Lok Sabha elections 2024: Nearly 60% voting in Phase 1, West Bengal records highest voter turnout among states

Lok Sabha elections 2024: Ensuring the logistical aspect of the election process, authorities have deployed 41 helicopters, 84 special trains, and nearly 1 lakh vehicles to help in transportation of polling and security personnel across various constituencies.

Lok Sabha elections 2024 Phase 1 Voting Coverage Poll Percentage Updates AJR

Team Asianet Newsable

First Published Apr 19, 2024, 7:00 AM IST

Voting for the first phase of the Lok Sabha elections 2024 for 102 Parliamentary constituencies across the country has ended.. A staggering total of 16.63 crore voters were expected to exercise their vote, facilitated by 1.87 lakh polling stations set up to ensure a smooth electoral process.

The voter turnout till 6 pm was 59.71 per cent with the highest percentage in West Bengal at 77.57 per cent. The figure fell from the first phase of polling in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, when a voter turnout of 69.43 per cent was recorded.

In the Doda district of the Udhampur Lok Sabha constituency, 'pink booths' staffed entirely by women showcased the strength of 'Nari Shakti' (women power) amid extensive security measures. These specially designated booths saw a notable increase in female voter turnout, particularly among the Muslim community.

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Polling began at 7 am in the morning and is scheduled to continue throughout the day, allowing citizens to cast their votes and shape the future governance of the nation. The Election Commission of India (ECI) has organized the election process, ensuring every eligible voter has the opportunity to participate in this democratic exercise.

The election campaigning for Phase-I concluded on Wednesday, with the ECI setting different timings for the closure of campaigns in various regions. While campaigning ended at 3 pm in the North East, it extended until 6 pm in other areas, as per the guidelines issued by the Election Commission.

The Lok Sabha elections are being conducted in seven phases, with Phase-I initiating the electoral process on today (April 19). Counting of votes will be held on June 4.

This election consists of a diverse demographic, comprising 8.4 crore male voters, 8.23 crore female voters, and 11,371 third-gender electors. Notably, 35.67 lakh first-time voters are all set to cast their votes, alongside 3.51 crore young voters aged between 20 to 29 years.

Ensuring the logistical aspect of the election process, authorities have deployed 41 helicopters, 84 special trains, and nearly 1 lakh vehicles to help in transportation of polling and security personnel across various constituencies.

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Phase-I of the Lok Sabha elections are held in Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, West Bengal, and union territories like Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Jammu and Kashmir, Lakshadweep, and Puducherry participating in the electoral process.

Last Updated Apr 19, 2024, 6:31 PM IST