May 20th 2024.
As the nation awoke to a new day on Monday, the fifth phase of the Lok Sabha elections was underway in 49 constituencies spread across six states and two Union Territories. The outcome of today's voting will determine the fate of many prominent leaders, including former Congress president Rahul Gandhi, Union ministers Rajnath Singh and Smriti Irani, and former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah.
Over 8.95 crore people, including 4.26 crore women and 5,409 transgender individuals, are eligible to cast their vote in this phase. The Election Commission has deployed 9.47 lakh polling officials across 94,732 polling stations to ensure smooth and fair voting. This phase covers the least number of seats in the seven-phase polls.
The constituencies going to polls today include 13 in Maharashtra, 14 in Uttar Pradesh, seven in West Bengal, five in Bihar, three in Jharkhand, five in Odisha, one in Jammu and Kashmir, and the lone seat in Ladakh. Additionally, 35 assembly constituencies in Odisha are also voting today, where BJD president and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik is among the candidates.
As the voting began, an approximate voter turnout of 10.28 per cent was recorded in the first two hours. Maharashtra had the lowest voter turnout at 6.33 per cent, while West Bengal had the highest at 15.35 per cent. Other states that recorded voter turnout include Bihar at 8.86 per cent, Jammu and Kashmir at 7.63 per cent, Jharkhand at 11.68 per cent, Ladakh at 10.51 per cent, Odisha at 6.87 per cent, and Uttar Pradesh at 12.89 per cent.
Among the early voters were prominent figures such as Reserve Bank Governor Shaktikanta Das, BSP chief Mayawati, Tata Sons Chairman N Chandrasekaran, Union minister Piyush Goyal, and industrialist Anil Ambani. They all emphasized the importance of exercising one's right to vote in a parliamentary democracy like India.
In Mumbai, where several polling booths saw a good turnout, even Bollywood celebrities came out to cast their votes. Actors Akshay Kumar, Farhan Akhtar, Rajkummar Rao, and Jahnvi Kapoor were among the early voters. Akshay Kumar shared his thoughts after casting his vote, saying that he wants a developed and strong India and urged all Indians to vote for what is right for them.
Meanwhile, Congress leaders such as Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also urged voters to come out in large numbers and cast their votes. Kharge reminded people to vote for love and brotherhood, while Rahul Gandhi spoke about the need to vote against unemployment and inflation. He also said that the country is witnessing a storm of change and urged people to be a part of it.
Unfortunately, there were also reports of misconduct during the voting process. In West Bengal, a BSF jawan was removed from poll duty in Uluberia Lok Sabha constituency after a woman lodged a complaint of molestation against him. The Election Commission is waiting for the police report and will take necessary action if the jawan is found guilty.
With the completion of voting in 23 states and Union Territories and 379 seats, the nation is inching closer to the end of the mammoth election process. The remaining two phases will take place on May 25 and June 1, with the counting of votes on June 4. As the country awaits the final outcome, every vote counts and every citizen must fulfill their duty to vote.
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