May 7th 2024.
On Tuesday, a significant 62 per cent of eligible voters turned up to cast their ballots in the third phase of the Lok Sabha elections. This phase covered 93 constituencies spread across 11 states and Union Territories, with incidents of violence reported in West Bengal.
Assam saw the highest turnout at 75.53 per cent, followed by Goa at 74.47 per cent and West Bengal at 73.93 per cent. On the other hand, Maharashtra recorded the lowest turnout at 55.54 per cent, with Bihar and Gujarat slightly better at 56.55 per cent and 56.98 per cent respectively, according to the Election Commission's figures at 9 pm.
Overall, the voting percentage for this phase was around 61.89 per cent. However, according to the EC, these numbers are approximate and are expected to rise as data is still being collected. The official closing time for voting was 6 pm, but voters who were in line before the designated time were allowed to cast their votes even after 6 pm.
In addition to the above-mentioned states and UTs, other regions also saw a significant turnout. Uttar Pradesh recorded 57.34 per cent, Chhattisgarh 67.64 per cent, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu 65.23 per cent, Karnataka 68.85 per cent, and Madhya Pradesh 64.02 per cent, according to the EC.
Overall, 17.24 crore people, including 8.39 crore females, were eligible to vote in this phase. The voting took place across 1.85 lakh polling stations, with 18.5 lakh officials overseeing the process. With this phase, the voting has been completed in 282 out of 543 seats.
The first and second phases recorded a voting percentage of 66.14 per cent and 66.71 per cent respectively. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah were among the prominent figures who exercised their franchise in Gujarat, where elections were held in 25 seats. PM Modi voted in Gandhinagar, while Shah voted in Ahmedabad.
Shah is one of the major candidates in this phase, along with Union ministers Jyotiraditya Scindia, Mansukh Mandaviya, Parshottam Rupala, Pralhad Joshi, and SP Singh Baghel. This phase is crucial for the BJP, as they had won a significant majority of these seats, including all in Gujarat, Karnataka, and Madhya Pradesh, in the last election.
Both the BJP and the INDIA bloc claimed to have the upper hand after this phase. "Voters from all walks of life have shown their trust in the NDA and our development agenda across all states and UTs. The INDI Alliance has lost even more momentum due to their regressive economics and outdated votebank politics," PM Modi said in a statement.
On the other hand, the Congress claimed that the BJP's strength has been halved in the south after the three phases. "It is evident that for the BJP, the situation is 'Saaf in the South, and Half in the North'," Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh stated.
In Uttar Pradesh, where several members of Samajwadi Party patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav's family are contesting, party chief Akhilesh Yadav accused BJP workers of attempting to disrupt the polling in Mainpuri. He also claimed that opposition party members were being detained in police stations. Yadav himself cast his vote in Saifai, where his wife and sitting MP Dimple Yadav is a candidate.
There were sporadic incidents of violence reported in West Bengal, where four constituencies went to polls. TMC, BJP, and Congress-CPI workers clashed in various parts of Murshidabad and Jangipur seats. According to state election officials, Murshidabad recorded the highest voter turnout at 76.49 per cent, followed by Maldaha Dakshin, Maldaha Uttar, and Jangipur.
The TMC, BJP, and the Congress-CPI alliance all filed separate complaints related to poll violence, voter intimidation, and assaults on poll agents. By 9 am, the EC had received 182 complaints, most of which were from Murshidabad and Jangipur constituencies.
In Murshidabad, Left-Congress candidate Mohammed Salim claimed to have caught a "fake booth agent" in the Rabinagar area. He also faced "go back" slogans as he tried to enter a booth in the constituency. "The TMC has unleashed a reign of terror in the entire constituency. The Election Commission must take strict action," Salim stated.
In the Karimpur area, there were clashes between TMC and CPI supporters outside some booths. Similar clashes were reported between TMC and Congress activists in the Domkol area. In Jangipur, BJP candidate Dhanajoy Ghosh faced protests by TMC cadres as he tried to enter some booths. A scuffle broke out between Ghosh and TMC block president Goutam Ghosh, with both parties accusing each other of intimidating voters.
In the Englishbazar area of Maldaha Dakshin, the BJP accused the TMC of beating up their booth agents. Similar complaints were lodged by the Congress against the ruling party in the Ratua area of Malda.
On Tuesday, the third phase of Lok Sabha elections took place across 93 constituencies spread over 11 states and Union Territories. The overall voter turnout for this phase was recorded at 61.89%, with Assam having the highest turnout of 75.53%, followed by Goa at 74.47% and West Bengal at 73.93%. However, some incidents of violence were reported in West Bengal, causing concern for the safety and fairness of the elections.
According to the Election Commission, the figures reported at 9 pm were an "approximate trend" and are likely to increase as more data is collected. Despite the official voting time being 6 pm, voters who were in line before the polls closed were still able to cast their votes. As per the data, Uttar Pradesh recorded a voter turnout of 57.34%, Chhattisgarh 67.64%, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu 65.23%, Karnataka 68.85%, and Madhya Pradesh 64.02%.
Out of the total of 543 seats, this phase marks the completion of voting in 282 seats. The voter turnout for the first and second phases was recorded at 66.14% and 66.71% respectively. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah were among the prominent leaders who exercised their franchise in Gujarat, where elections were held for 25 seats. PM Modi voted in Gandhinagar, while Shah voted in Ahmedabad.
The BJP has a lot at stake in this phase, as they had previously won a majority of these seats in Gujarat, Karnataka, and Madhya Pradesh. However, the INDIA bloc and Congress claimed that they have the upper hand after this phase. PM Modi stated, "Across all the states and UTs, voters from all walks of life have placed their faith in the NDA and our development agenda. INDI Alliance is losing even more steam, thanks to their regressive economics and outdated votebank politics."
Meanwhile, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh claimed that the BJP is struggling in the southern states and their strength has been reduced by half after the three phases. He said, "It's very clear that for the BJP, it is 'South mein Saaf, North mein Half'." In Uttar Pradesh, where several members of Samajwadi Party patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav's family are contesting, party chief Akhilesh Yadav alleged that BJP workers were trying to "loot booths" in Mainpuri and opposition party members were being detained in police stations.
There were also reports of violence in West Bengal, where clashes between TMC, BJP, and Congress-CPI workers were reported in Murshidabad and Jangipur constituencies. According to state election officials, Murshidabad had the highest turnout of 76.49% followed by Maldaha Dakshin, Maldaha Uttar, and Jangipur. The TMC, BJP, and Congress-CPI alliance have all filed separate complaints regarding poll violence, voter intimidation, and assaults on poll agents.
The Election Commission received a total of 182 complaints by 9 am, most of which were from Murshidabad and Jangipur constituencies. Left-Congress combine candidate Mohammed Salim claimed to have caught a "fake booth agent" in the Rabinagar area of the constituency and faced "go back" slogans as he tried to enter a booth. In the Karimpur and Domkol areas, clashes were reported between TMC and CPI and TMC and Congress respectively.
BJP candidate Dhanajoy Ghosh also faced protests by TMC cadres in Jangipur, with both parties accusing each other of intimidating voters. In Maldaha Dakshin, the BJP accused the TMC of beating up their booth agents, while the Congress filed similar complaints in the Ratua area of Malda. These incidents raise concerns about the safety and fairness of the elections, and strict action must be taken by the Election Commission to ensure a smooth and fair voting process.
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