Lok Sabha Election 2024 Phase 1 Voting Highlights: Nearly 60 per cent polling was reported till 5 pm in the first phase of the Lok Sabha elections on Friday, the Election Commission said. Polling took place in 102 constituencies across 21 states and Union Territories. While voting began at 7 am simultaneously in all constituencies and continued till 6 pm in most of the seats.
This first phase election involves over 16.63 crore eligible voters, including 35.67 lakh first-time voters and 3.51 crore young voters aged 20-29 years. The counting of votes will commence on June 4, following the elections concluding on June 1. Polling is being conducted for all seats in Tamil Nadu (39), Uttarakhand (5), Arunachal Pradesh (2), Meghalaya (2), Andaman and Nicobar Islands (1), Mizoram (1), Nagaland (1), Puducherry (1), Sikkim (1), and Lakshadweep (1). Additionally, voting is underway for 12 seats in Rajasthan, eight in Uttar Pradesh, six in Madhya Pradesh, five each in Assam and Maharashtra, four in Bihar, three in West Bengal, two in Manipur, and one seat each in Tripura, Jammu and Kashmir, and Chhattisgarh. Simultaneously, assembly elections are being held in Arunachal Pradesh (60 seats) and Sikkim (32 seats). The Election Commission has deployed over 18 lakh polling personnel across 1.87 lakh polling stations.
Lok Sabha Election 2024 Phase 1 Voting Live Updates: Polling for the first phase is underway in 102 constituencies spread across 21 states and Union territories. Follow Financial Express Online for all live updates and latest coverage.
Congress leader and former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath showed confidence in his son’s candidature and said, “I have full faith in the people of Chhindwara. They are the witness of the work we have done…”
His son and Congress leader Nakul Nath is contesting from the Chhindwara Lok Sabha seat which has been a stronghold of Kamal Nath.
As the voting began for phase 1 of the Lok Sabha elections, Home Minister and senior BJP leader Amit Shah took to X and wrote, “It is an important day today, as the first phase of voting is taking place in the country. I appeal to all the voters who are voting in this phase to vote in large numbers because every vote of yours has the power to create a secure, developed, and self-reliant India. Your vote is not only meant to determine the fate of a Lok Sabha or a candidate but also to shape a bright future for India. My appeal is to choose a strong and decisive leadership that has shown the determination to free the country from corruption, nepotism, and appeasement while fulfilling its promises. Form a government that has not only accelerated development but also ensured infallible security along borders, provided health, housing, electricity, and gas facilities to every poor person, and preserved, promoted, and nurtured India’s culture and cultural symbols.”
It is an important day today, as the first phase of voting is taking place in the country. I appeal to all the voters who are voting in this phase to vote in large numbers because every vote of yours has the power to create a secure, developed, and self-reliant India. Your vote…
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) April 19, 2024
As he arrived at the polling booth, Meghalaya CM Conrad Sangma said, “…When I reached at around 6:30 am, there were around 200 people present at the polling station, which is a good message that people are participating in the voting process enthusiastically…A very good voter turnout can be seen in this election…”
As the voting began on Friday, BJP‘s South Chennai candidate Tamilisai Soundarajan arrived at a polling booth in Saligramam, Chennai to cast her vote.
#WATCH | Tamil Nadu: BJP's South Chennai candidate Tamilisai Soundarajan arrives at a polling booth in Saligramam, Chennai to cast her vote.#LokSabhaElections2024 pic.twitter.com/9PGQiaH23d
— ANI (@ANI) April 19, 2024
The voting kickstarted across all the 102 Lok Sabha constituencies on Friday morning amid adequate security measures.
In the high-stakes first phase — Tamil Nadu (39 seats) and Uttarakhand (5 seats) are two states where voting will be completed on Friday. The first phase also includes 12 seats in Rajasthan, 8 in Uttar Pradesh, 6 in Madhya Pradesh, 5 each in Assam and Maharashtra, 4 in Bihar, 3 in West Bengal, 2 each in Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya and 1 seat each in Chhattisgarh, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, Tripura, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Jammu and Kashmir, Lakshadweep and Puducherry.
Ahead of the voting for phase 1, Union Minister and BJP candidate from Alwar, Bhupender Yadav told ANI, “Today is phase 1 (of polling), this is the time to vote. I urge everyone to vote in large numbers. Voting in large numbers is essential for democracy…”
The stage is set for a high-decibel contest in the Lok Sabha elections 2024 with 102 seats across 21 states going to polls on Friday. The voting is all set to begin at 7 am.
In addition to the Lok Sabha elections, assembly elections will also be conducted in Arunachal Pradesh, with 60 seats, and Sikkim, with 32 seats. In the previous 2019 elections, the UPA emerged victorious in 45 out of the 102 seats contested, while the NDA secured 41 seats. However, six of these seats have undergone redrawn boundaries as part of the delimitation exercise.