In the culmination of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, balloting commenced across all 57 constituencies spanning eight states and union territories as the clock struck 7 AM on Saturday.

These Lok Sabha constituencies are distributed among Bihar, Chandigarh, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Odisha, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal, with a total of 904 contenders in contention.

Despite the blistering heat, voting centers extended a hospitable welcome to voters, providing essential amenities such as ample shelter, potable water, access ramps, and sanitation facilities to facilitate a seamless voting experience.

A workforce of approximately 10.9 lakh polling personnel is deployed across 1.09 lakh polling booths, facilitating the exercise of franchise for 10.06 crore eligible voters. Among these, the male electorate comprises 5.24 crore individuals, while 4.82 crore and 3,674 electors identify as female and third gender, respectively.

This occasion signifies the climax of the world’s largest electoral endeavor, which commenced on April 19 and encompassed six preceding phases, encompassing 486 Lok Sabha constituencies. The tabulation of ballots is slated for June 4.

The duration of polling for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections spans a period of 44 days, ranking as the second-longest in history. In 1951-52, following India’s attainment of independence, the inaugural parliamentary elections endured for over four months.