The third phase of the Lok Sabha elections witnessed an approximate 10.81 percent turnout in the initial two hours of polling. With voting underway in 93 constituencies across 11 states and Union Territories, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah exercised their franchise early in the day. This phase features over 1,300 candidates, including approximately 120 women, vying for parliamentary seats.
Notable figures among the candidates include Union ministers Amit Shah (Gandhinagar), Jyotiraditya Scindia (Guna), Mansukh Mandaviya (Porbandar), Parshottam Rupala (Rajkot), Pralhad Joshi (Dharwad), and SP Singh Baghel (Agra). The constituencies up for polling today encompass 11 seats in Maharashtra, 10 in Uttar Pradesh, 14 of the 28 seats in Karnataka, 7 in Chhattisgarh, 5 in Bihar, 4 each in Assam and West Bengal, and 2 in Goa. Additionally, polling is underway in the Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu (2 seats) and 9 seats in Madhya Pradesh, including Betul where elections were deferred.
In a notable event, Goa Governor PS Sreedharan Pillai, accompanied by the First Lady Adv. Reetha Sreedharan, exercised his franchise in Dona Paula. Reflecting on the significance of Indian democracy, Governor Pillai emphasized the importance of citizen participation in the electoral process. He urged the people of Goa to seize the opportunity to shape the nation’s future through their votes.
Governor Pillai highlighted India’s historical significance as a global leader in trade and stressed the country’s progress towards reclaiming its position on the world stage. Encouraging voter turnout, he underscored the pivotal role of every citizen in shaping India’s destiny and called upon the electorate to exercise their democratic right responsibly.
As voting continues, incidents of clashes have been reported in Bengal, emphasizing the need for peaceful conduct during the electoral process. With polling stations open across various regions, citizens are urged to participate actively in shaping the democratic process and contributing to the nation’s progress.
