Lok Sabha Polls Live: PM Modi Among High-Profile Candidates In Phase 7

During the seventh phase of Lok Sabha election polling, a violent altercation broke out between Trinamool Congress (TMC) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers in Meraganj, situated in West Bengal's South 24 Parganas district, on Saturday.

The clash occurred at booth numbers 40 and 41, leaving several individuals injured, according to police reports. This incident underscores the ongoing tensions between the two prominent political parties in the area during the crucial final phase of the elections.

In a significant protest, more than 400 villagers in Dumka district, Jharkhand, boycotted the voting process during the seventh and final phase of the Lok Sabha elections on Saturday. The boycott was in response to the construction of a coal dumping yard, as reported by an official.

At booth number 94 in Bagdubhi village, which falls under the Dumka Lok Sabha constituency, a total of 426 voters chose not to exercise their franchise. Dumka Circle Officer Amar Kumar informed PTI, "Out of 430 voters enrolled in the booth, only four electors have exercised their franchise till 3 pm."

The villagers have been actively protesting against the construction of the Railways' coal dumping yard. In an attempt to resolve the issue, Sub-divisional Officer Ajay Kumar held a meeting with the villagers and assured them that the matter would be raised with higher authorities. Despite this, the villagers remained firm in their decision not to vote.

Lakshman Soren, a representative of the village, expressed the community's stance to PTI, saying, "We made it clear that if the SDO gives us an assurance in writing to stop the construction of the yard, we will go to cast our votes. But, we were not given any such assurance."

The boycott highlights the villagers' strong opposition to the coal yard construction and their demand for a written assurance to halt the project.

A voter turnout of 58.34 per cent was recorded till 5 pm, as per the Elections Commission. The polling across 58 constituencies had started at 7 am today. West Bengal leads with 69.89 per cent, followed by Jharkhand with 67.95 per cent and Himachal Pradesh with 66.56 per cent. Bihar recorded low voter turnout with 48.86 per cent.

The INDIA alliance meet at Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge's residence in Delhi is underway. The meeting is being attended by Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, K. C. Venugopal, Priyanka Gandhi, Akhilesh Yadav, Ram Gopal Yadav, Sharad Pawar, Jitendra Awhad, Arvind Kejriwal, Bhagwant Mann, Sanjay Singh, Raghav Chadha, T. R. Baalu, Tejashwi Yadav, Sanjay Yadav, Champai Soren, Kalpana Soren, Farooq Abdullah, D. Raja, Sitaram Yechury, Anil Desai, Dipankar Bhattacharya, and Mukesh Sahani.

The latest voter turnout trends indicate that Jharkhand edged ahead of Himachal Pradesh with 60.14 per cent polling till 3 pm. The overall turnout was recorded at 49.68 per cent. Bihar continued to witness low voter turnout which stood at 42.95 per cent. Here's the full list:

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi arrived at the residence of party president Mallikarjun Kharge ahead of the INDIA alliance meet. Several leaders of alliance parties including National Conference leader Farooq Abdullah, NCP-SCP chief Sharad Pawar, Jharkhand CM Champai Soren and JMM General Secretary and Spokesperson Supriyo Bhattacharya reached at Kharge's residence. Meanwhile, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav landed in Delhi ahead of the meeting.

The father of singer deceased singer Sidhu Moosewala, Balkaur Singh cast his vote at a polling booth in Punjab during the seventh phase of polling on Saturday.

The 57 polling constituencies across eight states and union territories of India recorded an approximate turnout of 40.09 per cent with Himachal Pradesh leading at 48.63 per cent. On the other hand, Bihar recorded the least voter turnout of 35.65 per cent. Here are the latest numbers:

A stringer with ANI sustained severe injuries on his head in a stone pelting incident amid polling in West Bengal. Bunty Mukherjee was injured in the clash between BJP and TMC workers while covering the last phase of elections.

Popular Bollywood actor and youth icon for the Lok Sabha 2024 elections, Ayushmann Khurrana voted in Chandigarh today and urged voters to step out and exercise their franchise.

In a unique attempt to raise voter awareness, an Uttar Pradesh citizen has been arriving to vote on a horse in every election since 2012.

At a height of 15,256 feet above sea level, a polling booth in Tashigang village of Himachal Pradesh is witnessing polling in the seventh phase of the Lok Sabha elections. Here are glimpses from the station:

Monks from the Kolkata ISKCON temple exercised their franchise and cast their vote at a polling station in the city.

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu exercised his franchise at a polling booth in Hamirpur in the ongoing seventh phase of Lok Sabha polls on Saturday.

As of 11 am, the Election Commission of India (ECI) reports that the approximate voter turnout across eight states stands at 26.30%. Himachal Pradesh maintains its lead with 31.92%, while Odisha records the lowest polling at 22.64%.

Amid talks of the wealthiest candidates looking for a term in the Lok Sabha, here is a list of the poorest candidates in the fray. Bhanumati Das of Utkal Samaj contesting the Jagatsinghpur seat in Odisha is the poorest candidate with assets worth only Rs 1,500. She is followed by Rajiv Kumar Mehra and Balaram Mandal who have declared assets worth Rs 2,500 each. Mehra is the JSDP candidate in Punjab's Ludhiana, while Mandal is an independent candidate contesting from Jadavpur in West Bengal.

As polling commenced in the final and seventh phase for Bihar's eight Lok Sabha seats situated within Patna and Shahabad divisions, the Meteorological Department issued a heatwave alert for the constituencies of Karakat, Buxar, and Sasaram.

A Meteorological Department official warned that temperatures would range between 41 to 44 degrees Celsius with humidity levels exceeding 70 per cent, leading to oppressive heat conditions. The voting process for the constituencies of Patna Sahib, Pataliputra, Nalanda, Arrah, Buxar, Sasaram, Karakat, and Jehanabad began at 7 am on Saturday, with citizens lining up early in the morning to cast their votes and avoid the scorching afternoon temperatures.

At around 6:40 am on Saturday, reserve EVMs and papers belonging to the sector officer was looted by a local mob at the 129 Kultali AC under the Jaynagar constituency. A CU and BU each and two VVPAT machines were thrown in a pond, stated the CEO, West Bengal.

A police complaint was filed and necessary action has been initiated.

The approximate voter turnout trends in the initial phases of the polling are in and according to it, Himachal Pradesh saw the most turnout so far at 14.35 per cent. On the other hand, the lowest polling was observed in Odisha where only 7.69 per cent turnout was recorded till 9 am. Overall, the voter turnout stood at 11.31 per cent in the Phase 7.

BJP's candidate from Himachal Pradesh's Mandi seat, Kangana Ranaut voted in her constituency in the seventh phase. She is up against Congress' Vikramaditya Singh.

BJP candidate from the Jadavpur constituency in West Bengal, Anirban Ganguly voted at a polling station in his constituency.

Renowned Hindustani classical singer and Padma awardee Pandit Chhannulal Mishra said, "I urge everyone to cast their vote...This is for the entire country...There is a difference between the Kashi which was there before and the Kashi which is there now. This has transformed, it is all due to PM Modi...More should be done for music. Music is the heritage of our country, the identity of Banaras..."

AAP leader and Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann along with his wife Dr Gurpreet Kaur exercised their franchise at a polling station in the Sangrur constituency today.

Uttar Pradesh Congress chief and a candidate from the Varanasi seat, Ajay Rai cast his vote and said, "We are getting silent votes and those who were with other parties like BSP, Apna Dal are coming with us. That is why it seems that the public is in the mood for change. The businessmen, weavers in the city are unhappy. All the businesses were ruined due to GST...He (PM Modi) should have sat on the banks of Ganga ji and done meditation here..."

Notably, Rai is up against Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the Varanasi seat.

Ex-Bihar Chief Minister, former union minister and RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, wife Rabri Devi and daughter as well as party candidate from the Saran Lok Sabha seat, Rohini Acharya cast their vote at a polling station in Patna.

Today's polling, the final phase of the seven-part grand electoral process in India, is being held in 57 polling constituencies across eight states and union territories. Polling is being held at as many as 1,09,932 voting centres and there are a total of 904 candidates in contention in today's polls.

Out of all the candidates, only 95, that is, just around a meagre 10 per cent, are female. 450 of the candidates, that is, roughly 50 per cent of the candidates are either graduate or above.

Meanwhile, 299 canidates, that is around 33 per cent are crorepatis with their personal worth going in crores. Additionally, 199 candidates out of the 904 in the seventh phase have criminal cases against them, that is, around 22 per cent of the total candidates in the fray today.

Veteran actor Mithun Chakraborty cast his vote at a polling booth in Belgachia. Having cast his vote, Chakraborty said that he is a BJP cadre and did his duty.

PM Narendra Modi, who sat for a 48-hour meditation at the Vivekananda Rock Memorial in Kanyakumari, took to X to urge voters to show up in numbers.

"Today is the final phase of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. As 57 seats across 8 states and UTs go to the polls, calling upon the voters to turnout in large numbers and vote. I hope young and women voters exercise their franchise in record numbers. Together, let's make our democracy more vibrant and participative," he said in a post on X.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) national president Jagat Prakash Nadda cast his vote in Himachal Pradesh's Bilaspur in the seventh phase. Nadda called for voters to contribute in making India a capable, self-reliant and developed nation.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath cast his vote at a polling booth in Gorakhnath in Gorakhpur.

AAP leader and MP Raghav Chadha cast his vote in Punjab on Saturday in the seventh and last phase. He called for people to turn up in large numbers to exercise their right.

Ahead of the final phase of elections in Odisha, the BJP has accused certain Self Help Group (SHG) women members of distributing money at Mission Shakti Bhavan in Remuna block, Balasore district, on Friday evening. Acting on the allegation by BJP MLA candidate Govind Charan Das, a flying squad swiftly conducted a raid at the site and seized ₹1,18,000. During the raid, three women reportedly fled the scene.

Polls officially opened at 7 am and will close at 5 pm in most states, marking the commencement of the seventh and final phase of the Lok Sabha general elections.

With over one million polling stations set up across the country, the Election Commission of India has ensured that no home is more than 1.2 miles away from a polling station. This extensive network aims to facilitate easy access for the vast number of eligible voters.

The Election Commission of India’s website provides crucial information about the location of polling booths and poll timings. To be eligible to vote, individuals must be Indian citizens aged 18 or older and must be registered on the electoral roll.

Millions of Indian citizens residing abroad are eligible to vote. However, they must register and return to India to cast their ballots. Limited provisions for postal voting exist, mainly for members of the armed forces or government employees on election duties away from their home constituencies.

A total of 968 million voters are registered for this election, comprising 497 million men and 471 million women. This substantial electorate underscores the scale and importance of the democratic process in India.

In-person voters select their candidate by pressing a button on an electronic voting machine, a system designed to streamline the voting process and ensure accurate tabulation of votes.

As the day progresses, millions of voters across the nation will exercise their democratic right, contributing to the world’s largest electoral exercise.

As many as 57 parliamentary constituencies spread across eight states and union territories will go to polls on Saturday in the seventh and final phase of voting for the Lok Sabha elections 2024. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be among the major candidates in the fray in the last phase.

Polling will be held in Bihar, Chandigarh, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Odisha, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal. This will mark the end of voting for the world's largest election marathon that began on April 19. Polling for 486 Lok Sabha seats have been completed in the six previous phases

904 candidates from the eight states and UTs will contest elections in Phase 7. A total of 2,105 nominations were filed for 57 parliamentary constituencies across going for polls in the last phase for the Lok Sabha elections.

The biggest name in the fray in the last phase is undoubtedly Prime Minister Narendra Modi from Varanasi. Apart from him, there are other high-profile candidates who will be vying for votes tomorrow.

Prime Minister and senior BJP leader Narendra Modi will be contesting the Lok Sabha polls from Varanasi and will look to secure a third term from the seat. There will be six candidates against him including Uttar Pradesh Congress chief Ajay Rai.

Actress-turned-politician Kangana Ranaut will contest the Mandi Lok Sabha seat as a BJP candidate. She will compete against Vikramaditya Singh, the Congress candidate and royal scion of the former Rampur Bushahr princely state. Vikramaditya Singh is the son of Virbhadra Singh, who served as Himachal Pradesh's chief minister six times.

Sitting MP and Union Minister Anurag Thakur will contest the Hamirpur Lok Sabha seat, aiming to retain it. His main opponent in the election will be Satpal Raizada, the Congress candidate and close confidante of Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu.

Jailed Waris Punjab De leader Amritpal Singh will run as an independent candidate from Khadoor Sahib. The Aam Aadmi Party, Congress, BJP, and Akali Dal are also contesting this seat independently, without any alliances.

Polling in the sixth phase of General Elections 2024 which commenced across 58 PCs recorded an approximate voter turnout of 59.06 per cent as of 7:45 pm. In spite of hot weather in certain parts of the country, voters were undeterred in their enthusiasm as they were seen queuing up patiently to cast their votes across the country. A large number of voters were still in the queue at some polling stations at the prescribed time of closing of poll.

The approximate voter turnout figures of 59.06 per cent as of 7:45 PM will continue to be updated State/PC/AC wise on the Voter Turnout App of ECI. This will also give aggregate phase wise figures in addition to the State/PC/AC wise figures. Commission shall additionally for the convenience of stakeholders, issue another press note with voter turnout figures at ~ 2345 hours though live updates are available for stakeholders to directly check on the voter turnout App.

With the conclusion of phase 6, polling for General Elections 2024 is now completed in 28 States/UTs and 486 PCs. Polling is also complete in General Elections for State Legislative Assemblies of Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Andhra Pradesh and 105 Assembly seats of Odisha State Assembly.

Polling in Anantnag-Rajouri PC in Jammu and Kashmir was completely peaceful with a turnout of 52.28 per cent as at 7.45 pm, which is highest in many decades. With this, the polling to the Parliamentary seats in the UT of Jammu and Kashmir has concluded.

In the ongoing General Elections 2024, the three PCs in the valley namely Srinagar (38.49 per cent), Baramulla (59.1 per cent) and Anantnag-Rajouri (52.28 per cent as of 7:45 PM) have recorded voter turnouts which are highest in many decades.

Polling across all constituencies was held smoothly and peacefully. CEC Rajiv Kumar and ECs Gyanesh Kumar and Sukhbir Singh Sandhu also voted, along with their families in their respective polling stations. They kept a close watch on every aspect of the poll process and issued necessary directions, through the day. Stringent security measures were in place creating a conducive environment for voters to cast their vote without fear or intimidation.

More than 51% of the 18.36-lakh electorate in Jammu and Kashmir's Anantnag-Rajouri Lok Sabha constituency exercised their franchise till 5 pm on Saturday, breaking the poll percentage record of more than 28 years, officials said here.

At 5 pm, the voter turnout in the Anantnag-Rajouri Lok Sabha constituency was reported to be 51.35%, according to an official of the election department.

Officials noted that the Rajouri Assembly segment recorded the highest turnout of 67.09%, followed by Nowshera with a poll percentage of 65.47%.

However, the Anantnag, Anantnag West, and Kulgam Assembly segments were the only three areas where the voter turnout has so far been below 35%, they added.

A voter turnout of 55.93 per cent was recorded in Haryana till 5 pm in its 10 Lok Sabha seats and polling remained peaceful on Saturday, officials said. Polling ended at 6 pm but the turnout figure will increase as there were several people in queues waiting for their turn. According to EC data, Sirsa had the highest turnout till 5 pm pm at 59.57 per cent followed by Ambala at 58.44 per cent and 58.38 per cent in Kurukshetra. Gurugram registered the lowest turnout at 51.75 per cent. Bhiwani-Mahendragarh recorded a turnout of 56.11 per cent, Faridabad 53.64 per cent, Hisar 53.85 per cent, Karnal 55.71 per cent, Rohtak 58.28 per cent and Sonipat 55.49 per cent.

West Bengal witnessed a notable voter turnout of 77.99 percent by 5 pm in the eight Lok Sabha constituencies that underwent polling during the sixth phase on Saturday, as confirmed by an official.

Polling commenced at 7 am in the constituencies of Tamluk, Kanthi, Ghatal, Jhargram, Medinipur, Purulia, Bankura, and Bishnupur. The voting process was scheduled to continue until 6 pm.

Among these, Bishnupur (SC) recorded the highest voter participation at 81.47 percent, followed by Tamluk at 79.79 percent, Jhargram (ST) at 79.68 percent, Ghatal at 78.92 percent, Medinipur at 77.57 percent, Bankura at 76.79 percent, Kanthi at 75.66 percent, and Purulia at 74.09 percent.

Up until 4 pm, the election office in West Bengal had received a total of 1,985 complaints, the official further added.

By 5 pm on Saturday, 52.24 percent of the 1.49 crore eligible voters had cast their ballots in eight Lok Sabha constituencies, according to officials. The constituencies where elections are being held are predominantly rural, with only 1,281 out of 14,872 polling stations situated in urban areas.

Voter Turnout by Constituency:

• Vaishali: 56.11%

• Purvi Champaran: 55.78%

• Paschim Champaran: 55.22%

• Sheohar: 54.37%

• Valmiki Nagar: 54.09%

• Maharajganj: 49.15%

• Siwan: 47.49%

• Gopalganj: 46.77%

The overall voter turnout highlights active participation from rural constituencies, contributing to a significant turnout in the state.

The state recorded a 59.60 percent voter turnout by 5 pm on Saturday in the six Lok Sabha constituencies and 42 assembly segments, according to officials. Voting took place in Sambalpur, Keonjhar, Dhenkanal, Cuttack, Bhubaneswar, and Puri parliamentary constituencies.

Chief Electoral Officer N B Dhal reported that voting was largely peaceful across the 10,581 polling stations, with only a few reports of EVM glitches. Out of the over 94.48 lakh electorate, a significant portion had exercised their franchise by the close of polling.

Voter Turnout by Constituency:

• Sambalpur: 65.91%

• Keonjhar: 62.43%

• Puri: 61.17%

• Dhenkanal: 60.88%

• Cuttack: 54.36%

• Bhubaneswar: 53.54%

Among the 42 assembly segments, Pallahara Vidhan Sabha recorded the highest voter turnout at 73.86 percent, while Barabati Cuttack segment saw the lowest at 42.10 percent by 5 pm.

On Saturday, six individuals, including four women, sustained minor injuries in a clash between supporters of two candidates outside a polling station in the Mendhar sub-division of Poonch district. Officials reported that the incident occurred during the sixth phase of polling for the Anantnag-Rajouri parliamentary constituency.

Despite the altercation, voting at the polling station in the Shahpur sector continued without disruption. Police promptly intervened to separate the clashing groups, ensuring the polling process remained unaffected.

An FIR has been registered, and further investigation into the incident is ongoing, according to officials.

The office of the deputy commissioner, Poonch, issued a statement on X, clarifying the situation: "A minor scuffle took place outside the polling station causing very minor injuries to a few persons. The altercation was stopped in time and an FIR has been lodged in the matter. Polling did not get interrupted at any time and went on smoothly.”

Union Home Minister Amit Shah, addressing a rally in support of BJP candidate Anurag Thakur, criticized Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi for their absence at the Pran Pratishtha ceremony of Ram Lalla in Ayodhya. Shah claimed the Gandhis chose to vacation in Shimla instead, suggesting they avoided the ceremony due to concerns about their vote bank.

"Rahul Baba and his sister came to Shimla for holidays, but they did not go to the Pran Pratishtha of Ram Lalla. They did not go because they were afraid of their vote bank," Shah remarked during his speech. He contrasted this with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s dedication, noting, "In this election, on one side there is Rahul Baba who celebrates holidays every six months and on the other side there is Narendra Modi ji who eats sweets with army soldiers on the border without taking any leave even for Diwali for 23 years."

Shah expressed confidence in the BJP's performance, stating, "We are crossing 400 but Rahul Baba is once again falling below 40."

A voter turnout of 57.70 per cent was recorded till 5 pm, as per the Elections Commission. The polling across 58 constituencies had started at 7 am today. West Bengal leads with 77.99 per cent, followed by Jharkhand with 61.41 per cent and Odisha with 59.60 per cent. Uttar Pradesh recorded low voter turnout with 52.02 per cent.

Here's state-wise voter turnout:

Bihar: 52.24%

Jammu And Kashmir: 51.35%

Jharkhand: 61.41%

Haryana: 55.93%

NCT Of Delhi: 53.73%

Odisha: 59.60%

Uttar Pradesh: 52.02%

West Bengal: 77.99%

Union Minister and BJP candidate from Sambalpur Lok Sabha seat, Dharmendra Pradhan, exercised his franchise by casting his vote in Bhubaneswar, Odisha. Pradhan's participation in the electoral process underscores the significance of civic duty and active engagement in democracy.

Chief Justice of India, DY Chandrachud, exercised his voting rights in New Delhi during the ongoing elections. Following his vote, he remarked, "Today I fulfilled my duty as a citizen by casting my vote. I had earlier also said that this is a major responsibility of every citizen."

Chandrachud's participation underscores the importance of civic engagement and the responsibility of every citizen to exercise their right to vote.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, while in Bihar, stated, "The government has already been formed in the first five phases of elections… The sixth and seventh phases are just for seat margins… We (BJP) are quickly going towards the 400 mark."

Sarma's comments highlight his confidence in the BJP's performance in the ongoing elections and suggest that the outcome of the remaining phases may only impact seat margins rather than the formation of the government.

Voter Turnout:

• By 3 pm, the voter turnout in eight Lok Sabha constituencies of West Bengal reached 70.19 percent.

• The constituencies that went to polls include Tamluk, Kanthi, Ghatal, Jhargram, Medinipur, Purulia, Bankura, and Bishnupur.

• Voting commenced at 7 am and is scheduled to continue until 6 pm.

Turnout by Constituency:

• Bishnupur (SC) witnessed the highest voter turnout at 73.55 percent.

• Jhargram (ST) followed closely with a turnout of 72.26 percent.

• Tamluk, Kanthi, and Ghatal also saw impressive turnouts of 71.63 percent, 71.36 percent, and 71.34 percent, respectively.

• Medinipur, Bankura, and Purulia recorded relatively lower turnouts of 67.91 percent, 67.41 percent, and 66.06 percent, respectively.

Complaints Received:

• The election office in West Bengal received a total of 1,646 complaints by 1 pm, according to an official.

A voter turnout of 49.20 per cent was recorded till 3 pm, as per the Elections Commission. The polling across 58 constituencies had started at 7 am today. West Bengal leads with 70.19 per cent, followed by Jharkhand with 54.34 per cent and Odisha with 48.44 per cent. Uttar Pradesh recorded low voter turnout with 43.95 per cent.

Here's state-wise voter turnout:

Bihar: 45.21%

Jammu And Kashmir: 44.41%

Jharkhand: 54.34%

Haryana: 46.26%

NCT Of Delhi: 44.58%

Odisha: 48.44%

Uttar Pradesh: 43.95%

West Bengal: 70.19%

The Chief Electoral Officer of Maharashtra has responded to recent videos circulating that purportedly depict individuals attempting to undermine the integrity of the electoral process. Expressing concern over these incidents, the electoral officer assured the public that appropriate measures are being taken to address any attempts to disrupt or manipulate the polling process.

BJP leader Arvinder Singh Lovely has called upon the public to embrace the democratic process and participate actively in the elections. He expressed admiration for the widespread enthusiasm among voters, particularly citing their support for Prime Minister Modi. Lovely emphasized that people are casting their votes with the aim of fostering national development, confidently predicting Prime Minister Modi's reelection for a third term.

Furthermore, he highlighted the ideological disparities between the BJP and both Delhi and the Congress, asserting that each party maintains its distinct and conflicting manifesto, indicating a lack of common ground for collaboration.

AAP Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha has encouraged citizens to exercise their voting rights in the Delhi elections today. He emphasized the importance of voting for initiatives like improved education, healthcare facilities, and overall development to strengthen democracy. Chadha urged voters to turn out in large numbers, alongside their family and friends, to make their voices heard at the polling booths.

A voter turnout of 39.13 per cent was recorded till 1 pm, as per the Elections Commission. The polling across 58 constituencies had started at 7 am today. West Bengal leads with 54.80 per cent, followed by Jharkhand with 42.54 per cent and Uttar Pradesh with 37.23 per cent. NCT Of Delhi recorded low voter turnout with 34.37 per cent.

Here's state-wise voter turnout:

Bihar: 36.48%

Jammu And Kashmir: 35.22%

Jharkhand: 42.54%

Haryana: 36.48%

NCT Of Delhi: 34.37%

Odisha: 35.69%

Uttar Pradesh: 37.23%

West Bengal: 54.80%

Former BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma was seen leaving a polling station in Delhi after casting her vote for the Lok Sabha Elections 2024. Sharma's participation highlights the involvement of key political figures in the democratic process.

These updates reflect the ongoing electoral activities and the active engagement of political leaders and citizens in shaping the future of the nation.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, accompanied by his wife Sunita Kejriwal and other family members, exercised his voting right at a polling station in the Civil Lines area, falling under the Chandni Chowk Lok Sabha constituency.

A voter turnout of 25.76 per cent was recorded till 11 am, as per the Elections Commission. The polling across 58 constituencies had started at 7 am today. West Bengal leads with 36.88 per cent, followed by Jharkhand with 27.80 per cent and Uttar Pradesh with 27.06 per cent. Odisha recorded low voter turnout with 21.30 per cent.

Here's state-wise voter turnout:

Bihar: 23.67%

Jammu And Kashmir: 23.11%

Jharkhand: 27.80%

Haryana: 22.09%

NCT Of Delhi: 21.69%

Odisha: 21.30%

Uttar Pradesh: 27.06%

West Bengal: 36.88%

Union ministers S Jaishankar and Hardeep Singh Puri, along with Delhi Minister Atishi, outgoing East Delhi MP Gautam Gambhir, and various party candidates, exercised their voting rights early in the morning.

However, CPI(M) leader Brinda Karat, who had gone to cast her vote at St Thomas School in New Delhi, expressed her inability to vote due to a technical glitch. "The Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) battery was drained, preventing me from casting my vote. However, I will return later to fulfill my civic duty," she remarked.

Karat also raised concerns regarding the adequacy of arrangements made by the Election Commission.

A voter turnout of 10.82 per cent was recorded till 9 am, as per the Elections Commission. The polling across 58 constituencies had started at 7 am today. West Bengal leads with 16.54 per cent, followed by Uttar Pradesh with 12.33 per cent and Jharkhand with 11.74 per cent. Odisha recorded low voter turnout with 7.43 per cent.

Here's state-wise voter turnout:

Bihar: 9. 66%

Jammu And Kashmir: 8.89%

Jharkhand: 11.74%

Haryana: 8.31%

NCT Of Delhi: 8.94%

Odisha: 7.43%

Uttar Pradesh: 12.33%

West Bengal: 16.54%

President Droupadi Murmu casts her vote at a polling booth in Delhi.

Delhi minister & Aam Aadmi Party leader Atishi casts her vote at a polling booth in Delhi today.

BJP East Delhi MP and former India Cricketer Gautam Gambhir casts his vote at a polling station in Delhi. "All I want to say is that everyone should come out and vote in large numbers. This is our power, this is our democracy. The Govt has worked for development in the last 10 years...", news agency ANI quoted Gambhir as saying.

Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini and his wife Suman Saini casts their votes at a polling booth in his native village Mirzapur, Narayangarh. "I appeal to the people of Haryana to strengthen the democracy and they should come out and vote in large numbers...Haryana will give all 10 Lok Sabha seats one Assembly seat of Karnal to BJP and will strengthen PM Modi....", news agency ANI quoted Saini as saying.

External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar casts his vote at a polling booth in Delhi. "We have just cast our vote and I was the first male voter in this booth. We want people to come out and cast their votes as this is a decisive moment for the country...", news agency ANI quoted Jaishankar as saying.

There are a total of 5.84 crore male, 5.29 crore female and 5,120 third gender voters ready to cast their votes in the sixth phase. According to the Election Commission of India (ECI), around 11.4 lakh polling officials have been deployed at 1.14 lakh polling stations.

Of the total number of candidates contesting in the sixth phase, around 39 per cent are crorepatis with average assets of Rs 6.21 crore, poll rights body ADR highlighted.

Voting began for the sixth phase of polling in the ongoing Lok Sabha general elections in 58 constituencies across eight states on union territories at 7 am on Saturday.

Campaigning concluded on Thursday, May 23 for the penultimate phase of the general elections scheduled for May 25, with both the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the opposition INDIA bloc focusing on post-poll strategies.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, at a rally in Mahendragarh, Haryana, where all 10 seats will vote on May 25, criticized the INDIA bloc, claiming they were already arguing over potential prime ministerial candidates even before securing a victory. Modi used the metaphor of a fight over "ghee" before the cow had given milk to illustrate his point.

Conversely, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge assured that the INDIA bloc would prevent the BJP from retaining power and secure enough seats to form the next government.

Here's a look at the key battles taking shape in the sixth phase of Lok Sabha polls along with the prominent candidates contesting.

The sixth phase of the ongoing Lok Sabha elections is set to take place on Saturday, May 25 with over 11.13 crore eligible voters deciding the fate of 889 candidates from 58 constituencies across eight states and union territories.

Polling will be held in 14 seats of Uttar Pradesh, all 10 seats of Haryana, eight seats of Bihar and West Bengal, six seats in Odisha, four seats in Jharkhand and one seat in Jammu and Kashmir apart from the national capital.

Of the total number of candidates contesting in the sixth phase, around 39 per cent are crorepatis with average assets of Rs 6.21 crore, poll rights body ADR highlighted.

A voter turnout of 56.68 per cent was recorded till 5 pm, as per the Election Commission. West Bengal leads with 73 per cent voter turnout followed by Ladakh with 67.15 per cent and Jharkhand with 61.90 per cent.

Here's state-wise voter turnout:

Bihar: 52.35%

Jammu And Kashmir: 54.21%

Jharkhand: 61.90%

Ladakh: 67.15%

Maharashtra: 48.66%

Odisha: 60.55%

Uttar Pradesh: 55.80%

West Bengal: 73.00%

Actor Tiger Shroff cast his vote for the 5th phase of Lok Sabha Elections 2024. He said, "Voting is very important, so everyone is requested to go and vote.

Actor Aamir Khan, along with his ex-wife director Kiran Rao, stepped out to cast his vote in Mumbai. ""I want to appeal to all the Indians to come out and cast vote and be part of the big democracy. Everyone should vote," news agency PTI quoted Khan as saying.

Actor Ranbir Kapoor turned up at one of the polling booths to cast his vote in Mumbai, news agency PTI reported. In the second and final phase of polls in Maharashtra, the state is voting for 13 constituencies, including six in Mumbai.

Maharashtra's Deputy Chief Minister, Devendra Fadnavis, has expressed concerns about the sluggish pace of voting in Mumbai. Fadnavis, on Monday, appealed to the Election Commission to address complaints regarding the slow progress of voting, particularly in the context of the ongoing Lok Sabha elections. With 13 constituencies in Maharashtra casting their votes today since 7 am, Fadnavis urged EC officials to intervene and coordinate with the collectors of Mumbai City and Mumbai Suburban District to resolve the issue promptly.

A voter turnout of 47.53 per cent was recorded till 3 pm, as per the Elections Commission. The polling across 49 constituencies had started at 7 am today. West Bengal now leads with 62.72 per cent, followed by Ladakh with 61.26 per cent and Jharkhand with 53.90 per cent. Maharashtra continues to record low voter turnout with 38.77 per cent.

Here's state-wise voter turnout:

Bihar: 45.33%

Jammu And Kashmir: 44.90%

Jharkhand: 53.90%

Ladakh: 61.26%

Maharashtra: 38.77%

Odisha: 48.95%

Uttar Pradesh: 47.55%

West Bengal: 62.72%

As the polling progressed in West Bengal, the Election Commission received a staggering number of complaints exceeding 1000 by 1 pm. Political parties raised concerns ranging from malfunctioning Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) to reports of agents being obstructed from accessing polling booths and even instances of voter intimidation or prevention across various constituencies.

Notably, several complaints highlighted minor political clashes occurring in areas such as Bangaon, Hooghly, and Arambagh. The Election Commission continues to monitor the situation closely amidst heightened tensions during the polling process.

Tensions escalated in West Bengal's Barrackpore constituency as Trinamool Congress (TMC) workers displayed black flags to BJP candidate Arjun Singh. Singh, already embroiled in controversy, accused TMC candidate Partha Bhowmick of distributing money ahead of polling, prompting a complaint to the Election Commission. Singh warned of consequences if such incidents persisted, placing responsibility on the government for ensuring peaceful elections.

Actors Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone cast their votes at a polling booth in Bandra West, Mumbai.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi made a significant visit to a Hanuman temple in Rae Bareli on Monday, coinciding with the fifth phase of the Lok Sabha elections. Amidst his tour, he also took the opportunity to inspect various polling booths within the constituency, a region formerly represented by his mother and former Congress president, Sonia Gandhi.

Dr. G G Parikh, a 100-year-old freedom fighter, cast his vote in Mumbai today. Dr. Parikh, who participated in India's first general election in 1951-52, exercised his franchise for the 18th Lok Sabha. Election Commission officials provided the necessary assistance to ensure he could vote at the polling booth.

A voter turnout of 36.73 per cent was recorded till 1 pm, as per the Elections Commission. The polling across 49 constituencies had started at 7 am today. Ladakh UT leads with 52.02 per cent, followed by West Bengal with 48.41 and Jharkhand with 41.89 per cent. Maharashtra continues to record low voter turnout with 27.78 per cent.

Here's state-wise voter turnout:

Bihar: 34.62%

Jammu And Kashmir: 34.79%

Jharkhand: 41.89%

Ladakh: 52.02%

Maharashtra: 27.78%

Odisha: 35.31%

Uttar Pradesh: 39.55%

West Bengal: 48.41%

BJP Maharashtra leader Kirit Somaiya has accused Sanjay and Sunil Raut of engaging in corrupt practices. Meanwhile, Shiv Sena UBT leader Aadesh Bandekar reported that EVM machines in booth numbers 57 and 58 in Powai had stalled, preventing people from casting their votes. The Election Commission has since issued a statement confirming that the EVM machines have been replaced and voting has resumed smoothly.

Jammu and Kashmir People's Conference (JKPC) candidate Sajad Lone cast his vote in the Baramulla Lok Sabha constituency. The constituency is witnessing a contest among National Conference's Omar Abdullah, PDP's Mir Mohammad Fayaz, and JKPC's Sajad Lone.

Bollywood star Hrithik Roshan, along with his family, exercised their right to vote at a polling booth in Mumbai today.

Nearly 26.18 per cent voter turnout was recorded till 11 am in three Lok Sabha constituencies in Jharkhand, as per the Election Commission. Voting started at 7 am in Chatra, Hazaribag and Koderma Lok Sabha seats, marking the second phase of elections in the eastern state, and will continue till 5 pm.

Voting percentage

Koderma: 26.95 per cent
Chatra: 26.01 per cent 
Hazaribagh: 25.45 per cent

"I have cast my vote. All citizens of India should vote," says Actor Anil Kapoor after casting his vote.

A voter turnout of 23.66 per cent was recorded till 11 am, as per the Elections Commission. The polling across 49 constituencies had started at 7 am today.

Here's state-wise voter turnout:

Bihar: 21.11%

Jammu And Kashmir: 21.37%

Jharkhand: 26.18%

Ladakh: 27.87%

Maharashtra: 15.93%

Odisha: 21.07%

Uttar Pradesh: 27.76%

West Bengal: 32.70%

Actor Randeep Hooda cast his vote at a polling booth in Mumbai.

Raj Thackeray, his family members cast their votes.

Veteran actor Dharmendra cast his vote at a polling booth in Mumbai.

Actress and Member of Parliament Hema Malini, accompanied by her daughter and fellow actress Esha Deol, exercised their voting rights at a polling booth in Mumbai, Maharashtra.

Rajnath Singh is a BJP candidate from the Lucknow Lok Sabha seat.

In the ongoing polling in Jammu and Kashmir's Baramulla constituency, a voter turnout of 7.63% has been reported as of 9 AM. Citizens were observed queuing outside polling stations to cast their votes in various areas of the constituency, according to officials.

The Baramulla constituency spans across 18 assembly segments across three districts: Kupwara, Baramulla, and Bandipora. Additionally, it encompasses two segments of Budgam, which were incorporated based on recommendations from the delimitation commission two years ago, officials confirmed.

Odisha recorded a voter turnout of approximately 6.87% in the initial two hours of polling across five Lok Sabha constituencies and 35 Assembly segments. Officials confirmed that the voting process commenced smoothly without any significant disruptions.

Police authorities reported no untoward incidents at any polling booths. Chief Electoral Officer N B Dhal assured that voting was progressing peacefully across all 9,162 polling stations in the five Parliamentary Constituencies and 35 assembly segments under their jurisdiction. However, some isolated incidents of EVM glitches were reported.

The steady voter turnout indicates citizens' active participation in the democratic process, reflecting their commitment to exercising their franchise and shaping the future governance of Odisha.

Rahul Gandhi, in a Hindi post on X, emphasized the significance of voting for the prosperity and progress of India, stating, "Today marks the fifth phase of voting! The first four phases have demonstrated the public's determination to safeguard the Constitution and democracy, leading to the BJP's defeat."

Gandhi highlighted that the nation is weary of divisive politics and is now prioritizing its own issues. He outlined the diverse concerns driving voters, including job opportunities for youth, fair prices for farmers, economic empowerment and security for women, and equitable wages for laborers.

Asserting that the people are united in their quest for change, Gandhi urged citizens across the country, including Amethi and Rae Bareli, to participate in large numbers to secure their families' well-being, uphold their rights, and contribute to India's advancement.

As the fifth phase of polling commences, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is currently in Odisha, conducted a roadshow in Puri. The roadshow, held in collaboration with BJP's candidate from the Puri Lok Sabha seat, Sambit Patra, underscores the party's focus on the upcoming sixth phase of polling scheduled for May 25.

PM Modi's presence in Odisha signals the BJP's commitment to garnering support for its candidates in the region. The roadshow serves as a platform for engaging with voters and bolstering the party's electoral prospects in the forthcoming phases of the Lok Sabha elections.

BJP Member of Parliament and candidate from Hooghly, Locket Chatterjee, assured that despite isolated incidents of threats at a few places in her constituency, the overall situation remains peaceful. She affirmed that every eligible voter will have the opportunity to exercise their franchise.

"Everything is going on fine...There were instances of threatening at 2-3 places at a booth in Balagarh, Dhaniakhali. EVM machines are not working at a few locations but work is going on those," Ms. Chatterjee stated.

Chatterjee's remarks highlight the party's commitment to ensuring a smooth electoral process in Hooghly despite minor challenges encountered at select polling stations.

Polling booths across various parts of Mumbai experienced a robust turnout as citizens enthusiastically exercised their franchise in the early hours of voting. Notable personalities, including industrialist Anil Ambani and actor Akshay Kumar, were among the early voters who cast their ballots.

Joining them were Tata Sons Chairman N. Chandrasekaran, Reserve Bank of India Governor Shaktikanta Das, former Uttar Pradesh Governor Ram Naik, actor Janhvi Kapoor, actor-filmmaker Farhan Akhtar, actor Rajkummar Rao, filmmaker Zoya Akhtar and Marathi theatre actor Prashant Damle.

Voters queued up in large numbers at the polling booths well before 7 a.m., demonstrating their commitment to participate in the democratic process and elect representatives for the Lok Sabha constituencies in Mumbai.

The Election Commission has taken action following a complaint of molestation against a BSF personnel deployed for poll duty in the Uluberia Lok Sabha constituency of Howrah district. An official confirmed that the personnel has been removed from duty pending investigation.

The complaint was lodged by a woman at the Uluberia Police Station on Sunday evening. The Election Commission swiftly responded by removing the personnel from election duty.

"We have removed him from election duty. We are waiting for the police report. If found guilty, necessary action will be taken as per law," the poll panel official informed PTI.

The incident underscores the Election Commission's commitment to addressing complaints of misconduct and ensuring the integrity of the electoral process.

BJP Member of Parliament and candidate from the Amethi Lok Sabha seat, Smriti Irani, exercised her franchise by casting her vote. Speaking to the media after voting, Irani expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to vote in her village, Gauriganj, with the determination to contribute to the development of a prosperous India.

"Today it is my good fortune that I have cast my vote in my village Gauriganj with the resolve of a Viksit Bharat. I appeal to the people to cast their vote. It is our responsibility towards the future of our country," she stated.

Irani's call for voter participation highlights the significance of citizen engagement in shaping the democratic process and underscores the importance of each vote in determining the future course of the nation.

Bihar- 8.86%

Jammu and Kashmir- 7.63%

Jharkhand- 11.68%

Ladakh - 10.51%

Maharashtra- 6.33%

Odisha- 6.87%

Uttar Pradesh- 12.89%

West Bengal- 15.35%

Independent candidate Shantigiri Maharaj was observed putting a garland over the voting machine after casting his vote at a polling booth in the constituency. The act drew attention and symbolized Maharaj's reverence for the democratic process.

Maharaj's gesture underscores the significance of citizen participation in the electoral process, regardless of political affiliation. His action serves as a reminder of the democratic values upheld during the ongoing Lok Sabha elections.

Long queues of voters were observed at a polling booth in Ichgam, Budgam, as citizens patiently awaited their turn to cast their votes. The voting process is underway for the Baramulla Parliamentary constituency today, drawing significant participation from the electorate.

The constituency witnesses a competitive race among prominent candidates, including Omar Abdullah from the National Conference (NC), Mir Mohammad Fayaz from the People's Democratic Party (PDP), and Sajad Lone from the Jammu and Kashmir People's Conference (JKPC).

The enthusiastic turnout reflects the electorate's engagement in the democratic process and underscores the importance of their voices in shaping the future representation of the region in the Lok Sabha.

BJP Member of Parliament Brij Bhushan Singh expressed confidence in his son, Karan Bhushan Sharan Singh's candidacy for the Kaiserganj parliamentary seat. Singh conveyed that the local populace is content with Karan's nomination, citing his strong rapport with the youth of Gonda.

"Everyone is happy with his candidature. Karan Bhushan Singh is attached to the youth of Gonda. He is a National player so he is interested in sports as he is in other things," Brij Bhushan told the media.

Singh's remarks underline the support garnered by Karan Bhushan Sharan Singh and his potential to represent the constituency effectively.

Reserve Bank of India Governor Shaktikanta Das exercised his voting rights in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections. Speaking to the media after casting his vote, Das expressed pride in participating in the electoral process of a nation with a population of 1.4 billion.

"It's a very proud moment for every Indian. It's a moment of pride to participate in an election of 1.4 billion people. The process of voting today was very smooth, and I would like to congratulate the Election Commission of India and all the officials who have been working throughout the country. It's really a moment of pride for every Indian to vote in these elections. I appeal to every voter to come out and vote," Das stated.

Das's call for voter participation underscores the significance of citizen engagement in shaping the democratic future of the nation. His remarks highlight the smooth conduct of the electoral process and commend the efforts of election officials across the country.

Chirag Paswan, the chief of LJP (Ram Vilas) and candidate from the Hajipur Lok Sabha seat, shared his optimistic outlook on the day of voting, predicting a landslide victory for the NDA with over 400 seats. In contrast, he suggested that the INDI alliance, particularly the Congress, would face a significant setback.

Speaking to the media, Paswan reflected on his family's longstanding connection with the Hajipur constituency, noting his father's representation since 1977. He expressed hope for receiving the same level of support and affection from the people of Hajipur.

"Development and my father's name have been synonyms in Hajipur. I will make sure to work for the development of Hajipur," Paswan affirmed, underlining his commitment to advancing the region's prosperity and progress.

Paswan's assertions underscore the stakes involved in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections, with political leaders vying for electoral success while pledging to address the needs and aspirations of their constituents.

Union Minister and BJP candidate from the Mumbai North Lok Sabha seat, Piyush Goyal, exercised his franchise at a polling station in Mumbai. Speaking to the media, he emphasized the significance of the ongoing fifth phase of polling across Mumbai and the rest of the country.

"The fifth phase of polling is underway in Mumbai and the rest of the country. Just like PM Modi said everyone should take part in the festival of democracy...I believe that the people of Mumbai will come out in large numbers and exercise their right to vote," Goyal stated.

Goyal's call for active participation echoes the broader sentiment of promoting democratic engagement and voter turnout in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections.

Polling is currently underway in the Baramulla Lok Sabha constituency of Jammu and Kashmir, where 22 candidates, including former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, are vying for victory. Voters were observed lining up outside polling stations in various areas of the constituency to exercise their franchise.

The Baramulla Lok Sabha constituency encompasses 18 assembly segments across the districts of Kupwara, Baramulla, and Bandipora. Additionally, it includes two segments of Budgam, which were incorporated into the constituency following recommendations from the delimitation commission two years ago.

The election in Baramulla holds significant importance for the region, with voters determining the representative who will voice their concerns and aspirations on the national stage.

Renowned actor Farhan Akhtar and acclaimed director Zoya Akhtar exercised their democratic right by casting their votes at a polling station in Mumbai. Their participation in the electoral process coincides with the fifth phase of the ongoing Lok Sabha elections 2024, which commenced today across 49 parliamentary constituencies spread over six states and two Union Territories amid tight security and arrangements.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has made a fervent appeal to voters to participate in the fifth phase of the Lok Sabha elections, urging them to cast their ballots in record numbers. In a message posted on X, PM Modi specifically called upon women and young voters to actively engage in the democratic process.

"As 49 seats across 8 states and UTs go to the polls today in the 5th phase of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, I urge all those whose constituencies are polling today to vote in record numbers. I especially appeal to women and young voters to participate enthusiastically in this festival of democracy," the Prime Minister's post read.

PM Modi's call for a high voter turnout underscores the significance of citizen participation in shaping the democratic landscape of the nation, emphasizing the inclusive nature of the electoral process.

Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar exercised his right to vote at a polling booth in Mumbai during the ongoing Lok Sabha elections. Following his vote, Kumar expressed his desire for a developed and strong India, stating, "I want my India to be developed and strong. I voted keeping that in mind. India should vote for what they deem is right... I think voter turnout will be good."

Kumar's participation in the electoral process underscores the importance of citizen engagement in shaping the future of the nation. His message resonates with the broader theme of prioritizing development and national progress in the democratic discourse.

Former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister and BSP chief Mayawati exercised her democratic right by casting her vote at a polling station in Lucknow. After voting, she appealed to voters to come out in large numbers and participate in the electoral process.

Mayawati emphasized the importance of prioritizing development and the welfare of the people in political discourse. "I request all political parties to prioritize the issues of development and the welfare of the people. Whether it is the BJP or Congress, all the parties say that they are forming the government but everything will be clear when the results are announced," she stated.

Mayawati's participation in the voting process highlights the significance of Lucknow as a key constituency in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections and underscores the importance of citizen participation in shaping the democratic future of the nation.

Rae Bareli: Rahul Gandhi of the Congress is contesting from the Rae Bareli seat, a significant stronghold for the party.

Amethi: The battle in Amethi is intense as the Congress aims to reclaim the seat from Union Minister for Women and Child Development Smriti Irani. Congress loyalist KL Sharma is challenging Irani this time.

Lucknow: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is eyeing a fourth term from the Lucknow Lok Sabha seat. He is pitted against Ravidas Mehrotra, a sitting MLA from the Samajwadi Party representing Lucknow Central.

Kaiserganj: In Kaiserganj, BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh was denied a ticket due to sexual harassment charges, which he has denied. The BJP has fielded his son, Karan Bhushan, from the constituency instead.

Faizabad: Known for being home to the Ayodhya Ram Temple, Faizabad sees Lallu Singh seeking re-election on a BJP ticket. His main rival is Awadhesh Prasad of the Samajwadi Party.

These key constituencies are set to play a crucial role in the fifth phase of the seven-phase Lok Sabha elections, reflecting both intense political battles and significant electoral shifts.

Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is seeking a third consecutive term as the BJP candidate for the Lucknow Lok Sabha seat in the ongoing elections. His main opponent is Ravidas Mehrotra, a sitting MLA from the Samajwadi Party.

The contest in Lucknow is a significant one, with Rajnath Singh's bid for re-election highlighting the BJP's efforts to maintain its stronghold in the region. Meanwhile, Mehrotra's candidacy represents the Samajwadi Party's challenge to the incumbent's dominance.

Voters in Lucknow will cast their ballots today as part of the fifth phase of the seven-phase Lok Sabha elections.

On the eve of the fifth phase of the Lok Sabha elections, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath made a heartfelt appeal to citizens to participate in the voting process.

In a message posted on X (formerly known as Twitter), CM Adityanath urged voters to exercise their franchise, emphasizing the importance of their vote in building a strong and safe nation. "Respected fellow voters, tomorrow is the fifth phase of the Lok Sabha elections. I appeal to all of you to please vote. Your invaluable vote will become the foundation of a 'Strong-Safe India' and will realize the resolve of a 'Developed India'. Remember—first vote, then have refreshment!" he wrote.

Voting for 14 Lok Sabha seats in Uttar Pradesh is scheduled for today, with polls open from 7 am to 6 pm. This phase is a crucial part of the seven-phase Lok Sabha elections, with significant implications for the state's representation in the national parliament.

Voting for 14 Lok Sabha seats in Uttar Pradesh will take place today as part of the fifth round of the seven-phase Lok Sabha elections. The constituencies going to the polls include Mohanlalganj, Lucknow, Rae Bareli, Amethi, Jalaun, Jhansi, Hamirpur, Banda, Fatehpur, Barabanki, Kaushambi, Faizabad, Kaiserganj, and Gonda.

Uttar Pradesh, the state with the highest representation in the 543-member Lok Sabha, is unique alongside West Bengal and Bihar in holding polling across all phases of the election.

The polling started at 7 am and will continue until 6 pm, with those in line by the closing time still allowed to vote. According to the Election Commission of India (ECI), polling for 35 assembly constituencies of the Odisha legislative assembly is also taking place simultaneously today.

Over 8.95 crore voters, including 4.69 crore males, 4.26 crore females, and 5409 third-gender electors, will decide the fate of 695 candidates in this phase of voting.

The voting started at 7 am and will continue until 6 pm, with those in line by the closing time still allowed to vote.

According to the Election Commission of India (ECI), polling for 35 assembly constituencies of the Odisha legislative assembly will also take place simultaneously on Monday.

As per the ECI, over 8.95 crore voters, including 4.69 crore males, 4.26 crore females, and 5409 third-gender electors, will decide the fate of 695 candidates in the fifth phase of voting.

Voting for the fifth phase of the ongoing Lok Sabha elections 2024 began on Monday morning across 49 parliamentary constituencies spread over six states and two Union Territories (UTs) amid tight security and arrangements.

The candidate list includes high-profile names like Union Ministers Rajnath Singh, Smriti Irani, and Piyush Goyal. Former Congress President Rahul Gandhi is also among the candidates in the fifth phase.

Meanwhile, some of the key constituencies in the fifth phase of elections are Lucknow, Rae Bareli, Amethi, Fatehpur, Faizabad and Kaiserganj in Uttar Pradesh, Nashik, Palghar, Kalyan, Thane, Mumbai North and Mumbai South in Maharashtra, Bangaon, Barrackpore, Howrah and Hooghly in West Bengal, Muzaffarpur, Saran and Hajipur in Bihar, Sundargarh, Bolangir and Kandhamal in Odisha, Kodarma and Hazaribagh in Jharkhand and Baramulla in Jammu and Kashmir.

A total of 695 candidates will contest elections in the fifth phase of the Lok Sabha polls in 49 constituencies across eight states on May 20 (Friday). The fifth phase brings forth a roster of significant candidates vying for electoral victory. The eight States/UTs which go to polls tomorrow are Bihar, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal.

• Andhra Pradesh 69.44%

• Bihar 57.06%

• Jammu And Kashmir 38.00%

• Jharkhand 64.59%

• Madhya Pradesh 70.98%

• Maharashtra 59.40%

• Odisha 66.14%

• Telangana 62.73%

• Uttar Pradesh 58.05%

• West Bengal 77.01%

Madhavi Latha, the BJP Lok Sabha candidate from Hyderabad, staged a protest in front of a polling booth, demanding the opening of the gate. She alleged that there were individuals inside the polling booth at Jamal Colony, Riyasat Nagar, within the Santosh Nagar Police station limits, who were attempting to rig the election.

Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva expressed his lack of surprise at the inclusion of Rajya Sabha MPs ND Gupta and Sanjay Singh in AAP's list of star campaigners in Punjab. However, he raised concerns over the absence of Swati Maliwal's name from the list and suggested a possible link to the assault on her. Sachdeva criticized AAP, labeling their decision as insensitive.

• Andhra Pradesh 68.04%

• Bihar 54.14%

• Jammu And Kashmir 35.75%

• Jharkhand 63.14%

• Madhya Pradesh 68.01%

• Maharashtra 52.49%

• Odisha 62.96%

• Telangana 61.16%

• Uttar Pradesh 56.35%

• West Bengal 75.66%

• Andhra Pradesh 55.49%

• Bihar 45.23%

• Jammu And Kashmir 29.93%

• Jharkhand 56.42%

• Madhya Pradesh 59.63%

• Maharashtra 42.35%

• Odisha 52.91%

• Telangana 52.34%

• Uttar Pradesh 48.41%

• West Bengal 66.05%

"Voted against Hindu drohi party," said ex-IPS officer and the former director of CBI M Nageswara Rao after casting his vote. Earlier, he had stirred controversy after stating that BJP will not even secure a simple majority.

BJP's candidate from Hyderabad, Madhavi Latha was seen checking burqa-clad women and matching their voter IDs during a visit to a polling booth. In the video, Latha is observed asking Muslim women inside the booth to remove their Burkhas for identification purposes, as well as verifying their voter identity cards.

• Andhra Pradesh 40.26%

• Bihar 34.44%

• Jammu And Kashmir 23.57%

• Jharkhand 43.80%

• Madhya Pradesh 48.50%

• Maharashtra 30.85%

• Odisha 39.30%

• Telangana 40.38%

• Uttar Pradesh 39.68%

• West Bengal 51.87%

“These (Congress and INDIA alliance) people are so afraid that they see Pakistan’s atom bombs even in their dreams. Can such a government and leader run the country? They say ‘Pakistan ne chhudiyaan nahi pehni hai’. We say ‘pehna denge’,” sayid PM Modi while addressing a rally in Bihar's Muzaffarpur.

• Andhra Pradesh 23.10%

• Bihar 22.54%

• Jammu And Kashmir 14.94%

• Jharkhand 27.40%

• Madhya Pradesh 32.38%

• Maharashtra 17.51%

• Odisha 23.28%

• Telangana 24.31%

• Uttar Pradesh 27.12%

• West Bengal 32.78%

• Andhra Pradesh 9.05%

• Bihar 10.18%

• Jammu And Kashmir 5.07%

• Jharkhand 11.78%

• Madhya Pradesh 14.97%

• Maharashtra 6.45%

• Odisha 9.23%

• Telangana 9.51%

• Uttar Pradesh 11.67%

• West Bengal 15.24%

Voting in four Lok Sabha seats in Jharkhand began on Monday morning amid tight security measures, marking the first phase of elections in the eastern state, poll officials said.

Voting started at 7 am in Singhbhum, Lohardaga, Khunti and Palamu seats, and will continue till 5 pm.

Of these, Singhbum, Lohardaga and Khunti are ST-reserved and Palamu is reserved for Scheduled Castes.

In Maoist-affected Singhbhum, polling parties and material were air-dropped in 126 polling stations, they said.

Over 64.37 lakh electors, including 32.07 lakh women and 42 persons belonging to the third gender, are eligible to exercise their franchise.

In all, 45 candidates, including Union Minister Arjun Munda, are in the fray, with the highest number of 15 contestants in Lohardaga, followed by Singhbhum (14), Palamu (9), and Khunti (7).

To ensure transparency and security, 15,000 4D cameras have been installed across all constituencies for webcasting, Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) K Ravi Kumar said.

A total of 30,380 polling officials have been deployed across 7,595 booths, he added.

"Polling parties and materials were air dropped in remote areas of Maoist-hit Singhbhum,” West Singhbhum Deputy Commissioner-cum-District Election Officer Kuldeep Chaudhary said.

Singhbhum, which includes Saranda, Asia's densest Sal forest, is among the worst Maoist-affected areas in the country. BJP's Geeta Kora, who won the seat on a Congress ticket in 2019, faces competition from INDIA bloc's Joba Manjhi.

In Khunti, Union minister and BJP nominee Arjun Munda competes directly against INDIA bloc's Kalicharan Munda. The saffron party leader had secured a narrow victory in the seat in 2019.

Lohardaga might witness a triangular contest, with JMM's Bishunpur MLA Chamra Linda entering the fray as an Independent candidate, challenging BJP's Samir Oraon and INDIA bloc's Sukhdeo Bhagat. The Congress was allocated this seat under the JMM-led ruling alliance's seat-sharing agreement.

Palamu presents a direct contest between BJP's sitting MP Vishnu Dayal Ram and RJD's Mamta Bhuiyan as an INDIA bloc candidate.

In the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, BJP had secured 11 seats and its ally AJSU Party one, while Congress and JMM won one seat each.

The intense campaigning leading up to the first phase of polls witnessed heated exchanges between main rivals on issues such as corruption, reservation, Constitution, and electoral promises.

Voting commenced at 7 a.m. on Monday in 96 Lok Sabha constituencies across 10 states and one Union Territory, marking the fourth phase of the elections. The electoral landscape stretches from Jammu and Kashmir to Andhra Pradesh, and Maharashtra to West Bengal.

Simultaneously, elections are being held for the Assemblies of Andhra Pradesh (all 175 seats) and Odisha (28 seats out of 147). The voting includes constituencies in Uttar Pradesh (13 seats), Bihar (5), West Bengal (8), Maharashtra (11), Madhya Pradesh (8), and Jammu and Kashmir (1). Additionally, it begins in Andhra Pradesh (all 25 seats), Telangana (all 17), Odisha (4), and Jharkhand (4).

A total of 17.7 crore electors, comprising 8.97 crore male and 8.73 crore female voters, will visit 1.92 lakh polling stations to determine the fate of 1,717 candidates. While voting will continue until 6 p.m., it will conclude earlier in three Left-Wing Extremism-affected Assembly constituencies of Andhra Pradesh at 4 p.m. and in three others at 5 p.m.

Key candidates in this phase include Union Ministers Arjun Munda (Khunti-ST, Jharkhand), Nityanand Rai (Ujiarpur, Bihar), and Ajay Mishra Teni (Kheri, Uttar Pradesh), as well as Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury of the Congress, who is contesting against former cricketer Yusuf Pathan (Trinamool Congress) in West Bengal's Baharampur.

Notable battles also include Hyderabad, where there is a significant contest between the BJP's Madhavi Latha and sitting MP Asaduddin Owaisi of the AIMIM, and West Bengal's Krishnanagar, where expelled Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra faces the BJP's Amrita Roy. In Maharashtra's Beed, BJP's Pankaja Munde faces NCP-SP's candidate Bajrang Sonawane, while in Andhra Pradesh's Kadapa, state Congress chief Y.S. Sharmila is challenging cousin and sitting MP Avinash Reddy.

Weather conditions are not a significant concern for polling in this phase according to IMD forecasts. Poll authorities have ensured basic amenities such as drinking water, shade, toilets, ramps, volunteers, and wheelchairs to facilitate voting for all, including the elderly and persons with disabilities.

Voting has commenced for five Lok Sabha seats in Bihar, where the fate of 55 candidates, including two Union ministers, hangs in the balance. The polling started at 7 am in Begusarai, Ujiarpur, Samastipur, Munger, and Darbhanga and will continue until 6 pm, according to a senior official.

Approximately 95.85 lakh eligible voters are expected to cast their votes across 5,398 polling stations. Union Minister Giriraj Singh is contesting for re-election from Begusarai, with CPI's Awadhesh Rai as his primary opponent. Singh had previously defeated former JNU students' union president Kanhaiya Kumar in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls in the same constituency.

In Ujiarpur, Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai is aiming for a third consecutive term. Alok Mehta, a senior RJD leader and former state minister, is his main rival among the 13 candidates contesting in this constituency, which has the lowest number of voters at 17.48 lakh.

Samastipur, formerly known as Rosera, is witnessing a face-off between two debutants - Congress' Sunny Hazari and Shambhavi Choudhary of LJP (Ram Vilas), both offspring of senior JD(U) leaders and ministers in the Nitish Kumar cabinet. Sunny is the son of Maheshwar Hazari, who previously won the seat on a JD(U) ticket in 2009, while Shambhavi is the daughter of Ashok Choudhary, a minister in the Nitish Kumar cabinet.

Voting has commenced for the fourth phase of the Lok Sabha elections in Uttar Pradesh, encompassing 13 parliamentary constituencies. The spotlight is on the highly contested Kannauj seat, where Samajwadi Party President Akhilesh Yadav is seeking election. Union Minister of State for Home Ajay Mishra Teni is another notable candidate vying for election from Lakhimpur Kheri.

The constituencies where voting is taking place include Shahjahanpur, Lakhimpur Kheri, Dhaurhara, Sitapur, Hardoi, Misrikh, Unnao, Farrukhabad, Etawah (SC), Kannauj, Kanpur, Akbarpur, and Bahraich. Among these, Shahjahanpur, Hardoi, Misrikh, Etawah, and Bahraich are reserved seats. A total of 130 candidates are contesting in this phase, with the maximum number of contestants (15) from the Kannauj seat.

In this phase, the BJP has nominated 11 sitting MPs for reelection, while introducing new candidates Ramesh Awasthi and Anand Kumar in Kanpur and Bahraich (SC) respectively. The SP has fielded candidates in 11 Lok Sabha seats, while the Congress is contesting in Kanpur and Sitapur.

Several BJP candidates are aiming for consecutive terms, including Ajay Mishra Teni, Rekha Verma, Mukesh Rajput, and Devendra Singh Bhole, seeking their third term, and Rajesh Verma aiming for a fifth term from Sitapur. Ashok Kumar Rawat and Ram Shankar Katheria are eyeing their fourth term from Misrikh (SC) and Etawah (SC) respectively. Additionally, Jai Prakash from Hardoi (SC) and Sakshi Maharaj from Unnao are seeking their sixth term in the Lok Sabha.

In addition to the Lok Sabha elections, a bypoll in the Dadraul Assembly constituency in Shahjahanpur district is also scheduled for Monday. There are 10 candidates in the fray, including two women contestants, with a total of 3.73 lakh registered voters in the Assembly constituency.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed optimism on Monday morning, urging people to actively participate in the democratic process as polling commenced for the fourth phase of the Lok Sabha elections. Union Home Minister Amit Shah also encouraged voters, including those in Jammu and Kashmir, to turn out in record numbers at polling booths.

PM Modi took to X platform, stating, "In today's 4th Phase of the Lok Sabha elections, 96 seats across 10 States and UTs are going to the polls. I am sure people in these constituencies will vote in large numbers and the young voters as well as women voters will power this surge in voting. Come, let's all do our duty and strengthen our democracy!"

As per the latest data from the ECI, 63.13 per cent of polling was recorded across the 11 states and union territories in India where polling was conducted for the Lok Sabha elections in the third phase on Tuesday. Assam recorded the highest turnout among all the states at 76.68 per cent, followed closely by Goa where 74.52 per cent polling was recorded.

On the other hand, Uttar Pradesh remained bottom on the list after recording a paltry 57.34 per cent voter turnout till 10pm.

According to the latest approximation by the Election Commission of India, till 10pm Assam recorded 76.68 per cent voter turnout, the highest among all the states and union territories where polling was conducted for the third phase on Tuesday.

Dhubri stood out as the constituency where the most polling was witnessed at 81.93 per cent, followed by Barpeta at 78.22 per cent. Guwahati recorded the least of 70.10 per cent, while Kokrajhar witnessed a turnout of 74.24 per cent.

In a devastating road accident at Singra in Boko, a bike collided head-on with a traveller transporting Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) on Tuesday. The impact of the collision has left both bikers in critical condition.

The traveller, who was transporting EVMs from Nagarbera to Boko, was involved in the accident. The severity of the collision necessitated the urgent referral of both the injured to the Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) for advanced treatment. Both individuals hail from Boko Hahim.