In the final phase of the Lok Sabha Election 2024, the voter turnout reached over 11% within the first two hours. However, incidents of violence have been reported in certain areas of Bengal on this last day of polling.
Lok Sabha Election 2024 Live Updates: Phase with 57 Seats Across Eight States and UTs Includes Key Constituencies like Varanasi, Modi’s Stronghold
This phase of the Lok Sabha Election 2024 covers 57 seats across eight states and union territories, featuring several key constituencies. Notably, Varanasi, which has become Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s stronghold in the last two elections, will also be voting in this phase.
India General Elections 2024 Phase 7 Live: Voter Turnout Reaches 11.31% by 9 AM; Violence Reported in West Bengal
In the seventh and final phase of the Lok Sabha elections, 11.31% voter turnout was recorded by 9 AM across 57 parliamentary constituencies in eight states and Union Territories. Isolated incidents of violence were reported in several areas of West Bengal during the early hours of polling.
A clash between Trinamool Congress (TMC) and Indian Secular Front (ISF) supporters occurred in Bhangar, South 24 Parganas district, prompting police to use lathicharge to disperse the crowd. In the Kolkata Uttar constituency, BJP candidate Tapas Roy faced protests from TMC workers in Cossipore. The BJP also alleged that TMC workers and police officers threatened its polling agents in Sandeshkhali after visiting their homes last night. In Kultali, EVM and VVPAT machines were found in water following the vandalism of two polling stations (40 and 41), though the Election Commission clarified that these were reserve machines.
Recap of the 2019 Lok Sabha Elections:
In 2019, the opposition INDIA bloc parties won 19 of the 57 seats being contested in this phase, with a vote share of 37.52%. The ruling BJP-led NDA won 30 seats, securing 39.03% of the votes. The BJP alone claimed 25 constituencies, while the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and Congress won nine and eight seats respectively.
Polling Turnout in Previous Phases:
The voter turnout for the first six phases of the Lok Sabha elections, as released by the Election Commission of India, was:
- Phase 1: 66.14%
- Phase 2: 66.71%
- Phase 3: 65.68%
- Phase 4: 69.16%
- Phase 5: 62.20%
- Phase 6: 63.37%
Mandi Lok Sabha Elections Live Updates: BJP Candidate Kangana Ranaut Pledges Support to Film Industry
During a press conference, Kangana Ranaut, the BJP candidate for Himachal Pradesh’s Mandi Lok Sabha seat, expressed her plans to support the film industry if elected. She emphasized the need for significant changes, particularly concerning medical and pension-related requirements for artists. Ranaut highlighted the plight of veteran choreographer Saroj Khan, who faced financial difficulties in paying hospital bills, as an example of the struggles faced by industry professionals. “I empathize with these people,” she stated, underscoring her commitment to addressing these issues.
Lok Sabha Elections Phase 7 Live Updates: 904 Candidates in Fray, Including PM Modi from Varanasi
A total of 904 candidates are contesting in today’s elections. The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) has fielded the most candidates with 56, followed by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) with 51, and the Congress with 31. Punjab has the highest number of candidates in this phase with 328. Uttar Pradesh has 144 candidates for 13 seats, Bihar has 134 for 8 seats, and West Bengal has 124 for 9 seats.
Key constituencies in this phase include:
- Varanasi: Represented by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
- Diamond Harbour: Held by TMC general secretary and sitting MP Abhishek Banerjee.
- Bathinda: Represented by former Union Minister and SAD MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal.
- Patna Sahib: Constituency of former Union Minister and BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad.
- Mandi: Where Himachal Pradesh minister Vikramaditya Singh of the Congress is up against actor Kangana Ranaut, who is contesting on a BJP ticket
Punjab Lok Sabha Elections 2024 Live Updates | AAP leader Raghav Chadha among first to reach polling station
AAP leader Raghav Chadha was seen standing in line at a polling booth in Lakhnaur, Mohali, to cast his vote. He urged the people of Punjab to come out in large numbers to vote. “I encourage Punjabis to vote for a leader who will address their issues,” he told mediapersons near the booth.
Polling Begins for Punjab’s 13 Lok Sabha Seats, Including Chandigarh
Amid tight security arrangements, polling for Punjab’s 13 Lok Sabha seats, including Chandigarh, started at 7 AM and will continue until 6 PM.
In this election, INDIA bloc allies, the Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), are contesting separately. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) are also contesting independently for the first time since 1996.
Lok Sabha Elections 2024 Live Updates | Polling begins
Voters patiently await their turn to cast their ballots at a polling station in West Bengal. Following six phases of the Lok Sabha elections in the state, during which the primary focus of the top contenders, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and BJP, remained on each other, they have now turned their attention towards the CPI(M) for the seventh and final phase on June 1.
WATCH: Gidda Performance Encourages Voter Turnout in Mohali, Punjab
In a unique voter appeal, girls showcased a vibrant Gidda performance at a polling booth in Mohali, Punjab. Their energetic performance aimed to encourage eligible voters to exercise their democratic right. With all 13 Parliamentary constituencies of the state going to polls today, such creative initiatives seek to boost voter turnout and civic engagement.
Live Updates: Lok Sabha Elections 2024
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath exercised his franchise today in Gorakhpur.
Polling is set to occur in the following parliamentary constituencies across Uttar Pradesh: Maharajganj, Gorakhpur, Kushinagar, Deoria, Bansgaon (SC), Ghosi, Salempur, Ballia, Ghazipur, Chandauli, Varanasi, Mirzapur, and Robertsganj (SC), spanning 11 districts.
In addition to Prime Minister Modi, there are a total of 143 candidates contesting in these constituencies. Among them, 134 are male candidates, while 10 are female candidates.
Live Updates: Lok Sabha Elections 2024
Prime Minister Modi has urged citizens to vote in large numbers in the final phase of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. With 57 seats across 8 states and Union Territories up for polling, he emphasized the importance of voter turnout. In a morning post on X, he called upon voters, especially young and women voters, to exercise their franchise in record numbers. PM Modi aims to make democracy more vibrant and participative through active participation in the electoral process.
Live Updates: West Bengal Lok Sabha Elections
Veteran actor and BJP member Mithun Chakraborty has cast his vote at a polling booth in Belgachia. Following his voting, he stated, “…I am a BJP cadre, not a leader. I have done my duty…”
Live Updates: Odisha Lok Sabha Elections 2024
In the Odisha political landscape, the dynamics between the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have shifted from potential allies to bitter rivals.
The BJD, entrenched as the state’s regional party, has faced challenges from the BJP, leveraging the rise of V K Pandian, an influential figure close to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and a former bureaucrat turned politician, highlighting his Tamil origins.
Prime Minister Modi, in his initial rally in Odisha on May 6, set a confident tone by predicting a BJP Chief Minister’s oath-taking on June 10. In a spirited response, Pandian countered, asserting Patnaik’s return as Chief Minister, slated for June 9.
For the BJD, these elections carry significant weight, as securing a sixth consecutive term would see Patnaik surpassing Sikkim’s Pawan Kumar Chamling to become the longest-serving Chief Minister in India.
Meanwhile, the Congress has positioned itself as the “real Opposition,” spotlighting the BJD and BJP’s dalliances in coalition-building efforts.
Live Updates: West Bengal Lok Sabha Elections 2024
Reports indicate a disturbance in polling as EVM and VVPAT machines were allegedly thrown into water by a mob at booth number 40 and 41 in KultaLi, South 24 Parganas.
Live Updates: Himachal Pradesh Lok Sabha Election 2024
BJP candidate Kangana Ranaut, after casting her vote in Mandi, Himachal Pradesh, appealed to everyone to exercise their Constitutional rights and participate in the festival of democracy.
In the Mandi constituency, Ranaut is contesting against Himachal Pradesh minister Vikramaditya Singh of the Congress.