During the third phase of the Lok Sabha election, there has been a significant upsurge in the voter turnout, notably in Bengal, which leads with a remarkable 32.82 per cent by 11 am, as per data from the Election Commission of India.
Goa is also experiencing a notable surge in voter participation, currently standing at 30.94 per cent. However, Maharashtra is trailing behind with only an 18.18 per cent turnout recorded by 11 am. The voting percentages for other states partaking in this phase of the Lok Sabha polls as of 11 am are as follows: Assam–27.34 per cent, Bihar–24.41 per cent, Chhattisgarh–29.90 per cent, Gujarat–24.35 per cent, Karnataka–24.48 per cent, Madhya Pradesh–30.21 per cent, and Uttar Pradesh–26.12 per cent.
The Union Territory Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu have also seen a voter turnout of 24.69 per cent by 11 am. Leaders from the ruling BJP and various other parties are urging voters to come out in substantial numbers and participate in this significant democratic event. Furthermore, in this phase, there are more than 1300 candidates, including approximately 120 women, vying for victory. A total of 17.24 crore voters are eligible to exercise their franchise in this phase at 1.85 lakh polling stations.
Earlier today, PM Modi cast his ballot at Nishan Higher Secondary School in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, for the third phase of the Lok Sabha elections. Upon arrival at the polling booth, the Prime Minister received a warm welcome from Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Notable figures contesting in today’s electoral battle include Union Home Minister Amit Shah, former Chief Ministers of Madhya Pradesh Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Digvijaya Singh, Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, Samajwadi Party leader Dimple Yadav, and NCP (SP) leader Supriya Sule, among others.
In the 2019 general election, the BJP secured victory in 72 out of the 93 seats contested today. Notably, there will be no voting for Jammu and Kashmir’s Anantnag-Rajouri Lok Sabha seat on Tuesday, as the Election Commission of India (ECI) has postponed polling to the sixth phase, scheduled for May 25. Initially, voting was slated to be held for 94 Lok Sabha seats in the third phase.
The Lok Sabha elections are being conducted over seven phases, spanning from April 19 to June 1, with the counting slated for June 4.