The first phase of the Lok Sabha elections for 2024 commenced today across 21 states and Union territories, witnessing a steady voter turnout. As of 9 am, the voter turnout stood at over 9.7%, with polling stations reporting active participation from voters.
By 10 am, voter enthusiasm surged further as over 15% turnout was recorded in states including Madhya Pradesh, Tripura, and West Bengal. Seats across Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, West Bengal, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Jammu and Kashmir, Lakshadweep, and Puducherry were open for polling today.
A total of more than 16.63 crore voters, comprising over 8 crore men and women each, are expected to cast their votes across nearly 2 lakh polling stations during the first phase of elections.
Union ministers such as Nitin Gadkari, Bhupendra Yadav, Kiren Rijiju, Jitendra Singh, Arjun Ram Meghwal, and Sarbananda Sonowal are among the prominent candidates contesting in this phase. Additionally, leaders like Gaurav Gogoi from Congress, Kanimozhi from DMK, and K Annamalai from BJP are also in the electoral fray.
While the BJP-led NDA seeks to strengthen its majority, the opposition INDIA bloc aims for a resurgence. The polling phase follows the 2019 elections, where UPA won 45 of the 102 seats at stake, while the NDA secured 41 seats.
The general elections, spanning seven phases, will determine the composition of the 18th Lok Sabha. Polling will take place from April 19 to June 1, with results slated for announcement on June 4.
In the context of the ongoing polls, measures such as webcasting have been implemented at polling stations to curb illegal activities like booth capturing and ensure transparency in the election process. Furthermore, political leaders are actively engaged in campaign activities across various states, rallying support for their respective parties and candidates.
Key campaign activities today include BJP President J.P. Nadda’s roadshows and public meeting in Kerala, Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s visit to Rajasthan, and Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge’s public meeting in Bihar’s Bahadurganj, among others.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to campaign in Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra today, addressing public meetings in Amroha, Damoh, and Wardha, respectively.
Additionally, prominent figures like Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma, Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi, and Jyoti Amge, the world’s shortest woman, have exercised their voting rights, emphasizing the significance of democratic participation in shaping the nation’s future.
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