New Delhi: The electoral battle for the Lok Sabha Elections 2024 has officially commenced today, April 19, marking the beginning of the first phase of a seven-phased electoral journey. A total of 102 constituencies across 21 states and union territories are witnessing the democratic process unfold as voters line up to cast their ballots.
The stakes are high in this initial phase, with the political fate of several Union Ministers and former Chief Ministers hanging in the balance. By the end of the day, the electoral process for 10 states and union territories will reach its conclusion.
In a concurrent electoral exercise, the states of Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim are also conducting polls for 92 assembly seats, adding another layer of decision-making for the voters.
This year’s elections are notable for their scale, with over 16.63 crore voters eligible to participate in the first phase alone. This includes approximately 8.4 crore male and 8.23 crore female voters, with a significant number of 35.67 lakh first-time voters. The youth vote is also substantial, with 3.51 crore voters aged between 20 to 29 years. To accommodate this vast electorate, 1.87 lakh polling booths have been established.
Among the prominent candidates in this phase are Union ministers Nitin Gadkari, Sarbananda Sonowal, and Bhupendra Yadav, alongside Congress’s Gaurav Gogoi, and DMK’s Kanimozhi. The Alwar constituency in Rajasthan is particularly noteworthy, where BJP leader and Union Minister Bhupender Yadav is contending against Congress MLA Lalit Yadav, making it one of the top contests to watch.
The Lok Sabha elections will span over seven phases to fill 543 seats, with the final results anticipated on June 4. The Election Commission has ensured that voters without a voter ID card can still exercise their franchise by presenting alternative photo identity documents.
