Lok Sabha elections 2024: First phase of polling sees 60% turnout amid minor glitches

Polling Begins: The first phase of Lok Sabha elections commenced, covering 102 seats across 21 states and Union territories. Nearly 60% of polling was reported till 5 pm. Voting began at 7 am in all constituencies and ended at 6 pm in most seats. (PTI Photo)

Election Commission’s Statement: An Election Commission spokesperson stated that the turnout figure was only approximate. The polling was held “smoothly and peacefully”. Assembly elections were also held simultaneously in Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim. (PTI Photo)

Political Landscape: The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) under Prime Minister Modi is seeking a stronger majority for a third consecutive term. The constituents of the opposition INDIA bloc are hoping for a rebound after facing reverses in the 2014 and 2019 elections. (PTI Photo)

Voters’ Participation: Among the voters were first-timers, many newly-wed couples who came in their traditional attires, physically challenged people and some elderly persons carried on stretchers and wheelchairs. Over 16.63 crore people are eligible to vote in this phase. (PTI Photo)

Technical Glitches: Minor EVM glitches were reported at some booths in Tamil Nadu, Arunachal Pradesh, Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Assam. “Most of the glitches were noticed during the mock poll, which started 90 minutes before the commencement of actual voting. Those glitches were rectified immediately,” an official said. (PTI Photo)

State-wise Turnout: Election officials reported the turnout in West Bengal was 77.57% till 5 pm, Assam 70.77% and Meghalaya 69.91%. In Chhattisgarh, 63.41% of voters cast their votes in the Naxal-hit Bastar Lok Sabha constituency. In Tamil Nadu, a voting percentage of over 63.20 was recorded. (PTI Photo)

Violence and Protests: In West Bengal, polling was marred by violence in the Cooch Behar seat. TMC and BJP workers clashed with each other. In strife-torn Manipur, an impressive turnout of 67.46% till 5 pm was recorded. An altercation broke out between locals and unidentified persons in the Thongju assembly constituency under the Inner Manipur Lok Sabha seat. (PTI Photo)

Candidates and Seats: Among the prominent candidates in the fray in the first phase are Union ministers Nitin Gadkari and Sarbananda Sonowal, Gaurav Gogoi of Congress and DMK’s Kanimozhi. Polling is being held for all seats of Tamil Nadu (39), Uttarakhand (5), Arunachal Pradesh (2), Meghalaya (2), Andaman and Nicobar Islands (1), Mizoram (1), Nagaland (1), Puducherry (1), Sikkim (1) and Lakshadweep (1). (PTI Photo)

Counting of Votes: The counting of votes in the elections that will conclude on June one will be taken up on June 4. Simultaneously, assembly elections are being held in Arunachal Pradesh (60 seats) and Sikkim (32 seats). (PTI Photo)

Election Commission’s Preparation: The Election Commission has deployed over 18 lakh polling personnel across 1.87 lakh polling stations. In the first phase, there are 35.67 lakh first-time voters, besides 3.51 crore young voters in the age group of 20-29 years. (PTI Photo)