First Phase of Lok Sabha Elections Sees Over 60% Voter Turnout; Bengal Leads with 77%

As the first phase of the Lok Sabha elections kicked off on Friday, April 19, at 7 am, the Election Commission reported an aggregate voter turnout of 60.03% by 7 pm. This figure, subject to change, was disclosed by a spokesperson, noting that polling officially ended at 6 pm. However, voters in queues by then were allowed to cast their ballots. Voting took place in 102 constituencies across 21 states and Union Territories. In comparison, the voter turnout during the first phase of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections stood at 69.43%.

Key Figures and Updates:

West Bengal saw a remarkable 77% voter turnout.
Tripura registered an 80.17% voter turnout by 9 pm.
Bihar reported the lowest turnout at 47.49% by 7 pm.

ECI’s Observations:

Describing the turnout as “high” and the process as “largely peaceful,” the Election Commission noted significant voter participation.

States like Uttarakhand, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, and others, along with Union Territories like Puducherry and Andaman and Nicobar Islands, completed their voting in a single phase.

Notably, 56 villages in Bastar, Chhattisgarh, had polling booths within their premises for the first time.

In Andaman and Nicobar Islands, tribal communities turned out in large numbers to vote, with the Shompen tribe of Great Nicobar casting their votes for the first time.

Assam’s Voting:

Over 72% of 86.48 lakh electors exercised their franchise across five Lok Sabha constituencies in Assam.

Final Figures and Arunachal Pradesh Assembly Polls:

The Election Commission will release the final figures of the first phase voting on Saturday.
In Arunachal Pradesh, where polling for 50 assembly seats and two Lok Sabha seats was held, an estimated 65.79% turnout was recorded, with incidents of violence reported.

PM Modi’s Response:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed gratitude to the voters and hailed the “excellent” feedback received from the voting process in the first phase.

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.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 19, 2024

The second phase of the elections is scheduled for April 26, covering 89 seats across 13 states and Union Territories, with results expected on June 4.