New Delhi: Nearly 60 percent of eligible voters participated in the first phase of the Lok Sabha elections, which took place across 102 seats in 21 states and union territories. The voting process commenced at 7 am and continued until 6 pm. During this period, some sporadic incidents of violence were reported in West Bengal, while in Chhattisgarh, a CRPF jawan tragically lost his life due to the accidental explosion of a grenade launcher shell. Earlier, by 3 pm, 49.78 percent of the electorate had cast their votes. An Election Commission spokesperson clarified that the figures until 3 pm were based on estimates and that voting was proceeding peacefully and uninterruptedly.
State-wise Highlights:
West Bengal: 77.57% Voter Turnout
- Alongside the Lok Sabha elections, voters in West Bengal also participated in assembly elections. Notably, many first-time voters, including newlywed couples in wedding attire, disabled individuals, and elderly citizens on stretchers and wheelchairs, exercised their franchise. Despite minor defects in electronic voting machines (EVMs) reported at some booths in Tamil Nadu, Arunachal Pradesh, Andaman Nicobar Islands, and Assam, the voting process remained largely smooth. The state witnessed a high voter turnout of 77.57 percent by 5 pm. However, in six districts of eastern Nagaland, an indefinite bandh led by a consortium of tribal organizations demanding a separate state resulted in silence as people stayed indoors.
Tamil Nadu: 62.02% Voter Turnout
- In the Naxal-affected Bastar Lok Sabha seat of Chhattisgarh, more than 58.14 percent of voters cast their ballots by 3 pm. Tragically, a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) jawan lost his life when an improvised explosive device (IED) planted by Naxalites exploded in Bijapur district. Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu witnessed a voter turnout of 62.02 percent across all 39 Lok Sabha seats. Voting was briefly delayed due to a technical glitch in EVMs at a polling booth near Tambaram under the Sriperumbudur Lok Sabha constituency.
Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim: Active Participation
- In Arunachal Pradesh, 63.26 percent of the total 8,92,694 voters exercised their franchise. Simultaneously, voters in Sikkim actively participated in both Lok Sabha and assembly elections.
Andaman and Nicobar Islands: 56.87% Voter Turnout
- Technical glitches in EVMs caused delays in some polling stations in Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Nevertheless, by 5 pm, 56.87 percent of voters had cast their ballots for the lone Lok Sabha seat.
Assam: EVM Malfunctions and 70.77% Voter Turnout
- EVM malfunctions occurred at several polling stations in Assam, including Bihupuria, Hojai, Kaliabor, and Bokakhat. These issues were promptly resolved. The state recorded a voter turnout of 70.77 percent by 5 pm.
Bihar: 46.32% Voter Turnout Despite Rain
- Despite torrential rains in Jammu and Kashmir’s Udhampur parliamentary constituency, more than 43.11 percent of voters exercised their franchise. In Bihar, approximately 46.32 percent of the 75 lakh voters in the four Lok Sabha seats cast their votes by 3 pm.
Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, Maharashtra, and Madhya Pradesh: Active Participation
- Rajasthan witnessed a voter turnout of more than 50.27 percent across 12 Lok Sabha seats. In Uttarakhand, 53.56 percent of voters participated by 3 pm. Meanwhile, Maharashtra recorded 54.85 percent voting across five Lok Sabha seats, and Madhya Pradesh saw 63.25 percent voter participation in six constituencies.
Other States:
- Uttar Pradesh: 57.54 percent
- Mizoram: 52.62 percent
- Nagaland: 55.75 percent
- Puducherry: 72.84 percent
- Sikkim: 67.58 percent
The democratic process unfolded smoothly, with citizens exercising their right to vote despite challenges and disruptions.
