62.84% turnout in 9 states, J&K UT

New Delhi, May 13

As the fourth phase of the Lok Sabha elections unfolded peacefully across nine states and Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory (UT) on Monday, sporadic incidents of violence in Andhra Pradesh marred the electoral process.

Polling in the fourth phase of the 2024 General Elections kicked off at 7 am on Monday, spanning 96 polling centres in the nine states and J&K UT with a turnout of approximately 62.84 percent by 8 pm.

Despite the official closure of polls at 6 pm, many voters remained in queues at various polling stations.

While the turnout figures are provisional, they can be accessed via the Voter Turnout app of the Election Commission of India (ECI), providing comprehensive data on both phase-wise and state-wise participation.

With the conclusion of the fourth phase, more than half of the General Elections are now completed, covering 23 states and UTs and 379 parliamentary constituencies.

Additionally, polling for State Legislative Assemblies in Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Andhra Pradesh, and 28 assembly seats of Odisha has concluded.

In Kashmir, voting took place for the Srinagar parliamentary constituency amidst tight security, witnessing orderly queues of voters at polling stations.

The ECI extended polling time in certain assembly segments of 17 parliamentary constituencies in Telangana to encourage higher participation.

Despite favourable weather conditions across the nine states and J&K UTs where the fourth phase of polling occurred, with no extreme heat waves reported, voters displayed enthusiasm.

A total of 1717 candidates contested in this phase.

A polling official in Champapet, Telangana, passed away while on duty.

West Bengal recorded the highest polling percentage around 76 percent, followed by Madhya Pradesh at 68.63 percent.

However, J&K witnessed the lowest voter turnout among all the states and UTs followed by Maharashtra.

Simultaneous polls were held for all 175 assembly seats in Andhra Pradesh and 28 assembly seats in Odisha, with sporadic incidents of violence reported in Andhra Pradesh.

The spotlight of Monday’s elections was on the Srinagar seat in Kashmir, the first major election in the Valley since the abrogation of Article 370.

Both national and international observers closely monitored the proceedings.

One voter from Srinagar expressed the significance of the moment, saying, “It is after 20 years that I was yearning to vote, finally I did it today.”

Prominent leaders drawing attention in West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh include Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, Trinamool Congress leader Mahua Moitra, and Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury.

Reports also emerged of malfunctioning Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in select booths in West Bengal and Odisha.

Clashes between regional political parties TDP and YSRCP supporters disrupted polling in Andhra Pradesh’s three districts. Violence erupted at the Narasaropet polling booth, where TDP's MLA candidate was reportedly attacked.

Clashes were reported in Kadapa and Annamayya districts.

Both parties accuse each other. The TDP alleged damage to vehicles, EVM destruction, and injuries to party agents.

YSRCP claimed their agent was stabbed in Chittoor, alleging attacks on party members and property by TDP supporters. TDP, part of the NDA alliance, allotted 144 assemblies, and17 Lok Sabha seats; BJP contested on six Lok Sabha, and10 assembly seats. AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi and BJP opponent Madhavi Latha participated in the Hyderabad elections.

Andhra Pradesh saw brisk voting in nearly all 25 Lok Sabha and 175 assembly seats.

As polling continued, leaders from various political parties emphasised the crucial role of every citizen in shaping the future of the nation through active participation in the electoral process.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had called upon citizens to fulfil their democratic duty by participating in large numbers in the ongoing Lok Sabha and Assembly elections.

Stressing the importance of strengthening India's democracy, Modi urged voters to make their voices heard by turning up at polling booths in record numbers.

Echoing similar sentiments, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and party leader Rahul Gandhi also urged voters to actively participate in the fourth phase of the seven-phase Lok Sabha polls.

They emphasised the significance of voting to pave the way for the formation of a government that serves the interests of the nation.

The last three phases did see a lower percentage of votes.

A total of 96 seats across nine states and J&K UT are up for grabs in this phase.

The states participating in the fourth phase of polling included Andhra Pradesh (25 seats), Telangana (17 seats), Uttar Pradesh (13 seats), Maharashtra (11 seats), Madhya Pradesh (8 seats), West Bengal (8 seats), Bihar (5 seats), Odisha (4 seats), and J&K UT (1 seat). Additionally, voters in Andhra Pradesh also cast their ballots to elect representatives for the 175-member State Assembly.

Furthermore, 28 Legislative Assembly seats in Odisha also underwent polling on Monday.

In a separate incident, security forces thwarted an attempt by Maoists to obstruct voter access to polling booths by felling a tree and blocking a road leading to remote Sonapi and Morangponga areas of West Singhbhum district, officials said.

“We received reports of Maoists blocking a road with a felled tree near Sonapi to hinder voters from reaching booth numbers 24 and 25 in Chotanagar police station area, which collectively accommodate 1522 voters. We ensured that voters were able to cast their ballots, resulting in a turnout of 50.94 percent and 15.43 percent in these two booths by 10:30 am,” West Singhbhum Deputy Commissioner and District Election Officer Kuldeep Chaudhary said.

The lacklustre participation in the ongoing 18th Lok Sabha elections has coincided with a downturn in the share market, prompting significant speculation.

Political analysts and market experts perceive these market corrections as indicative of the formidable challenges confronting the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led BJP in this electoral season.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah in an interview on television, addressed concerns surrounding the underperformance of the market.

He discussed the recent surge in volatility, suggesting that it might persist over the next few weeks.

Analysts predict that the benchmark Nifty 50 could witness a further correction of 2-3 percent in the upcoming weeks, attributing this trend to the prevailing uncertainty surrounding the outcome of the Lok Sabha elections on June 4.

PM Modi led a 6 km long road show in Varanasi on Monday, ahead of his scheduled nomination filing for the Lok Sabha seat in Uttar Pradesh on Tuesday.

Commencing the road show, the PM garlanded a statue of noted educationist and social reformer Madan Mohan Malviya at the Malviya Chauraha in the Lanka area.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath accompanied him during the event.