First phase voting for Lok Sabha elections begins
The Lok Sabha elections of 2024, heralded by the BJP as a pivotal moment toward 2047 and characterized by the Opposition as a crucial test for the preservation of democracy, commence today. In the inaugural phase of the seven-part process, voting will take place for 102 constituencies spanning 21 states and Union Territories.
In this initial phase, all seats in Tamil Nadu (39), Rajasthan (12), Uttar Pradesh (8), Madhya Pradesh (6), Uttarakhand (5), Arunachal Pradesh (2), Meghalaya (2), Andaman and Nicobar Islands (1), Mizoram (1), Nagaland (1), Puducherry (1), Sikkim (1), and Lakshadweep (1) will go to the polls. Additionally, there will be five seats each contested in Assam and Maharashtra, four in Bihar, three in West Bengal, two in Manipur, and one each in Tripura, Jammu and Kashmir, and Chhattisgarh.
Alongside the Lok Sabha elections, four states—Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh—will also elect new assemblies. Among these, Arunachal Pradesh (60 seats) and Sikkim (32) are holding their elections today.
Update after polling: Voters turned up in slightly lower numbers than the previous general elections, yet polling was mostly calm and nearly 4/5ths of the total number of voters cast their choices on the EVM.
2019 Turnout:
Alipurduar– 83.79%
Coochbehar–84.08%
Jalpaiguri– 86.51%
2024 Turnout:
Alipurduar– 77.84%
Coochbehar–81.46%
Jalpaiguri– 82.15%
