Lok Sabha Elections Phase 3 Highlights: Polling for the third stage of the seven-phase elections concluded at 6 pm, with with 61.08 per cent overall voter turnout. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge and several other leader and celebrities were among the voters who exercised their franchise during today’s electoral cycle.
A total of 94 Lok Sabha seats across 12 states and union territories voted. The campaigning for the third phase ended at a high-decibel note on Sunday as the political parties intensified their poll blitz. The National Democratic Alliance (NDA), led by Prime Minister Modi, is aiming for a stronger majority for a third consecutive term, while the opposition bloc, INDIA, hopes for a resurgence after setbacks in the 2014 and 2019 elections. While the INDIA bloc comprises political parties like the Congress, Trinamool Congress (TMC) and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), the NDA consists of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Janata Dal (United).
The states and UTs that voted in phase 3 include Assam (4 seats), Bihar (5), Chhattisgarh (7), Goa (2), Gujarat (26), Karnataka (14), Madhya Pradesh (8), Maharashtra (11), Uttar Pradesh (10), West Bengal (4), Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu. With this phase, polling will conclude in Gujarat, Karnataka and Goa. Among the prominent contestants were Amit Shah (Gandhinagar), Jyotiraditya Scindia (Guna) Pralhad Joshi (Dharwad), Supriya Sule (Baramati), Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury (Baharampur), Dimple Yadav (Mainpuri), Shripad Naik (North Goa), Badruddin Ajmal (Dhubri), Shivraj Singh Chouhan (Vidisha) and Digvijaya Singh (Rajgarh).
Lok Sabha Elections 2024 Phase 3 Voting Highlights: Voting took place across 94 seats. A total of 1,351 candidates were in the fray. Follow Financial Express for all the election-related latest updates.
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Voting on 94 seats across 12 states and Union Territories took place today during phase 3 of Lok Sabha elections. The overall voter turnout was recorded at 61.08 per cent. Here's the state-wise voter turnout data:
Assam - 75.09%
Bihar - 56.55%
Chhattisgarh - 66.99%
Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu - 65.23%
Goa - 74.27%
Gujarat - 56.65%
Karnataka - 67.46%
Madhya Pradesh - 63.03%
Maharashtra - 54.22%
Uttar Pradesh - 57.34%
West Bengal - 73.93%
Voting for the third phase of the Lok Sabha elections ended at 6 pm on Tuesday with the overall voter turnout recorded at 61.08 per cent, according to the Election Commission data.
Assam recorded the maximum voter turnout of 75.01 per cent, Maharashtra witnessed the lowest voter turnout of 54.09 per cent.
While the voting remained largely peaceful across 11 states and Union Territories with sporadic incidents of violence recorded in West Bengal.
Lok Sabha Elections 2024 Live : Voter turnout till 5 pm
Voting on 94 seats across 12 states and Union Territories is taking place today during phase 3 of Lok Sabha elections. The overall voter turnout was recorded at 60.19 per cent till 5 pm, with Assam in the lead at 74.86%.
Sonia Gandhi, Chairperson of the Congress Parliamentary Party, has highlighted pressing issues facing the nation. She pointed out rising unemployment, atrocities against women, and discrimination against marginalised communities.
"Today in every corner of the country, youth are facing unemployment, women are facing atrocities, Dalits, tribals, backward classes and minorities are facing terrible discrimination. This atmosphere is due to the intentions of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP. Their focus is only on gaining power at any cost. They have promoted hatred for political gain." she said.
"The Congress Party and I have always fought for the progress of all, justice to the deprived and to strengthen the country...The Congress and INDIA alliance is dedicated to protecting the Constitution and democracy. Vote for Congress for a bright future for all and together let us build a strong and united India..." she added.
In preparations for the upcoming elections, Delhi's Chief Electoral Officer, P. Krishnamurthy, announced significant logistical and security arrangements. With 13,637 polling stations established across 2,627 locations, authorities are set to establish four auxiliary polling stations in areas with high voter turnout, surpassing 1,800 individuals.
A robust workforce exceeding 1 lakh personnel has been deployed, encompassing various functional roles to ensure the smooth conduct of the electoral process. To enhance transparency, webcasting or live streaming will be implemented in 6,833 polling stations.
Furthermore, stringent security measures are in place with the deployment of 46 companies of the Central Armed Police Force (CAPF), 19,000 Home Guards, and 33,000 Delhi Police Personnel. These efforts reflect a comprehensive approach to facilitate fair, secure, and efficient elections across the capital city.
Voting on 94 seats across 12 states and Union Territories is taking place today during phase 3 of Lok Sabha elections. The overall voter turnout was recorded at 50.71 per cent. Here's the state-wise voter turnout data till 3 pm:
Assam - 63.08%
Bihar - 46.69%
Chhattisgarh - 58.19%
Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Daman and 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%
Amid voting for the third phase of the Lok Sabha elections, Assam Chief Minister and BJP leader Himanta Biswa Sarma said, "There has been no violence or any disturbance during polls in the state. I believe that BJP and its alliance partners will get a good result. People will vote for progress in this area. East India and northeastern states will play a historic role in this election. We will see a landslide win for the Prime Minister."
Union Minister and BJP candidate from Guna, Jyotiraditya Scindia on Tuesday said, "I have full faith in PM Narendra Modi's leadership which has taken the country to the global platform and the people of the country believe in PM Modi... Even the Election Commission wanted voter turnout to increase and we are working for that."
JKNC chief Farooq Abdullah on Tuesday said, "... Will all this hatred strengthen India? Are Hindu and Muslim different in any way?... We are responsible for this hatred. Politicians are responsible for giving rise to this hatred... We had acceded to Gandhi's India and not Modi's. We want to bring Gandhi's India back..."
"This election is crucial for the future of Dalits, Adivasis and backwards. Congress, INDIA alliance, Champai Soren and Hemant Soren - all of us are fighting these elections unitedly to save the Constitution. This is not an ordinary book, this is the Constitution - the voice of Adivasis, Dalits, backwards and poor," said Congress leader Rahul Gandhi while addressing a public rally in Singhbhum, Jharkhand.
West Bengal has recorded the highest voter turnout till 1 pm at 49.27 per cent even as reports of clashes at polling booths and a crude bomb blast surfaced.
Voting on 94 seats across 12 states and Union Territories is taking place today during phase 3 of Lok Sabha elections. The overall voter turnout was recorded at 39.92 per cent. Here's the state-wise voter turnout data till 1 pm:
Assam - 45.88%
Bihar - 36.69%
Chhattisgarh - 46.14%
Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu - 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%
Amid the voting for the third phase of the Lok Sabha elections, CPIM candidate Md Salim from the Murshidabad constituency on Tuesday filed a complaint with the Election Commission, alleging that TMC activists obstructed voters from accessing the booth in the Raninagar area. The earlier two phases have also been marred by reports of clashes and booth capturing in West Bengal.
Former Congress leader Acharya Pramod Krishnam cast his vote at a polling booth in Sambhal.
BJP's Parameshvar Lal Saini is contesting against Samajwadi Party's Zia Ur Rehman Barq at the Sambhal Lok Sabha Constituency.
After casting his vote, Krishnam said, "The world knows the activities Akhilesh Yadav and his party have been involved in. They think everyone is like them. I pray to God that Akhilesh's future is bright. But his uncle is trying to destroy him. He should fight with them, not me..."
On Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Ram Gopal Yadav's remarks regarding Ram temple, Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath said, "Be it Samajwadi Party or Congress, the character of both of them is anti-Hindu and anti-Ram. These are the same people who opened fire on Ram devotees and who deny the existence of Lord Ram. So to expect from them that they can respect the faith of India and respect the national heroes of India is meaningless. The statement of Ram Gopal Yadav shows the reality of the INDI alliance, Samajwadi Party and Congress. And this shows that these people are playing with the faith of India for vote bank..."
Voting on 94 seats across 12 states and Union Territories is taking place today during phase 3 of Lok Sabha elections. The overall voter turnout was recorded at 25.41 per cent. Here's the state-wise voter turnout data till 11 am:
Assam - 27.34%
Bihar - 24.41%
Chhattisgarh - 29.90%
Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu - 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%
While addressing a public rally in Khargone, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, "In Pakistan, terrorists are threatening to do Jihad against India. Congress is also asking certain people to Vote jihad against Modi. They are asking the people of a certain religion to vote against Modi. To what level has the Congress stooped? They are surrounded by hopelessness... Is vote jihad acceptable? Can this be allowed in a democracy?..."
Commenting on PM Modi's '100-day plan', Congress General Secretary in-charge Communications, Jairam Ramesh said, "He (PM Modi) will become an ex-PM on June 4. He will be ousted, he is not going to get the mandate. He knows it. This is all just a show-off. He makes tall claims...The truth is that he can sit back comfortably after June 4 because he will not be a PM anymore."
Former Bihar Chief Minister and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader, Lalu Prasad Yadav, said, "The votes are on our side... They are saying that there will be 'Jungle Raj' because they are scared, they are trying to instigate... They want to finish the Constitution and democracy... 'Are toh reservation toh milna chahiye Musalmano ko, pura' (Muslims should get a full reservation)..." (ANI)
After casting his vote in Saifai, Uttar Pradesh, Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav said, "...BJP is going to have a very bad defeat because farmers, youth, businessmen, people of every section are upset with them."
In Hubbali, Karnataka, Union Minister and BJP candidate from Dharwad, Pralhad Joshi spoke on the 'obscene videos' case involving JD(S) MP Prajwal Revanna who is currently absconding.
He said, "...It is a very serious case. We urge the state government because they have failed in detaining him. Even though the clipping came out well in advance, they waited for Gowda belt to vote and after they allowed him to go outside. Had they filed the FIR and informed the Central Government, we would have detained him. But they did not do it."
Joshi also said that the BJP will win "14 out of 14 seats (in the state)".
Voting on 94 seats across 12 states and Union Territories is taking place today during phase 3 of Lok Sabha elections. Here's the voter turnout till 9 am according to ECI data:
Assam - 10.12%
Bihar - 10.03%
Chhattisgarh - 13.24%
Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu - 10.13%
Goa - 12.70%
Gujarat - 9.87%
Karnataka - 9.45%
Madhya Pradesh - 14.43%
Maharashtra - 6.64%
Uttar Pradesh - 12.64%
West Bengal - 15.85%
After casting his vote in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, on Tuesday, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said, "Despite the scorching heat, the voting trends are very encouraging. As far as Gujarat is concerned, about 20 per cent of voting has been completed by the voters of Gujarat in just 2.5 hours."
"I have full confidence that the voters will elect a government that will provide stability, security, and prosperity and will make India free from poverty. Today, on the occasion of this festival of democracy, I convey my best wishes to all the countrymen and appeal to them to participate in this festival of democracy," he added.
NCP leader Sharad Pawar on Tuesday cast his vote at a polling booth in Baramati. NCP-SCP has fielded Supriya Sule from the Baramati seat. She is in a battle with NCP's Sunetra Pawar, wife of Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar from Baramati.
The first phase of polling took place on April 19, covering 102 seats across 21 states and Union territories. The second phase of elections was held in 88 seats across 13 states. The voter turnout was recorded at 60.96 per cent and nearly 61 per cent for phase 1 and 2 polling, respectively.