Lok Sabha Elections: Over 60% Voter Turnout Recorded Till 7 PM In Phase One

As per officials, a 28-year-old security personnel Lalrinpuia on election duty in Mizoram died due to cardiac arrest on Friday at 4:45 am.

Lalrinpuia, who was in the second Indian Reserve Battalion (IRBn), was found dead on Friday morning at Vangchhia polling station in Champhai district when other security personnel tried to wake him up, they said.

His body was sent to his native Kawlkulh village in Khawzawl district after an autopsy at Champhai district hospital, they said. (with PTI inputs) 

The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), on Friday, released its sixth list of candidates for the ongoing Lok Sabha elections and named 11 candidates in the same. The party fielded its MLC Bhimrao Ambedkar from Hardoi (SC) seat. 

The party changed its earlier candidate fielded from the high-profile Varanasi Lok Sabha seat, from where Prime Minister Narendra Modi is contesting, and has made Syed Neyaj Ali as its candidate. Earlier, the party had named Athar Jamal Lari as its candidate from the Varanasi Lok Sabha seat. (with PTI inputs) 

Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu, during phase one of the voting during the Lok Sabha elections on Friday, recorded the highest-ever voter turnout in the past two decades. 

As per the ECI, Coimbatore till 7 pm, saw a polling turnout at 71.7 per cent, as against 63.84 per cent in 2019. In 2009, Coimbatore stood at 70.81 per cent, with the least in the past 20 years being recorded in 2004 at 55.51 per cent. In 2014, the figure stood at 68.40 per cent.

As per the Election Commission of India (ECI), an aggregate 62.37 per cent voter turnout was recorded in phase one of the Lok Sabha polls on Friday. 

While the figures were issued after the conclusion of polls, the commission said people who were in the queue when voting ended at 6 pm were allowed to exercise their franchise.

"The voting percentage is likely to go upwards when reports from all polling stations are obtained as polling is scheduled till 6 pm in many constituencies. Final figures will be known on Saturday after the scrutiny of form 17A," the EC said.

Earlier, the ECI had stated that the country, on Friday, had witnessed 60.03 per cent of voter turnout till 7 pm. (with PTI inputs)

After the voting of the first phase of Lok Sabha elections ended on Friday evening, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to X and said, “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.”

India, as of 7 pm, recorded 60.03 per cent voter turnout as per the Election Commission of India. 

One-hundred-and-eighteen-year-old Dharamveer from Palwal became the oldest male voter in Haryana on Friday while 117-year-old Balbir Kaur of Sirsa became the oldest female voter as per Chief Electoral Officer Anurag Agarwal. 

Haryana has more than 1.99 crore voters who are eligible to cast their vote for the 10 Lok Sabha seats where the polls will be held in the sixth phase of the general elections on May 25.

"Dharamveer of Palwal district is the oldest voter in Haryana at 118 years. Similarly, Balbir Kaur of Sirsa district is 117 years old, Bhagwani of Sonipat district is 116 years old while Lakkhishek of Panipat district is 115 years old," Agarwal said, according to an official statement here. (with PTI inputs) 

Manipur recorded a turnout of over 68 per cent in the first phase of Lok Sabha polls on Friday despite incidents of firing, intimidation, destruction of EVMs at some polling booths and allegations of booth capturing were reported from the conflict-hit state. 

Both the BJP and the Congress accused each other of unleashing violence and breaching the election Model Code of Conduct (MCC). The state, which has been reeling under the conflict of ethnic violence since May last year has traditionally seen a very high voter turnout. In the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, the state recorded a turnout of 82 per cent. (with PTI inputs)

Around 2,500 voters, on Friday, crossed fencing on the India-Bangladesh border to cast their votes in Tripura on April 19. Tripura recorded 79.90 per cent voting in the first phase of the Lok Sabha elections till 7 pm. 

Union Home Minister Amit Shah, on Friday, said 'bumper voting' took place in the first phase of the Lok Sabha elections. He claimed that people were heard chanting 'Modi, Modi' after casting their votes.

Twelve parliamentary seats in Rajasthan were among the 102 that went to polls in the first phase of the seven-phase elections. Addressing an election rally when voting was underway in the seats, Shah said, "In the first phase, bumper voting is taking place across the country. Whoever goes in, comes out shouting 'Modi, Modi." 

The rally took place in Bhopalgarh in the Pali parliamentary constituency, which will go to polls in the second phase on April 26. (with PTI inputs)

Tripura witnessed the highest voter turnout with 79.90 per cent till 7 pm during the phase one Lok Sabha elections while Bihar saw the lowest turnout with 47.49 per cent.

An elderly voter in Uttarakhand's Haridwar on Friday threw an Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) on the ground, demanding voting take place through ballot paper, police said.

The EVM was a bit damaged but it was not replaced as it continued to function, they said.

Randhir, 70, was taken into custody after information was received about the incident at booth number 126 of the Jwalapur Inter College polling station, police said.

West Bengal recorded around 77.57% polling till 5 pm on Friday for the Lok Sabha Elections whereas Bihar witnessed 46. 32% polling. 

List of states with voter turnout (in per cent) till 5 pm on Friday 

Andaman Nicobar -- 56.87

Arunachal -- 63.27

Assam -- 70.77

Bihar -- 46. 32

Chhattisgarh -- 63.41

J&K -- 65.08

Lakshadweep -- 59.02

Madhya Pradesh-- 63.25

Maharashtra -- 54.85

Manipur -- 67.46

Meghalaya -- 69.91

Mizoram -- 52.62

Nagaland -- 55.75

Puducherry -- 72.84

Rajasthan -- 50.27

Sikkim -- 67.58

Tamil Nadu -- 62.02

Tripura -- 76.10

Uttar Pradesh -- 57.54

Uttarakhand -- 53.56

West Bengal -- 77.57

Nationalist Congress Party (SCP) filed complaints with ECI for the repeated violation of Provision VII of the Model Code of Conduct and Section 123 of the Representation of People’s Act by Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra Ajit Pawar, Mangesh Chavan and Chandrakant Patil.

There was a firing and clash by unidentified miscreants at a polling booth in Moirangkampu Sajeb Awang Leikai of Imphal during voting in Lok Sabha elections on Friday that left one civilian injured.

EVMs and VVPAT machines were sealed on Friday afternoon after voting in Manipur's East Imphal was concluded at 4 pm. 

Telangana BJP chief and party's candidate from Secunderabad Lok Sabha seat, G Kishan Reddy, on Friday, filed his nomination for Lok Sabha elections

People's Democratic Party (PDP) President and former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, on Friday, released her party's manifesto ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, on Friday, while addressing a public rally in Uttar Pradesh's Bulandshahr, said, "The voting in the first phase is underway and the reports coming in suggest that the BJP will be wiped out of Western UP. It seems like the BJP's first show is flop." 

AIMIM President and candidate from Hyderabad constituency, Asaduddin Owaisi filed his nomination for Lok Sabha elections on Friday. 

Chhagan Bhujbal of Ajit Pawar-led NCP, who was eyeing a ticket as Mahayuti candidate has withdrawn from the race for the Nashik seat on Friday. Bhujbal said, "The issue regarding Nashik seat has not been cleared yet. The MVA declared its candidates three weeks ago and started campaigning. The more time we take the more loss we will face. Therefore this deadlock had to be broken...I decided that I did not want to be part of this fight...I have decided that I will not be the candidate (from Nashik)..."

Former AIADMK leader VK Sasikala cast her vote in the Lok Sabha elections in Chennai on Friday afternoon. 

Tripura recorded 68.35% voter turnout till 3pm, the highest amongst the State/UTs voting in the first phase of Lok Sabha polls on Friday afternoon. 

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, on Friday, held a roadshow ahead of Lok Sabha Polls at Khammam in Telangana.  

Armed miscreants reportedly entered a polling booth at Khongman, Imphal East in Manipur on Friday and engaged in proxy voting. 

Former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister and BJP's Lok Sabha candidate from Vidisha Shivraj Singh Chouhan filed his nomination on Friday afternoon. 

An average voter turnout of 36.96 per cent was recorded in the first six hours of polling on Friday in eight western Uttar Pradesh constituencies where voting is underway in the first phase of the Lok Sabha election. The polling began at 7 am and according to the Election Commission (EC), till 1 pm, 42.32 per cent voting was reported in Saharanpur, 35.25 per cent in Moradabad, 37.92 per cent in Kairana, 32.28 per cent in Nagina, 38.51 per cent in Pilibhit, 36.08 per cent in Bijnor, 32.86 per cent in Rampur and 34.51 per cent in Muzaffarnagar.

A voter turnout of 45.12 per cent was recorded till 1pm in the five Lok Sabha seats in Assam where elections are underway, officials said on Friday. Jorhat recorded the highest turnout of 47.73 per cent, followed by Sonitpur with 45.25 per cent, Lakhimpur (44.33 pc) Kaziranga (44.32 pc) and Dibrugarh (44.02 pc). The polling, which began at 7 am, will continue till 5 pm. A total of 86,47,869 voters will decide the fate of 35 candidates in these five seats.

The Tripura West Lok Sabha constituency registered a voter turnout of 52.67 per cent till 1 pm on Friday amid allegations of irregularities. The opposition Congress and CPI(M) alleged that large-scale "rigging" happened in several places across the constituency, with the Election Commission saying that it received some complaints and was looking into those. In the by-election to the Ramnagar assembly seat, which was being held simultaneously, a turnout of 43.01 per cent was recorded till 1 pm.

Armed miscreants reportedly entered a polling booth in Khongman in Manipur's Imphal East. They engaged in proxy voting. More details are awaited.

Congress sitting MP and candidate from Sivaganga constituency, Karti P Chidambaram casts his vote at a polling booth in Sivaganga in Tamil Nadu. BJP has fielded Devanathan Yadav from this seat, AIADMK has fielded A. Xavierdas.

Jammu and Kashmir has recorded 43% voter turnout till 1 pm for Lok Sabha Elections.

"...In this election, the whole country is excited to make Narendra Modi the Prime Minister for the third time with 400 'paar'...Under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi, the country has gained glory in the entire world...The 10 years that the people of the country gave were spent in filling the holes made by the UPA government and these next 5 years to be the years of laying the foundation for building a Viksit Bharat...I appeal to people to vote and make the lotus blossom everywhere with a huge majority and make us successful in achieving the target of crossing 400 seats..."

Union Home Minister Amit Shah filed his nomination papers from the Gandhinagar Lok Sabha seat in Gujarat for the upcoming Lok Sabha Elections 2024.

An estimated 19 per cent of the total 8,92,694 voters exercised their franchise till 11 am on Friday in Arunachal Pradesh where polling is underway for two Lok Sabha seats and 50 assembly constituencies, officials said. The ruling BJP has already won 10 seats in the 60-member assembly unopposed.

An estimated 21.82 per cent of the total 3,15,148 voters in Andaman and Nicobar Islands have exercised their franchise till 11 am on Friday for the lone Lok Sabha in the union territory, an official said. Chief Electoral Officer, B S Jaglan said so far voting is going on peacefully. "So far the voting is going on peacefully as we can see that a large number of women and men voters turned out in their respective booths. There were some minor EVM glitches but it was addressed immediately. It did not hamper the poll process, the CEO told PTI.

“Delighted to see this enthusiasm of the voters of the country. We are getting reports from the field that even if rains are happening…, people are really turning out in large numbers. Women, youth, old age people… everyone is rushing towards the polling stations. It’s a delightful situation to see that people are dancing to the tune of democracy," said CEC Rajiv Kumar as voting is underway in first phase of Lok Sabha elections. 

Union Home Minister Amit Shah will be filing his nomination papers from Gandhinagar Lok Sabha seat shortly. 

BJP national president JP Nadda is holding a roadshow in Kerala's Wayanad. 

Over 21.2 per cent of the 4.64 lakh voters in 32 Assembly seats and in the lone Lok Sabha seat in Sikkim have exercised their franchise till 11 am on Friday, an official said. Voting for the 32 Assembly constituencies and the lone Lok sabha seat began at 7 am and will end at 5 pm.

An average voter turnout of 25.20 per cent was recorded in the first four hours of polling on Friday in eight parliamentary constituencies of western Uttar Pradesh where voting is underway in the first phase of the Lok Sabha election. Polling began at 7 am and according to the Election Commission, till 11 am, 29.84 per cent voting was reported in Saharanpur, 23.35 per cent in Moradabad, 25.89 per cent in Kairana, 26.89 per cent in Nagina, 26.94 per cent in Pilibhit, 25.50 per cent in Bijnor, 20.71 per cent in Rampur and 22.62 per cent in Muzaffarnagar.

Union minister Nitin Gadkari, who is the BJP candidate from the Nagpur Lok Sabha seat, on Friday cast his vote here after polling began in the first phase of the parliamentary elections. Gadkari, who is seeking his third term, arrived at the polling booth at Town Hall in the Mahal area with his wife, two sons and daughters-in-law. Speaking to reporters after casting his vote, the minister expressed confidence that he would win by a huge margin.

“I have voted for the country. We want India to be free from the shackles of educational, medical, cultural, economic and ideological slavery. I have voted for the development and prosperity of the country,” says Yoga Guru Ramdev after casting his vote.

BJP national president JP Nadda said, "Today is the first phase of voting for the Lok Sabha elections. My humble request to all of you is that you all should participate in this great festival... Your every vote is going to be against corruption, against 'parivarvad' and appeasement...We know that your every vote will strengthen the villages, empower women, give wings to the aspirations of the youth and contribute to the farmers moving forward with dignity... I also want to say that your vote will fulfil the resolve of a safe India, a prosperous India and a developed India and for this, it is necessary for all of you to vote and ensure your participation in this election."

Tamil Nadu minister and DMK leader Udhayanidhi Stalin along with his wife cast his vote at a polling booth in Chennai.

PM Narendra Modi is holding a public rally in UP's Amroha on Friday.

A jawan of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) deployed on poll duty in Chhattisgarh's Bijapur district was injured when a shell of Under Barrel Grenade Launcher (UBGL) accidentally exploded, a police official said. The injured jawan, belonging to CRPF's 196th battalion, was administered preliminary treatment and was being evacuated, he said.
 

“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,”
 Amit Shah tweeted.

NPP chief and Meghalaya CM Conrad K Sangma drove himself to the polling station, waited for 2.5 hours to cast his vote. Sangma reached Walbakgre polling station at 6.30 am with the hope to be amongst the early voters but had to wait for 2.5 hours plus to cast his vote. Speaking to media, he expressed his optimism on the turnout. He said that he has relieved his security, driver and team to enable them to cast their votes. He choose to drive from his residence to the polling station this morning. “Everyone from the team has been send to cast their votes. Few security from the district, who have already cast their votes are with me,” he said.

An estimated nine per cent of the total 8,92,694 voters cast their votes till 9 am on Friday in Arunachal Pradesh where polling for two Lok Sabha seats and 50 assembly constituencies is underway, officials said. The ruling BJP has already won ten seats in the 60-member assembly unopposed. In the Arunachal West parliamentary seat, eight candidates, including Union Earth Sciences Minister Kiren Rijiju and state Congress president Nabam Tuki, are in the fray.

Over 7.66 per cent of the 4.64 lakh voters in 32 Assembly seats and the lone Lok Sabha seat in Sikkim have exercised their franchise till 9 am on Friday, an official said. Voting for the 32 Assembly constituencies and the lone Lok sabha seat began at 7 am and will end at 5 pm. Polling is underway in 573 polling stations, out of which 88 are in urban and 485 in rural areas, Sikkim Chief Electoral Officer D Anandan said.

Rajasthan CM Bhajanlal Sharma exercised his franchise for the first phase of Lok Sabha Elections 2024, in Jaipur in Rajasthan.

The ECI released the voting percentage recorded in several states till 9am on Friday. At 13.62%, Tripura recorded highest polling percentage. 

As the first phase of the Lok Sabha polls began on Friday, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge urged voters to cast their ballots carefully and asserted that a new era of economic empowerment and equal opportunities beckons them. "The fight to protect our Constitution and Democracy begins today," he said in a post on 'X'.

Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev cast his vote for the first phase of Lok Sabha Elections 2024 in Tamil Nadu.

A newly-married couple voted for the general elections today, at a polling booth in Pauri Garhwal today.

Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami along with his mother and wife cast his vote for the first phase of Lok Sabha Elections 2024 at a polling station in Khatima. He said"...'Pehle matdaan phir jalpaan'...I appeal to everyone to participate in the festival of democracy. We get an opportunity to choose our government once in 5 years. We have to elect a government which increases the respect of our country in the world...We have to make sure that PM Modi becomes the Prime Minister for the third time..."

“I have voted today with my entire family. I want to appeal to every voter to cast vote as well as it’s our duty,” says Jyoti Amge, the world's shortest woman, after casting her vote in Nagpur, Maharashtra.

Deepa Balyan, a bride-to-be, voted for Lok Sabha elections, in Uttar Pradesh's Muzaffarnagar. 

"...We are seeing a lot of public participation this time, so I think the public is happy. PM Modi has worked to bring change in people's lives. People need employment and development, PM Modi has done everything...," said Union Minister and BJP candidate from Dibrugarh Lok Sabha constituency, Sarbananda Sonowal.

Tamil Nadu CM and DMK chief MK Stalin casts his vote for phase 1 of Lok Sabha elections. 

“This is the festival of democracy in which people cast their vote... Casting votes are required to save democracy and the Constitution...The kind of 'jumle' they (BJP) provide and messages they deliver to fool people...” On PM Modi's rally today, he further added, "...Election Commission should take the cognizance of the matter. I believe that this is not justified for free and fair elections." 

Jorhat Congress candidate Gaurav Gogoi cast his vote on April 19. After casting his vote, he said, “I want every citizens to fulfill this duty to save the democracy of this country.”

Rahul Gandhi, Akhilesh Yadav Urge Voters to Exercise Franchise as Polling Gets Underway

“An appeal to all voters to participate enthusiastically and consciously in the 18th Lok Sabha general election being held in the country with the resolution of 'vote first, then refreshment' from the first phase of voting today, so that a good government that provides employment, security, self-respect and a life full of self-esteem is formed in the country,” said Mayawati.

Former Tamil Nadu CM Edappadi K Palaniswami cast his vote for the first phase of Lok Sabha Elections 2024, in Salem.

Nakul Nath- Congress candidate from Chhindwara Lok Sabha seat and son of former Madhya Pradesh CM Kamal Nath says, "I have full faith in that people of Chhindwara that they will stand with the truth. We have worked for the people of Chhindwara for 44 years. I have full confidence that the people will bless us..."

Voting for two parliamentary seats in Meghalaya began at 7am on Friday under stringent security measures, Chief Electoral Officer BDR Tiwari said. Voters at numerous polling stations were seen queuing up as early as 6 am, underscoring their enthusiasm to participate in the electoral process, he said. The first five voters were rewarded with mementoes and first-time voters were also felicitated, encouraging them to exercise their franchise, he said. "There is enthusiasm and voting is picking up. Reports are coming in that there are long queues in several polling stations across the state," news agency PTI quoted Tiwari as saying.

As far as Pilibhit is concerned, it has been noticed that the schemes that PM Modi started during 10 years of his tenure have reached the people. The track record has been good here and there has been a change in people's lives. Considering that ‘Lotus’ will bloom with a huge majority of votes.
 

Lok Sabha Elections 2024: BJP candidate from Chennai South Lok Sabha seat, Tamilisai Soundararajan, cast her vote a polling booth in Chennai.

Voting for Tripura West Lok Sabha constituency and by-election in Ramnagar Assembly constituency began at 7 am on Friday amid tight security, a poll official said. Although nine candidates are in the fray in Tripura West Lok Sabha seat, the battle will be mainly between BJP candidate Biplab Kumar Deb and state Congress president Asish Kumar Saha, who is supported by the INDIA bloc. Altogether 14.61 lakh voters - 7.33 lakh men and 7.28 lakh women - are eligible to exercise their franchise.

Congress Leader P Chidambaram cast his vote at polling Booth in Sivaganga in Tamil Nadu.

As Phase 1 of Lok Sabha Elections kicked off today, PM Modi called on first time voters to vote in record numbers. In a post on X, he wrote, "The biggest celebration of democracy is starting from today! In the first phase of Lok Sabha elections, votes will be cast for 102 seats in 21 states and union territories. I urge the voters of all these seats to exercise their franchise and create a new voting record. I have a special appeal to my young friends who are going to vote for the first time to vote in large numbers. In democracy, every vote is precious and every voice is important!"

Voting commenced for the phase 1 polls amid tight security, on Friday.

Assam will go to polls in the first phase of Lok Sabha elections on April 19. Assam's 5 constituencies - Dibrugarh, Jorhat, Kaziranga, Lakhimpur and Sonitpur are going to polls today.

Polling preparations are underway at a polling booth under the South Chennai Parliamentary constituency in Saligramam area. All 39 Lok Sabha seats in Tamil Nadu are going to polls today, in the first phase of the 2024 general elections.

Almost 16.63 crore voters will to decide the fate of 1,625 candidates contesting the Lok Sabha elections with Phase 1 kickstarting on Friday.