hazari, who previously won the seat on a JD(U) ticket in 2009, while Shambhavi is the daughter of Ashok Choudhary, a minister in the Nitish Kumar cabinet.
Voting has commenced for the fourth phase of the Lok Sabha elections in Uttar Pradesh, encompassing 13 parliamentary constituencies. The spotlight is on the highly contested Kannauj seat, where Samajwadi Party President Akhilesh Yadav is seeking election. Union Minister of State for Home Ajay Mishra Teni is another notable candidate vying for election from Lakhimpur Kheri.
The constituencies where voting is taking place include Shahjahanpur, Lakhimpur Kheri, Dhaurhara, Sitapur, Hardoi, Misrikh, Unnao, Farrukhabad, Etawah (SC), Kannauj, Kanpur, Akbarpur, and Bahraich. Among these, Shahjahanpur, Hardoi, Misrikh, Etawah, and Bahraich are reserved seats. A total of 130 candidates are contesting in this phase, with the maximum number of contestants (15) from the Kannauj seat.
In this phase, the BJP has nominated 11 sitting MPs for reelection, while introducing new candidates Ramesh Awasthi and Anand Kumar in Kanpur and Bahraich (SC) respectively. The SP has fielded candidates in 11 Lok Sabha seats, while the Congress is contesting in Kanpur and Sitapur.
Several BJP candidates are aiming for consecutive terms, including Ajay Mishra Teni, Rekha Verma, Mukesh Rajput, and Devendra Singh Bhole, seeking their third term, and Rajesh Verma aiming for a fifth term from Sitapur. Ashok Kumar Rawat and Ram Shankar Katheria are eyeing their fourth term from Misrikh (SC) and Etawah (SC) respectively. Additionally, Jai Prakash from Hardoi (SC) and Sakshi Maharaj from Unnao are seeking their sixth term in the Lok Sabha.
In addition to the Lok Sabha elections, a bypoll in the Dadraul Assembly constituency in Shahjahanpur district is also scheduled for Monday. There are 10 candidates in the fray, including two women contestants, with a total of 3.73 lakh registered voters in the Assembly constituency.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed optimism on Monday morning, urging people to actively participate in the democratic process as polling commenced for the fourth phase of the Lok Sabha elections. Union Home Minister Amit Shah also encouraged voters, including those in Jammu and Kashmir, to turn out in record numbers at polling booths.
PM Modi took to X platform, stating, "In today's 4th Phase of the Lok Sabha elections, 96 seats across 10 States and UTs are going to the polls. I am sure people in these constituencies will vote in large numbers and the young voters as well as women voters will power this surge in voting. Come, let's all do our duty and strengthen our democracy!"
As per the latest data from the ECI, 63.13 per cent of polling was recorded across the 11 states and union territories in India where polling was conducted for the Lok Sabha elections in the third phase on Tuesday. Assam recorded the highest turnout among all the states at 76.68 per cent, followed closely by Goa where 74.52 per cent polling was recorded.
On the other hand, Uttar Pradesh remained bottom on the list after recording a paltry 57.34 per cent voter turnout till 10pm.
According to the latest approximation by the Election Commission of India, till 10pm Assam recorded 76.68 per cent voter turnout, the highest among all the states and union territories where polling was conducted for the third phase on Tuesday.
Dhubri stood out as the constituency where the most polling was witnessed at 81.93 per cent, followed by Barpeta at 78.22 per cent. Guwahati recorded the least of 70.10 per cent, while Kokrajhar witnessed a turnout of 74.24 per cent.
In a devastating road accident at Singra in Boko, a bike collided head-on with a traveller transporting Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) on Tuesday. The impact of the collision has left both bikers in critical condition.
The traveller, who was transporting EVMs from Nagarbera to Boko, was involved in the accident. The severity of the collision necessitated the urgent referral of both the injured to the Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) for advanced treatment. Both individuals hail from Boko Hahim.
A Guwahati resident complained about the misbehaviour faced by his wife at the Uzan Bazar primary school polling booth today. According to the complaint filed by the man, the polling official misbehaved with his ailing wife who had a broken wrist. The matter was highlighted by Lurinjyoti Gogoi on social media, who demanded action against the official.
In a tragic incident, a voter lost his life at a polling booth during the electoral process in Assam’s Chirang on Tuesday. The cause of the death is yet to be ascertained.
The somber event unfolded at Polling Booth No. 35 Dangaigaon LP School in Chirang within the Kokrajhar Lok Sabha constituency, where the victim identified as Hussain Ali (38) tragically lost his life while attempting to cast his vote.
Amid a largely peaceful voting process across Assam, Kokrajhar reported two minor incidents of violent outbursts towards the end of the day's polling on Tuesday.
Kokrajhar was one of the four constituencies where polling was held in the third phase today.
In the first incident which occurred at the Kokrajhar Science College polling booth where Bodoland People's Front (BPF) workers were accused of ragging after which tensions flared at the institute. In the aftermath of the incident, the police personnel present at the scene detained the BPF party worker identified as Buddu Debnath.
Meanwhile, another incident involving both BPF and United People's Party Liberal (UPPL) workers unfolded at the office of the BPF party. The opposition UPPL party workers were accused of attacking BPF workers.
Three BPF workers, namely Dipunjay Brahma, Bharat Bhushan Narzary and Lourhour Gayari were attacked, while the assailants also targeted a journalist taking him to be a BPF worker. Local police reached the scene and brought the situation under control.
As per the latest data from the ECI, 60.19 per cent of polling was recorded across the 11 states and union territories in India where polling was conducted for the Lok Sabha elections in the third phase on Tuesday. Assam recorded the highest turnout among all the states at 74.86 per cent, followed closely by West Bengal where 73.93 per cent polling was recorded.
On the other hand, Maharashtra remained bottom on the list after recording a paltry 53.40 per cent voter turnout till 5pm.
Here’s the full list:
State | Voter turnout |
---|---|
Assam | 74.86% |
Bihar | 56.01% |
Chhattisgarh | 66.87% |
Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu | 65.23% |
Goa | 72.52% |
Gujarat | 55.22% |
Karnataka | 66.05% |
Madhya Pradesh | 62.28% |
Maharashtra | 53.40% |
Uttar Pradesh | 55.13% |
West Bengal | 73.93% |
According to the latest approximation by the Election Commission of India, till 5pm Assam recorded 74.86 per cent voter turnout, the highest among all the states and union territories where polling was conducted for the third phase on Tuesday.
Dhubri stood out as the constituency where the most polling was witnessed at 79.70 per cent, followed by Barpeta at 76.20 per cent. Guwahati recorded the least of 67.68 per cent, while Kokrajhar witnessed a turnout of 74.24 per cent.
Constituency | Voter Turnout |
---|---|
Barpeta | 76.20% |
Dhubri | 79.70% |
Guwahati | 67.68% |
Kokrajhar | 74.24% |
As many as 41 voters were unable to cast their votes at a polling booth in Assam's Barpeta where voting took place today for the third phase of Lok Sabha polls.
As per reports, the 41 voters were apparently deceased according to the records with the Election Commission. The incident was reported from the 69 ME School polling booth under the Bhowanipur-Sorbhog LAC and the voters had to return without casting their votes.
The Bhowanipur-Sorbhog LAC recorded a polling percentage of 73.50 per cent at 5pm.
In the upcoming electoral phase, Aditya Yadav, son of SP national general secretary Shivpal Yadav, is set to make his political debut contesting for the Budaun Lok Sabha seat, previously held by his cousin Dharmendra Yadav. This phase will also witness prominent figures like Union minister SP Singh Baghel and UP's minister of state for revenue Anoop Pradhan Balmiki vying for seats in Agra and Hathras respectively. Balmiki is among the five new faces being promoted by the BJP for this phase, alongside Chhatrapal Gangwar from Bareilly, Durvijay Singh Shakya from Budaun, Vishwadeep Singh from Firozabad, and Jaiveer Singh from Mainpuri.
Out of the five assembly constituencies under the Kamrup metropolitan election district, the highest polling was seen in Dimoria LAC at 58.36 per cent. The approximate trends till 3 pm showed that Guwahati Central LAC recorded a turnout of 50.32 per cent, while New Guwahati LAC recorded 50.23 per cent polling till 3 pm.
Meanwhile, Dispur LAC saw 51.06 per cent and Jalukbari Central LAC recorded 57.41 per cent polling.
The approximate voter turnout trends across the 11 states and union territories in India at 3 pm stood at 50.71 per cent with West Bengal seeing 63.11 per cent polling, the highest, closely followed by Assam with 63.08 per cent.
On the other hand, with a voter turnout of 42.63 per cent, Maharashtra witnessed the lowest polling till 3pm.
Here is the full list:
State | Voter turnout |
---|---|
Assam | 63.08% |
Bihar | 46.69% |
Chhattisgarh | 58.19% |
Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu | 52.43% |
Goa | 61.39% |
Gujarat | 47.03% |
Karnataka | 54.20% |
Madhya Pradesh | 54.09% |
Maharashtra | 42.63% |
Uttar Pradesh | 46.78% |
West Bengal | 63.11% |
The latest voter turnout trends are in and Assam recorded an approximate polling percentage of 63.08 per cent. The highest polling among the four constituencies voting in the third phase today was witnessed in Dhubri where 65.51 per cent turnout was recorded. Dhubri was followed by Barpeta where a turnout of 65.20 per cent was recorded.
Guwahati on the other hand recorded the least among the four constituencies where only 57.46 per cent of polling was conducted till 3 pm. Lastly, Kokrajhar recorded a voter turnout of 63.64 per cent.
Constituency | Voter Turnout |
---|---|
Barpeta | 65.20% |
Dhubri | 65.51% |
Guwahati | 57.46% |
Kokrajhar | 63.64% |
Despite initial intentions to abstain from voting, BJP MLA Atul Bora from the Dispur constituency ultimately cast his vote at Bagharbari LP School at 3 pm.
Bora had earlier decided against voting due to astrological advice cautioning against leaving his residence on Tuesdays, a day significant to him as he has lost family members on Tuesdays. However, influenced by the insistence of his supporters and on the occasion of his marriage anniversary, Bora chose to participate in the electoral process.
Singing star Angaraag Mahanta 'Papon' hoped for a government that works towards cultural upliftment as he cast his vote in Guwahati on Tuesday during the third phase of polling.
Speaking afterwards, he said, "Today, Korean music is world famous because their government had a 20-year vision. We also want a government like that."
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma cast his vote and thanked the people of the state for coming out in huge numbers and exercising their franchise. He said, "Polling was peaceful in the last two phases in Assam and today also people have come out in record numbers and I thank them for their cooperation and support.
Badruddin Ajmal, the incumbent Member of Parliament from Dhubri Lok Sabha Constituency, has expressed unwavering confidence in securing victory for the fourth consecutive time.
Ajmal's statement underscores his belief in the continued support and trust of the electorate in the Dhubri constituency. With his track record and popularity among voters, he appears poised to maintain his stronghold in the upcoming elections.
As the electoral campaign unfolds, Ajmal's assertion sets the tone for a competitive race in Dhubri, with all eyes on the outcome of the upcoming polls.
Residents of Hatigaon's Sijubaru locality are facing challenges as artificial floods inundate the streets, making it difficult for voters to reach polling stations during elections.
The recurring issue of waterlogging has persisted for years, with locals lamenting the lack of effective solutions from concerned authorities from the Kamrup Metro District. The stagnant water not only impedes voter turnout but also restricts the movement of residents, who are compelled to remain indoors due to the deteriorating road conditions.
The plight of the residents highlights the urgent need for comprehensive measures to address drainage issues and improve infrastructure in the area. As voters struggle to exercise their democratic rights amidst these challenges, the demand for prompt action from relevant authorities grows louder.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma cast his vote along with his wife and children. He cast his vote at the Amingaon High School polling booth.
Sivasagar MLA Akhil Gogoi and renowned writer and literary critic Dr. Hiren Gohain exercised their voting rights at the polling booth located in Nizarapar Primary School in Chandmari.
Both prominent figures in the region participated in the electoral process, emphasizing the importance of voter turnout and civic engagement.
Their presence at the same polling booth underscores the significance of every citizen's role in shaping the democratic process and determining the future direction of their constituency.
Here are the voter turnout percentages across each constituency in the Kamrup Metro Election district till 1 pm:
33 Dispur LAC - 38.03%
34 Dimoria LAC - 42.10%
35 New Guwahati LAC - 36.01%
36 Guwahati Central LAC - 36.71%
37 Jalukbari Central LAC - 39.12%
The voter turnout across 11 states and UTs in the third phase of Lok Sabha elections stands at 39.92 percent till 1:30 pm.
West Bengal leads the chart with 49.27 percent voter turnout, while Maharashtra records the lowest turnout with 31.55 percent.
Here are voter percentages in each state:
Assam | 45.88% |
Bihar | 36.69% |
Chhattisgarh | 46.14% |
Dadra and Nagar Haveli | 39.94% |
Goa | 49.04% |
Gujarat | 37.83% |
Karnataka | 41.59% |
Madhya Pradesh | 44.67% |
Maharashtra | 31.55% |
Uttar Pradesh | 38.12% |
West Bengal | 49.27% |
A total of 45.88 percent voter turnout in the third phase of the Lok Sabha elections has been reported across the four constituencies of Assam till 1:30 pm.
The highest polling percentage was recorded in Dhubri with 47.73 percent, followed by Barpeta with 46.83 percent.
Further, Kokrajhar stands third with 46.43 percent and Guwahati is trailing by 42.13 percent.
In a remarkable display of determination and resilience, Ankit Soni, a voter from Nadiad, Gujarat, defied odds by casting his vote using his feet at a local polling booth.
Congress candidate Rakibul Hussain made a notable appearance in Bilasipara, emphasizing the significant turnout of voters who have shown enthusiasm in exercising their democratic right. According to him, voters are gravitating towards the Congress in hopes of addressing various pressing issues, including land disputes, erosion, and the escalating cost of living.
Senior educationist Basanta Deka and his wife Kiran Deka encountered a disturbing incident while exercising their voting rights at the 14th Uzan Bazar Sishu Vidyalay. Despite Kiran Deka's ill health, both individuals made the effort to cast their votes.
However, their experience turned sour when they accused the presiding officer, Avinash Kumar, of misconduct. According to the couple, Kumar exhibited inappropriate behavior towards them during the voting process.
The incident sheds light on the importance of ensuring respectful and fair treatment of voters by election officials, regardless of their status or health conditions. Further investigation into the matter may be necessary to address the allegations and uphold the integrity of the voting process.
Guwahati Mayor Mrigen Sarania exercised his voting right in the city and expressed his observation that this election has seen a significant turnout in favor of the 'SABKA SAATH SABKA VIKAS' (Together with All, Development for All) ideology. Sarania's statement reflects the sentiments of voters rallying behind inclusive development agendas. As a key political figure, his remarks shed light on the prevailing mood and aspirations of the electorate in Guwahati.
In a touching display of compassion and dedication to duty, a CRPF jawan went above and beyond his call of duty by carrying a 90-year-old woman through adverse weather conditions to the polling booth in Guwahati's Fatasil Ambari. Despite the challenging circumstances, the elderly woman's determination to cast her vote remained unwavering. The selfless act of the CRPF jawan highlights the spirit of service and solidarity, symbolizing the essence of democracy where every voice, regardless of age or circumstance, holds significance.
Renowned natator Elvis Ali Hazarika, accompanied by his wife Pranami Hazarika, fulfilled their civic duty by casting their votes in Guwahati. The couple's participation in the electoral process underscores the importance of active engagement in democracy. As popular figures, their actions serve as an example to inspire others to exercise their voting rights for the betterment of society.
To vote, is our responsibility. We voted. Have you? Your Vote Your VoiceElvis Ali Hazarika
Following his participation in the electoral process, Gautam Adani, a prominent business figure, expressed confidence in India's trajectory, stating, "India is progressing forward, and will continue to advance further." Adani's statement reflects optimism regarding the nation's development and underscores the importance of civic engagement in shaping its future. As a key player in India's economic landscape, Adani's perspective resonates with aspirations for continued growth and prosperity.
India is progressing forward, and will continue to advance furtherGautam Adani
Despite the recent loss of his wife, a man demonstrated resilience and commitment to democratic principles by making his way to the polling station to cast his vote. In the face of personal grief, he chose to participate in the electoral process, honoring his spouse's memory through this solemn act. This poignant example underscores the deep-rooted value placed on civic duty and democratic engagement within communities, even amidst times of personal sorrow.
In a poignant display of commitment to democracy, a voter in Azara arrived at the Bangara Primary School polling booth clad in white attire, accompanied by family members, to cast his vote.
Remarkably, the voter had recently lost his father, who passed away just five days prior to the election day. Despite the personal loss, the voter and his family deemed it important to exercise their democratic right, underscoring the significance of civic participation even amidst personal sorrow.
Here are the voter turnout percentages across each constituency in the Kamrup Metro Election district till 11 am:
33 Dispur LAC - 22.22%
34 Dimoria LAC - 24.17%
35 New Guwahati LAC - 23.00%
36 Guwahati Central LAC - 23.01%
37 Jalukbari Central LAC - 27.19%
At 11:30 am, a total of 25.41 percent voter turnout was recorded across 11 states and union territories in the third phase of Lok Sabha Polls 2024.
West Bengal leads the chart with 32.82 percent voter turnout, while Maharashtra records the lowest turnout with 18.18 percent.
Here are voter percentages in each state:
Assam | 27.34% |
Bihar | 24.41% |
Chhattisgarh | 29.90% |
Dadra and Nagar Haveli | 24.69% |
Goa | 30.94% |
Gujarat | 24.35% |
Karnataka | 24.48% |
Madhya Pradesh | 30.21% |
Maharashtra | 18.18% |
Uttar Pradesh | 26.12% |
West Bengal | 32.82% |
In a concerning incident at the polling booth of Mohanpur Nayapara Primary School No. 171 in Jogighopa, Bongaigaon, a polling agent identified as Deependra Chandra Das collapsed during his duty. The sudden fall necessitated the postponement of polling at the center for half an hour. Das was swiftly referred to the Bongaigaon Civil Hospital for further medical attention.
Assamese singer Geetali Devi exercises democratic rights at Shankardev Vidya Niketan in Zoo road, Guwahati.
A total of 27.34 percent voter turnout in the third phase of the Lok Sabha elections has been reported across teh four constituencies of Assam till 11:30 am.
The highest polling percentage was recorded in Kokrajhar with 28.28 percent followed by Dhubri with 27.77 percent. Further, Barpeta stands third with 27.19 percent and Guwahati is trailing by 26.25 percent.
A technical glitch in an EVM has been reported at Beltola High School polling booth in Guwahati. Reportedly, the technical issue occurred after around 400 votes were cast in the EVM. The voting has been temporarily stopped in the polling booth following the incident.
Assam Cabinet Minister Jayanta Mallabaruah casts vote along with his family at Chandkuchi Public School polling booth in Nalbari.
Congress national president Mallikarjun Kharge casts his vote along with his wife at a polling station in Kalaburagi. Congress has filed Radhakrishna from Kalaburagi constituency and BJP has fielded Umesh G Jadhav.
At 9 am, a total of 10.81 percent voter turnout was recorded across 11 states and union territories in the third phase of Lok Sabha Polls 2024. Here are voter percentages in each state:
Assam | 10.12% |
Bihar | 10.41% |
Chhattisgarh | 13.24% |
Dadra and Nagar Haveli | 10.13% |
Goa | 13.02% |
Gujarat | 9.87% |
Karnataka | 9.45% |
Madhya Pradesh | 14.43% |
Maharashtra | 6.64% |
Uttar Pradesh | 12.94% |
West Bengal | 15.85% |
Here are the voter turnout percentages across each constituency in the Kamrup Metro Election district till 9 am:
33 Dispur LAC records 10.43%
34 Dimoria LAC records 11.06%
35 New Guwahati LAC records 9.53%
36 Guwahati Central LAC records 10.28%
37 Jalukbari Central LAC records 11.30%
According to the early voter turnout trends at 9:30 am, Assam recorded 10.12 percent voting percentage.
Dhubri records 10.75 percent voter turnout and Guwahati stands second with a close call of 10.38 percent. Kokrajhar and Barpeta records 9.77 percent and 9.26 percent respectively.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah and his family voted for the Lok Sabha Elections 2024 at a polling booth in Gujarat Ahmedabad. Amit Shah is the BJP candidate from the Gandhinagar Lok Sabha seat. Congress has fielded its party secretary Sonal Patel from Gandhinagar.
Amit Shah was seen with his wife Sonal Shah, his son Jay Shah, and daughter-in-law at the polling booth.
Just an hour after polling for the third phase of the Lok Sabha elections began on Tuesday, EVM malfunctions were reported in different polling booths across Assam.
EVM tampering was reported at the No 134 Dholagaon Polling Booth in Bongaigaon; West Suradi Primary School in Nalbari; No. 195 polling booth in Sualkuchi; and No 136 polling booth in Dhubri.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi casts his vote for Lok Sabha elections 2024 at the Nishan Higher Secondary School in Ahmedabad. After casting his vote at the polling booth, PM Modi showed his inked finger.
Congress candidate from Kokrajhar Garjan Muchahary cast his vote early this morning at the No. 511 Katrigacha Primary School voting center.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached the polling booth at Nishan Public School in Ahmedabad soon after the polling began at 7 am today and cast his vote. Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who is contesting to retain the Gandhinagar Lok Sabha seat, was also present when PM Modi reached the polling booth.
Congress candidate of the Guwahati Lok Sabha constituency, Mira Borthakur casts her vote at the Narbam L.P. School voting center. Bracing inclement weather, many voters gathered early this morning to exercise their franchise in the voting center.
Voting for the third phase of the ongoing Lok Sabha general elections began across the remaining four constituencies of Assam on Tuesday at 7 am. Guwahati is among the four seats where voting will take place today.
The third phase of the Lok Sabha Elections 2024 commenced on Tuesday, May 7, marking another significant milestone in the world's largest democracy. Across 11 states and Union Territories, voters in 93 Lok Sabha constituencies will actively participate in shaping the nation's future.
Key battlegrounds include 25 seats in Gujarat, where BJP candidate Mukesh Dalal secured the Surat Lok Sabha seat uncontested. Additionally, 14 constituencies in Karnataka, 11 in Maharashtra, 10 in Uttar Pradesh, 9 in Madhya Pradesh, 7 in Chhattisgarh, 5 in Bihar, and 4 each in West Bengal and Assam will witness vigorous electoral contests. Furthermore, 2 seats each in Goa and Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu will contribute to the electoral process.
The Election Commission's decision to reschedule voting in the Betul constituency of Madhya Pradesh, originally slated for April 26 in the second phase, underscores the commitment to ensuring a fair and inclusive electoral process following the unfortunate demise of a Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) candidate.
Previously, the first phase of voting on April 19 saw 102 Lok Sabha constituencies go to polls, followed by the completion of the second phase on April 26, wherein voters in 88 seats exercised their franchise. Results for all contested seats are eagerly anticipated and will be declared on June 4, marking the culmination of this democratic exercise.
The constituency comprises five assembly constituencies - Dispur, Dimoria, New Guwahati, Guwahati Central, and Jalukbari.
Kamrup Metropolitan boasts a significant electorate, totaling 10,55,684 voters. Among these, 5,15,052 are male, 5,40,596 are female, and 36 identify as third gender. Notably, 15,960 new voters aged 18 to 19 years have registered, alongside 8,212 voters over the age of 85 and 912 service voters.
A robust infrastructure has been established to accommodate the voting process, with 1,026 polling stations deployed across the constituency. To oversee proceedings, 1,283 presiding officers, 4,620 polling officers, and requisite security personnel have been deployed. Additionally, 564 webcastings have been arranged to ensure transparency.
A total of 47 candidates, comprising 41 males and 6 females, will contest in the third phase of the Lok Sabha polls tomorrow. Barpeta constituency records the highest number of candidates, while Guwahati constituency reports the lowest.
According to the latest statistics provided by the Assam CEO's office, a total of 9,516 polling stations have been set up to accommodate the 8,149,091 eligible voters across the state. Among them, 4,100,544 are male, 4,048,436 are female, and 111 belong to the third gender. Additionally, there are 73,690 differently-abled voters and 1,529 voters aged above 100 years. Moreover, 2,10,177 new voters will participate in the electoral process for the first time.
The phase 3 of Lok Sabha polls will mark the end of elections in Assam as the remaining four constituencies vote today. This includes capital city Guwahati where the Congress has fielded Mira Borthakur against BJP's Bijuli Kalita Medhi.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has taken a firm stance against former Nagaon MP Rajen Gohain, a senior BJP leader, for his purported statements detrimental to the party's interests during the ongoing Lok Sabha elections.
Speaking to the media, CM Sarma emphasized the gravity of a senior BJP figure speaking against the party on a crucial polling day, asserting that such behavior is unacceptable. He underscored that in the BJP, individuals cannot arbitrarily classify themselves as either old or new members, as the party's strength lies in its unity. The Chief Minister underscored the party's resilience, stating its capability to make bold decisions in such situations.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi conveyed his appreciation to the voters across India for their participation in the second phase of the Lok Sabha Polls 2024.
In a message posted on his official 'X' platform handle, PM Modi expressed gratitude, stating, "Phase Two has been too good! Gratitude to the people across India who have voted today. The unparalleled support for NDA is going to disappoint the Opposition even more. Voters want NDA’s good governance. Youth and women voters are powering the strong NDA support."
Five constituencies of Assam went to polls in phase two of the Lok Sabha elections on Friday with 81.17 percent polling recorded.
The highest voter turnout of 84.97 percent was recorded in Nagaon, followed by 82.01 percent in Darrang-Udalguri, 80.48 percent in Karimganj, 79.05 percent in Silchar, and 75.74 percent in Diphu.
Tripura remained at the top with the highest voter turnout of 78.53 percent, while Uttar Pradesh recorded the lowest voter turnout of 53.71 percent.
The full list of voter turnout till 7 pm has been given below:
State | Turnout |
---|---|
Assam | 70.68% |
Bihar | 54.91% |
Chhattisgarh | 72.61% |
Jammu and Kashmir | 71.21% |
Karnataka | 64.90% |
Kerala | 65.23% |
Madhya Pradesh | 53.84% |
Maharashtra | 53.84% |
Manipur | 77.18% |
Rajasthan | 62.60% |
Tripura | 78.53% |
Uttar Pradesh | 53.71% |
West Bengal | 71.84% |
A derailment between New Harangajao and Jatinga Lumpur railway stations in Assam's Dima Hasao district has thrown railway services into disarray, affecting passengers and casting a shadow over democratic participation.
The incident, which occurred during a journey from Badarpur to Lumding, has led to the suspension of all railway services along this route, causing inconvenience to travelers.
In response, the railway department has arranged transportation for stranded passengers in Lumding, including those aboard the 12503 Bangalore to Agartala Express and the 15611 Rangiya to Silchar train, providing bus services free of charge. Despite these efforts, some affected passengers have resorted to using their resources, opting to travel to Silchar in private vehicles. Meanwhile, frustration brews among passengers who feel deprived of their democratic rights due to the disruption, with grievances directed at the central government.
The voter turnout trends as of 5 pm in Assam showed Darrang-Udalguri constituency leading with 72.99 percent. On the other hand, Nagaon witnessed 71.84 percent and Karimganj witnessed 71.12 percent polling. Diphu recorded 69.62 percent voter turnout. While Silchar remained last with 65.57 percent polling.
Tripura remained at the top with the highest voter turnout of 76.23 percent, while Uttar Pradesh recorded teh lowest voter turnout of 52.64 percent.
The full list of voter turnout till 5 pm has been given below:
State | Turnout |
---|---|
Assam | 70.66% |
Bihar | 53.03% |
Chhattisgarh | 72.13% |
Jammu and Kashmir | 67.22% |
Karnataka | 63.90% |
Kerala | 63.97% |
Madhya Pradesh | 54.83% |
Maharashtra | 53.51% |
Manipur | 76.06% |
Rajasthan | 59.19% |
Tripura | 76.23% |
Uttar Pradesh | 52.64% |
West Bengal | 71.84% |
Major allegations have been leveled against the Congress party of booth capturing and proxy voting in the Hailakandi district under the Karimganj Lok Sabha constituency. These serious allegations were leveled by AIUDF MLA of Hailakandi, Zakir Hussain Laskar on Friday. The MLA alleged that in various places under of Hailakandi, the Congress made attempts of booth capturing and proxy voting. Right after casting his vote today, Laskar, while speaking to the media appealed to the jurisdiction to keep track of the incidents and not let them hinder the election process.
Tripura records the highest voter turnout with 68.92 percent polling. On the other hand, Maharashtra records the lowest polling with 43.01 percent polling.
The full list of voter turnout has been given below:
State | Turnout |
---|---|
Assam | 60.32% |
Bihar | 44.24% |
Chhattisgarh | 63.92% |
Jammu and Kashmir | 57.76% |
Karnataka | 50.93% |
Kerala | 51.64% |
Madhya Pradesh | 46.50% |
Maharashtra | 43.01% |
Manipur | 68.48% |
Rajasthan | 50.27% |
Tripura | 68.92% |
Uttar Pradesh | 44.13% |
West Bengal | 60.60% |
In a concerning revelation during the second phase of Lok Sabha elections in Assam, it has come to light that a voter allegedly cast their vote twice across two districts, raising questions about the integrity of the electoral process. The incident occurred in Bokakhat’s Kakojan area, which borders Golaghat and Karbi Anglong districts.
The voter in question, identified as Bimol Mura, also known as Duba Murah, purportedly exercised his franchise in Bokakhat constituency during the first phase of polling on April 19. However, he was reported to have cast another vote in the second phase of polling at polling booth no. 174 in Kakojan LP School, located in Bokajan within the East Karbi Anglong district.
The latest voter turnout trends till 1 pm indicate that 54.47 per cent polling, Tripura recorded the most out of the 13 states where second phase of polling is underway today. Manipur followed closely behind with a voter turnout of 54.26 per cent. Elsewhere, voting has not picked up yet in Maharashtra where the turnout recorded till 1 pm was 31.77 per cent. Here is the full list:
State | Turnout |
---|---|
Assam | 46.31% |
Bihar | 33.80% |
Chhattisgarh | 53.09% |
Jammu and Kashmir | 42.88% |
Karnataka | 38.23% |
Kerala | 39.26% |
Madhya Pradesh | 38.96% |
Maharashtra | 31.77% |
Manipur | 54.26% |
Rajasthan | 40.39% |
Tripura | 54.47% |
Uttar Pradesh | 35.73% |
West Bengal | 47.29% |
As the parliamentary elections unfold today across five constituencies in Assam, reports of negligence and discrepancies in the voters' list have cast a shadow over the democratic process.
In Baghjap village of Jagiroad under the Nagaon Lok Sabha constituency, the no. 151 polling station has become a focal point of concern as around 80 elderly individuals find themselves disenfranchised due to their names being inexplicably absent from the electoral roll.
Among those affected are elderly voters who have faithfully exercised their franchise in every previous election. Shockingly, even the name of a respected Mouzadar from the area has been omitted from the voters' list, adding to the sense of disenfranchisement and disillusionment.
The latest voter turnout trends are in and the Darrang-Udalguri constituency leapfrogged Diphu in terms of the total polling which was recorded at 49.72 per cent. Karimganj was close behind at 49.14 per cent, while Silchar remained last with 40.23 per cent polling.
Constituency | Turnout |
---|---|
Darrang-Udalguri | 49.72% |
Diphu | 46.40% |
Karimganj | 49.14% |
Nagaon | 44.48% |
Silchar | 40.23% |
The Supreme Court has sent a notice to the Election Commission of India (ECI) in response to a petition requesting guidelines to declare elections in a constituency null and void if "None of the Above" (NOTA) option garners the majority of votes. The plea also seeks rules to disqualify candidates who receive fewer votes than NOTA from contesting any elections for five years, as well as ensuring clear reporting and publicity of NOTA as a "Fictional Candidate".
"I am very happy to vote today. Each vote counts. Don't hesitate to come out to vote," the ISRO chief said after casting his vote in Kerala's Thiruvananthapuram.
An eligible voter from Kasokhaity in Samaguri, situated within the Nagaon Lok Sabha constituency, was confronted with an alarming revelation on Friday: he had been erroneously declared deceased.
Reports indicate that upon arriving at the polling station, the individual was informed by the polling agent that, as per their records, he was no longer among the living.
Expressing incredulity and dismay, the affected individual voiced his disbelief, stating, "I came to vote, however, the polling officer told me that my name is not in the electoral roll because according to their documents, I am dead."
Google introduced a new Doodle commemorating the commencement of the second phase of Lok Sabha elections at 7 a.m. on Friday. This phase covers 89 constituencies across 13 states and Union Territories. Clicking on the Doodle, featuring an inked finger, redirects users to search results highlighting the latest updates on the ongoing elections.
Assam cabinet minister and BJP leader Pijush Hazarika cast his vote and targetted the Congress over its stance on EVM hacking. He said, "Whenever Congress wins, then there is no discussion of EVM and VVPAT... When they won in Himachal Pradesh, did they oppose EVMs... Whenever the opposition (Congress) loses, they blame the EVMs. All these allegations are baseless."
Congress leader and candidate from Guwhati, Mira Borthakur is reportedly gearing up to take out a bike rally from Dhupdhara to Dhudhnoi in the Goalpara district of Assam. She will be joined by Gaurav Gogoi and AJP chief Lurinjyoti Gogoi and Raijor Dal general secretary Rashel Hussain.
After the rally, Borthakur is slated to address two gatherings in Dudhnoi and West Goalpara.
Amidst the second phase of Lok Sabha elections, a polling officer stationed at Assam’s Hailakandi district reportedly passed away while on duty.
The incident was reported from a polling station at Katlicherra under Karimganj Lok Sabha constituency on Friday morning.
Sources revealed that the officer, whose identity is yet to be established, allegedly died due to high blood pressure. Read the full story here.
Till 11 am, Tripura witnessed the highest polling at 36.42 per cent, closely followed by Chhattisgarh at 35.47 per cent and Manipur at 33.22 per cent. With 18.83 per cent voter turnout, Maharashtra recorded the least turnout according to latest trends.
State | Turnout |
---|---|
Assam | 27.43% |
Bihar | 21.68% |
Chhattisgarh | 35.47% |
Jammu and Kashmir | 26.61% |
Karnataka | 22.34% |
Kerala | 25.61% |
Madhya Pradesh | 28.15% |
Maharashtra | 18.83% |
Manipur | 33.22% |
Rajasthan | 26.84% |
Tripura | 36.42% |
Uttar Pradesh | 24.31% |
West Bengal | 31.25% |
The latest voter turnout trends in Assam till 11 am are in and 27.43 per cent polling was recorded in the state. Diphu maintains the lead with 30.82 per cent turnout followed by Karimganj at 29.99 per cent. The turnout witnessed in Silchar was the lowest at 23.20 per cent.
Constituency | Turnout |
---|---|
Darrang-Udalguri | 28.81% |
Diphu | 30.82% |
Karimganj | 29.99% |
Nagaon | 25.29% |
Silchar | 23.20% |
After a 20-year hiatus, the villagers of Bamunjhar village, situated within Assam’s Darrang-Udalguri Lok Sabha constituency, have finally participated in the voting process.
The polling, taking place at Bamunjhar Primary School, witnessed a significant turnout as villagers exercised their democratic rights during the second phase of the Lok Sabha elections.
Comprising 15 per cent Boro and 85 per cent non-Boro population, the village had refrained from voting in protest against its inclusion in the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR).
As many as 120 eligible voters at a polling booth in Silchar's Chittaranjan Road called for a boycott of polls over artificial flooding witnessed every year.
The Supreme Court of India rejected all petitions that sought 100 per cent cross-verification of votes cast using EVM with VVPAT on Friday. Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta who were on the bench noted that democracy is about harmony and trust among its different pillars.
Indian cricket team stars of the yesteryears, Rahul Dravid and Anil Kumble cast their vote in Karnataka. The current head coach of the men's team, Dravid was seen standing in a queue awaiting his turn to cast his vote in Bengaluru. Meanwhile, Kumble also cast his vote in Bengaluru.
Voting at the left wing of No 175 polling booth in Rowta's Ekrabari under the Darrang-Udalguri Lok Sabha constituency has not begun yet due to EVM malfunction even after three hours.
Voters queued up in large numbers at the polling booth.
Due to a delay in voting caused by the malfunctioning of an EVM machine, several voters went away without casting their vote in Assam's Madoikata village. The incident was reported from the Madoikata Balika ME Madrasa coming under the Goreswar assembly constituency and the Darrang-Udalguri Lok Sabha constituency.
Voters who had gathered since early morning to cast their vote, expressed displeasure as a section returned home without casting vote.
Congress candidate for the Darrang-Udalguri constituency, Madhab Rajbanghsi cast his vote at the No 151 Bamunpara Primary School polling station in Mangaldoi.
Having cast his vote, the Congress candidate complained of low-lighting at the booth saying that due to the failure of BJP, he has cast his vote in favour of Congress.
Security measures have been heightened in Manipur for the second phase of polling. The security arrangements at a polling booth in Outer Manipur's Ukhrul where large number of forces have been stationed to prevent any untoward incidents.
In Manipur, voting for 13 assembly segments under the Outer Manipur seat is being held in the second phase today.
Early voting trends are in and according to the Election Commission of India, highest turnout have been witnessed in Chhattisgarh (15.42 per cent) and Manipur (15.49 per cent). On the other hand, Maharashtra recorded the lowest turnout till 9 am at 7.45 per cent.
State | Turnout |
---|---|
Assam | 9.71% |
Bihar | 9.84% |
Chhattisgarh | 15.42% |
Jammu and Kashmir | 10.39% |
Karnataka | 9.21% |
Kerala | 11.98% |
Madhya Pradesh | 13.82% |
Maharashtra | 7.45% |
Manipur | 15.49% |
Rajasthan | 11.77% |
Tripura | 16.65% |
Uttar Pradesh | 11.67% |
West Bengal | 15.68% |
An elderly voter headed to cast his vote in a wheelchair in Assam's Juria. Watch.
Till 9 am of polling, Assam recorded a voter turnout of 9.71 per cent. The highest turnout was seen in Diphu where 14.13 per cent of polling has been done. On the other hand, the lowest turnout was witnessed in Silchar where 5.49 per cent of polling has been completed.
Constituency | Turnout |
---|---|
Darrang-Udalguri | 11.12% |
Diphu | 14.13% |
Karimganj | 9.61% |
Nagaon | 9.07% |
Silchar | 5.49% |
Another instance of EVM malfunction-enforced delay in voting surfaced from Assam's Lahorighat where voters, who queued up since early morning expressed their displeasure.
Assam BJP president Bhabesh Kalita cast his vote at the Majgaon Higher Secondary School during the second phase of polling on Friday. Speaking afterwards, he exuded confidence of the party doing well in 13 of the 14 Lok Sabha constituencies in the state. He also backed Union minister Sarbananda Sonowal to win big.
"We are sure to win 13 seats. If the minorities and Miyas vote for us, then we will also win in Dhubri. Sarbananda Sonowal will win by a margin of five lakh votes. Everyone will vote for Modiji," said Bhabesh Kalita.
BJP candidate from Kota Om Birla has said that this election is not a fight to save the constitution as it is in good hands. He referred to the opposition saying that they are spreading lies.
Another instance of EVM malfunction surfaced in Assam's Orang at the No 173 Bengenabari polling station under the Majbat assembly constituency. Voting has been delayed by over one hour as a result and the people have started complaining about the issue.
During the ongoing polling for the second phase of the Lok Sabha elections, Congress national president Mallikarjun Kharge urged voters to remain vigilant against any 'diversionary tactics' employed by the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Kharge emphasized that this election is crucial for safeguarding democracy from authoritarian control.
In a message shared on his official social media handle, Kharge stated, "We, the people of India - this soul of the Constitution of India, should reverberate in your hearts and minds before you push the voting button. Do not forget that this is not an ordinary election. It is an election to protect Democracy from the clutches of Dictatorship. To all my dear citizens, from 89 Constituencies in 13 States and UTs, do not get swayed by any diversionary tactics and lies. Always make your vote count."
Kharge also reminded voters of the key promises outlined in the party's manifesto, known as 'Nyay Patra', urging them to turn out in large numbers and exercise their democratic right.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan arrived to cast his vote in Kannur.
A string of EVM malfunctions are occurring across polling booths in Assam. Following three reported cases of EVM developing faults, further reports emerged of similar instances in Moirabari, Mangaldoi, Diphu, and Dhing. The sudden breakdown of EVM machines has forced voting to be delayed in the respective polling booths.
EVM faults occurred at No 293 Pub Ulubari Primary School in Moirabari and No 122 Khoiramari polling booth in Dhing which resulted in delayed voting.
Meanwhile, in Diphu's No 110 a delay in voting was reported due to EVM breaking down. However, voting started after the machine was fixed, reports stated.
Elsewhere in Mangaldoi's Bamunpara Primary School, the VVPAT machine developed a fault due to which voting started after a 25-minute delay.
EVM malfunctions were reported across three polling stations in Assam which forced a delay in voting in the early parts of the second phase of Lok Sabha elections on Friday. An EVM fault was reported from Mojoliya Vidyalaya, that is, No 37 polling booth in Morigaon where voting has been delayed.
Meanwhile, a similar fault in EVM was reported at No 122 polling booth in Samaguri where 1,320 voters arrived early to cast their vote. However, voting has been delayed there as well.
Elsewhere in Sipajhar, EVM malfunction was reported at the women-run No 191 polling booth at the Ghorabandha Lower Primary School forcing voting to be delayed.
Prominent BJP leader Vasundhara Raje cast her vote at a polling booth in Rajasthan's Jhalawar. Voting is underway across 88 PCs in 13 states and union territories of India in the second phase today.
Author-philanthropist Sudha Murty cast her vote in the ongoing Lok Sabha general elections in Bengaluru on Friday. Voting is underway for the second phase of polling today.
Setting an example early in the morning, a 94-year-old woman arrived to cast her vote at a polling station in Outer Manipur's Ukhrul on Friday. Voting for 13 assembly segments under Outer Manipur seat are underway today.
"Urging everyone in constituencies voting today, in the second phase of the Lok Sabha elections, to participate in record numbers. A high voter turnout strengthens our democracy. I especially urge our young voters and women voters to turn out in great numbers. Your vote is your voice!" wrote the Prime Minister in a post on X.
Voting began at 7 am on Friday across 13 states and union territories of India for the second phase of Lok Sabha elections 2024. As many as 88 parliamentary constituencies will vote in phase 2 with five constituencies in Assam also voting today.
A total of 9,133 polling stations have been set up across the five constituencies of Assam which will go to polls in the second phase of the Lok Sabha polls on Friday.
Addressing a press conference in Guwahati, Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Assam, Anurag Goel said that all arrangements have been made for the second phase of elections.
The Assam CEO stated that a total of 77,09,276 voters will cast their franchise tomorrow across 9,133 polling stations.
In Darrang district, the polling teams and EVMs have been dispatched for the second phase of voting scheduled for April 26.
Speaking to ANI, Darrang District Commissioner (DC) Munindra Nath Ngatey said that there are 6.97 lakh voters including 3.53 lakh male voters and 3.44 lakh female voters in the district.
Ngatey said, "In the Darrang district, we have three assembly constituencies - Mangaldoi, Sipajhar, and Dalgaon under the Darrang-Udalguri Lok Sabha constituency. We have 6.97 lakh voters including 3.53 lakh male voters and 3.44 lakh female voters. There are 15 transgender voters and 182 voters above 100 years of age. There are 7,241 young voters. We have deployed CAPF personnel in each critical polling station and there are 169 critical polling stations in the district. We have 461 polling stations where webcasting will be done. Out of 835 polling stations we have 43 polling stations for which polling parties left yesterday. All arrangements have been made. Today we have distributed materials to polling parties. Elections will be held smoothly."
In Assam, a total of 61 candidates are in the fray in the second phase of polling for the five constituencies. The most number of candidates, that is, 24, will be contesting from Karimganj, while the least will be from Diphu at 5. Voting will begin at 7 am and will go on till 5 pm.
The second phase of Lok Sabha general elections will be held on Friday (April 26). In Assam, five constituencies will be up for grabs with - Darrang-Udalguri, Diphu (ST), Karimganj, Silchar (SC), and Nagaon.
Meanwhile, as many as 1,210 candidates across 88 parliamentary constituencies in 13 states and union territories will be in the fray in the second phase, according to Election Commission of India data.
As first phase elections drew to a close, Tripura recorded the highest voter turnout of 81.51 per cent, followed by West Bengal at 77.95 per cent, and Sikkim at 77.87 per cent.
Assam recorded the sixth-most voter turnout at 70.77 per cent behind Puducherry at 75.81 per cent and Meghalaya at 74.50 per cent.
Meanwhlie, Bihar recorded the least voter turnout in the first phase of polling at 48.88 per cent.
(all data are approximate as per latest trends)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi thanked the people for casting their votes in the first phase of the Lok Sabha elections. "First phase, great response! Thank you to all those who have voted today. Getting EXCELLENT feedback from today’s voting. It’s clear that people across India are voting for NDA in record numbers," said PM Modi.
The aggregate voter turnout in the first phase of polling for the 102 Lok Sabha constituencies across 21 states and union territories was recorded at 62.37 per cent.
A bus carrying election officers and employees met with an accident on the Kakopathar-Takaupathar bypass road on Friday evening.
The bus, registered as AS 23 BC 1169, was en route from Kakopathar to Tinsukia when the incident occurred, according to sources familiar with the matter.
Reports indicate that the bus driver lost control of the vehicle, leading to a collision with the bypass divider. As a result of the accident, one employee sustained minor injuries.
The number 205 polling station in Sarupathar under the Kaziranga Lok Sabha constituency in Assam witnessed zero voter turnout during the first phase of polling on Friday.
The polling station was identified as Jeheko Memorial School which falls on the Assam-Nagaland border. A total of 25 voters were supposed to cast their votes at the polling station including 14 male and 11 female voters.
However, no one showed up to cast their votes at the station. As a result, the polling officials had to return with blank EVM machines.
So far, it remains unclear why the people opted not to appear to cast their votes at the polling station.
According to latest trends, the five constituencies were Lok Sabha polls were conducted on Friday showed the following trends:
Dibrugarh - 71.05 per cent.
Jorhat - 77.45 per cent.
Kaziranga - 69.71 per cent.
Lakhimpur - 68.71 per cent.
Sonitpur - 71.34 per cent.
As the clock approached 6:30 pm, more than four hundred voters were observed queuing up at the Bhojmari ME School polling station and the No. 1 Adhabheti Primary School polling station in the southern region of Sootea under Sonitpur Lok Sabha Constituency. Despite the advancing hour, polling activity persisted, indicating a remarkable voter turnout in the area.
Reports suggest that polling is likely to extend into the night at these particular polling stations, highlighting the strong civic engagement and participation of voters in the electoral process.
Following the conclusion of the first phase of polling, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) candidate Rishiraj Kaundinya conveyed his optimism about securing victory in the Sonitpur Lok Sabha constituency. Speaking in Biswanath, Kaundinya expressed gratitude for the increasing support from the public, stating, "At first, there was not much hope as expected, but later, the public has made Rishiraj confident by voting in his favor."
Kaundinya also highlighted concerns regarding the low voter turnout, suggesting it as an unfavorable sign for the incumbent government. He noted, "Many voters in the ruling party have not voted this time," emphasizing the potential implications of this trend.
Asserting his position in the electoral race, Kaundinya affirmed his determination to contend fiercely until the end of polling. Furthermore, he criticized both the Congress and BJP, claiming they are essentially the same party due to members frequently switching sides. Kaundinya predicted a two-cornered contest in Sonitpur, underscoring the AAP's resolve to challenge the status quo.
In a startling turn of events in Tiloi village panchayat of Tingkhong under the Dibrugarh Lok Sabha Constituency, an eligible voter faced a distressing revelation on Friday: he was mistakenly declared deceased. According to reports, the polling agent informed the man that, according to their records, he was no longer alive.
Expressing disbelief, the individual stated, "I had all my documents, but the polling officer told me that my name isn’t on the electoral roll because, according to their documents, I am dead."
The incident underscores a significant oversight by the Election Commission, leading to sadness and frustration for the impacted voter.
As the clock struck five, here is a detailed look of the approximate polling in the 21 states and union territories where parliamentary constituency elections were held in the first phase today. According to latest trends, here are the voter turnouts:
Andaman and Nicobar Islands - 56.87 per cent.
Arunachal Pradesh - 63.92 per cent.
Assam - 70.77 per cent.
Bihar - 46.32 per cent.
Chhattisgarh - 63.41 per cent.
Jammu and Kashmir - 65.08 per cent.
Lakshadweep - 59.02 per cent.
Madhya Pradesh - 63.25 per cent.
Maharashtra - 54.85 per cent.
Manipur - 68.47 per cent.
Meghalaya - 69.91 per cent.
Mizoram - 52.91 per cent.
Nagaland - 55.97 per cent.
Puducherry - 72.84 per cent.
Rajasthan - 50.27 per cent.
Sikkim - 68.06 per cent.
Tamil Nadu - 62.08 per cent.
Tripura - 76.10 per cent.
Uttar Pradesh - 57.54 per cent.
Uttarakhand - 53.56 per cent.
West Bengal - 77.57 per cent.
The approximate voter turnout in 20 districts of Arunachal Pradesh at 5pm where assembly elections were held was recorded at 65.03 per cent. Lower Subansiri district saw the most of 82.10 per cent polling, while Kamle district recorded 81 per cent polling. On the other hand, Papum Pare recorded the least of 33.15 per cent polling among all districts.
Elsewhere Sikkim reported an approximate voter turnout of 67.95 per cent with the six districts witnessing moderate turnout.
According to latest trends, the five constituencies were Lok Sabha polls were conducted on Friday showed the following trends:
Dibrugarh - 70.65 per cent.
Jorhat - 76.20 per cent.
Kaziranga - 68.90 per cent.
Lakhimpur - 68.34 per cent.
Sonitpur - 69.84 per cent.
At 3 pm, Dhekiajuli MLA and Assam Minister Ashok Singhal exercised his franchise at Shantiniketan-polling booth in Bhotpara. Speaking to the media after casting his vote, the minister conveyed his belief that the government would once again be established under the leadership of Narendra Modi.
During the first phase of polling, sporadic incidents disrupted the peace in Sivasagar, with clashes erupting between supporters of the Congress and the BJP. A reported altercation saw BJP supporters allegedly assaulting a Congress worker, prompting the filing of a First Information Report (FIR) at the Sivasagar police station by Congress members.
The clash took a violent turn when District Congress secretary Rabindra Singh was allegedly attacked by a BJP worker identified as Shravan Singh.
This incident, allegedly instigated by Ward Commissioner of Ward Number 11, Mrinalini Konwar, raised concerns over the adherence to the model code of conduct.
Accusations have been leveled against Ward Commissioner Mrinalini Konwar for purportedly campaigning near polling booths numbered 187, 188, and 189 at Bhuban Chandra Gogoi Memorial Polytechnic High School, in violation of the guidelines outlined by the model code of conduct.
Amidst these allegations, BJP worker Shravan Singh has been accused of assaulting District Congress secretary Ravindra Singh, allegedly in response to the latter's attempts to obstruct the reported campaigning activity.
An incident occurred at the No. 181- polling station in Dhemaji, where allegations have arisen of unidentified individuals casting votes on behalf of those listed in the voter registry.
Tension arose at polling booth number 216 in Na-Duar, located within the Sonitpur Lok Sabha Constituency. According to reports, individuals allegedly affiliated with the Congress party exerted pressure on voters to cast their ballots in favor of the party's symbol. Local police intervened, resulting in the arrest of two individuals, including the Booth Level Officer (BLO), based on information from undisclosed sources. A formal complaint filed by the election officer led to the registration of a case against the two suspects. The incident unfolded at Makuwa Primary School in Pach-mile, a community predominantly inhabited by minorities within Na-Duar. The individuals taken into custody were identified as Muskan Begum and Saiful Islam.
The figures below are according to the Election Commission of India (ECI) -
Dibrugarh - 60.83%
Jorhat - 64.84%
Kaziranga - 58.33%
Lakhimpur - 59.53%
Sonitpur - 60.29%
A vehicle of the quick response team submerged in the Deopani River in Assam's Sadiya while it was en route to repair a malfunctioned EVM in Amarpur.
According to sources, the water levels of the Deopani River suddenly rose which submerged the vehicle. The driver of the vehicle luckily managed to break free from the car.
A member of the Raijor Dal party, Sangeeta Gogoi, succumbed to a heart attack while fulfilling her duties at the election table in ward no. 10 of Banmukh Panchayat. Her untimely demise has cast a somber shadow over the electoral process.
The figures below are according to the Election Commission of India (ECI) -
Dibrugarh - 44.02%
Jorhat - 47.73 %
Kaziranga - 44.32 %
Lakhimpur - 44.33 %
Sonitpur - 45.25 %
Amid voting for the first phase of Lok Sabha polls in Assam, people in Dhakuakhana and Dergaon have reportedly announced a complete boycott of the elections citing no development in the region.
In both locations, polling booths wore a deserted look as the voters were instead seen protesting on streets, blocking the road, and raising slogans against the representatives of the constituency.
Displaying a banner declaring their boycott, the voters of Dhakuakhana's Ghilaguri said that they face a lot of hindrance in transportation as the roads are in a deplorable condition. The locals further alleged the negligence of the leaders, due to which they have decided not ot vote for any person.
Reportedly, a total of 538 voters are eligible to cast votes under the No 114 Ghilaguri polling station. However, not a single voter arrived in the centre since this morning.
On the other hand, over 600 voters in Dergaon's Borkoroiyoni boycotted the elections citing no repairment of roads in the remote areas.
The figures below are according to the Election Commission of India (ECI) -
Dibrugarh - 25.41 %
Jorhat - 29.51 %
Kaziranga - 26.88 %
Lakhimpur - 26.14 %
Sonitpur - 28.12 %
In Sonitpur constituency, an instance of EVM tampering has surfaced where the BJP symbol was concealed with a white paper, potentially to mislead voters. A circle officer is on-site investigating the issue, leading to a temporary halt in voting proceedings.
Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal has cast his vote from Dibrugarh constituency in the first phase of the Lok Sabha elections. Sonowal is contesting against Lurinjyoti Gogoi from AJP.
"A vote for peace, progress, prosperity and unabated growth. Cast my vote in Dibrugarh for the #LokSabhaElections2024 . The world's largest festival of democracy beckons. Did u cast ur vote?," Sonowal posted in 'X' shortly after voting.
Here is the voter turnout breakdown for the five constituencies in Assam -
Dibrugarh - 16.25 %
Jorhat - 18.30 %
Kaziranga - 14.20 %
Lakhimpur - 13.30 %
Sonitpur - 11.85 %
Congress candidate from Sonitpur constitunecy Premlal Ganju cast his vote.
"I had a very wonderful experience casting my vote today. I struggled a lot and reached this position. If voted to power, I will work efficiently for the people," he said after casting his vote.
Assam Education Minister Ranoj Pegu cast his vote at the No. 65 Dakshin Gogamukh Primary School in Dhemaji on Friday. Taking to platform 'X', he appealed people to exercise their franchise, adding that each vote is important.
Union Minister and BJP candidate from Dibrugarh Lok Sabha constituency, Sarbananda Sonowal urged people vote for the 'Lotus' symbol and help Narendra Modi become the Prime Minister for the third time.
Speaking to media persons on Friday, Sonowal said, "The weather is good today and it is a good beginning. I hope people will happily participate in this voting process. I request people to vote for the Lotus symbol and make our honorable leader Narendra Modi ji the Prime Minister for the third time."
"Congress should look at its condition, they are going to get less seats than before," he added.
Congress MP and candidate from Jorhat Lok Sabha constituency Gaurav Gogoi exercised his franchise.
Speaking to ANI before casting his franchise, Gogoi said, "It is an important day today and I appeal to everyone to come out of their houses and cast their valuable votes. This vote is to save the democracy and the culture of the country."
Voters in Jorhat Constituency said that they want a government for the development of the country. Speaking to PTI, a local voter in Jorhat said, "We want an efficient government for the country's development. On the basis of that we will have to vote."
Another female voter said, “Everyone should vote. We all should vote for a stable government. We (women) face many issues that should be taken care of."
BJP Candidate from Sonitpur Parliamentary Constituency Ranjit Dutta casts his vote.
Roselina Tirkey, Congress candidate from Kaziranga constituency casts her vote early this morning.
Voting for the first phase of Lok Sabha general elections began at 7 am across the five Lok Sabha constituencies namely Sonitpur, Lakhimpur, Jorhat, Kaziranga, and Dibrugarh in Assam. The polling will continue till 5 pm.
Assam Election Watch and the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) have reviewed the self-sworn affidavits of all 35 candidates running in the Phase-I Lok Sabha elections 2024 across 5 constituencies in Assam. Among the candidates scrutinized, 5 individuals (14%) have declared criminal cases against themselves.
Here are the criminal records of the candidates in the first phase of elections along with significant findings regarding financial standings, educational qualifications, age demographics, and gender representation among the contenders.
Read here.
The State Election Commission of Assam received 113 complaints related to Model Code of Conduct (MCC) violations, of which 108 were disposed of till 9 am on Thursday. Contraband items including liquor and narcotics along with cash seizures went up to Rs 168 crores, while a significant number of weapons including explosives were seized in the build-up to the Lok Sabha general elections in the state.
For the full piece, read here.
The total number of voters in the first phase of Lok Sabha elections in Assam is 86,47,869. Of these, 42,82,887 are male, 43,64,859 female, and 123 voters of the third gender, the Assam State Election Commission said on Thursday.
Out of the 10,001 polling stations to witness voting in the first phase, 92 have been identified as model polling stations. There are 11 polling stations being run by differently-abled persons in Assam, while 752 are being operated by women.
A whopping 40,004 polling-presiding officers have been deployed for the first phase of elections with 10,001 each of VVPATs, ballot units and control units in use for the first phase in Assam.
Out of the 35 candidates vying for votes in the first phase in Assam, 11 candidates are from Kaziranga, eight from Sonitpur, nine from Lakhimpur, three from Dibrugarh, and four from Jorhat Lok Sabha constituencies.
As the Sikkim Assembly Elections approach, 146 candidates gear up to contest for the 32 assembly seats in the state. With security a top priority, the Election Commission has implemented comprehensive measures to ensure a smooth polling process in the Himalayan region.
Among the candidates vying for seats are Sikkim Chief Minister and SKM leader Prem Singh Tamang, along with former CM and SDF chief Pawan Kumar Chamling, highlighting the significance of the electoral battle in the state.
Arunachal Pradesh is gearing up for its Assembly Election 2024, scheduled for April 19, 2024, to be held in a single phase.
The state assembly comprises 60 members, and currently, the Bharatiya Janata Party holds power, led by Chief Minister Pema Khandu.
However, Arunachal Pradesh is set to witness simultaneous assembly elections. With 10 candidates already declared victorious without contest, the ruling BJP in Arunachal Pradesh is poised for a battle against its allies rather than the opposition Congress in the upcoming polling on Friday, where elections will be held for the remaining 50 Assembly constituencies.
Seeking to secure a consecutive second term, the BJP has fielded candidates in all 50 seats, while the struggling Congress, once the dominant force until 2016, is contesting in only 19 seats. Initially nominating 34 candidates, the opposition party saw only 19 filing their nominations, with most of them being new entrants into the political fray.
Addressing a presser ahead of the first phase of polling, the Chief Electoral Officer in Assam, Anurag Goel gave an overview. Voting is set to begin from 7 am and conclude at 5 pm tomorrow, he said.
A total of 35 candidates will contest from five Lok Sabha constituencies in Assam - Kaziranga, Sonitpur, Lakhimpur, Dibrugarh and Jorhat - in the first phase of polling on Friday. The total number of voters in the first phase is 86,47,869. Of these, 42,82,887 are male, 43,64,859 female and 123 voters of the third gender, the Assam State Election Commission said on Thursday.
With nearly 97 crore voters, 10.5 lakh polling stations, and 1.5 crore election officials, the Lok Sabha general elections 2024 in India is the world’s largest election mobilization exercise of man and material.
Schedule: Voting will be held in seven phases across 543 Parliamentary Constituencies. Voters can check their poll date and polling station details on https://electoralsearch.eci.gov.in/
In Assam, the polling of votes will take place across 14 constituencies in three phases - April 19, April 26 and May 7.
Date of counting: The counting of votes and declaration of results will be on June 4, 2024.
Ease of voting: Special arrangements and facilities like water, shed, toilets, ramps, volunteers, wheelchairs, and electricity have been made to ensure that every voter, including elderly and persons with disabilities, can cast their vote with ease.
Catch all the action live with Pratidin Time here.