Curtain falls on LS Polls-2024
New Delhi, June 1: The Lok Sabha Polls-2024 were completed successfully with the seventh phase drawing to a close on Saturday with a 59.45 percent voter turnout.
The voting for the Lok Sabha Polls-2024, which began on April 19, concluded after seven phases.
The Election Commission of India (ECI) said that Indian voters had exercised their most cherished right, contributing to the formation of the 18th Lok Sabha.
The resilience and participation of the Indian electorate, regardless of caste, creed, religion, socio-economic, and educational background, highlights the true essence of democracy.
The ECI said that the real winner “indeed, is the Indian voter”.
Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar, along with Election Commissioners Gyanesh Kumar and Sukhbir Singh Sandhu, and the entire ECI team, thanked the voters.
“Despite numerous challenges and dilemmas, voters turned out in large numbers, honouring the trust placed in them by the founders of the Indian constitution,” the ECI said. “This massive participation reaffirms India's democratic ethos and spirit.”
The ECI also thanked the entire election machinery, including security forces, for their dedication and commitment to ensuring a smooth, peaceful, and celebratory environment for voters across the country.
“They braved tough weather, logistical challenges, and maintained law and order in diverse demographics,” the ECI said
The ECI thanked all political parties and candidates, pivotal to the Indian elections, for their crucial role.
“Appreciation is also extended to the print, electronic, and digital media for their significant contribution as allies in promoting free and fair elections,” the ECI said.
It said that special acknowledgment was given to centenarians, the elderly, Persons with Disabilities (PwDs), and transgender individuals whose votes serve as an inspiration, particularly to young voters who will carry forward India's democratic legacy.
The ECI aspires that the next generation of voters will elevate this participation to even greater heights.
“The collective efforts of voters, political parties, candidates, election personnel, and security forces during this polling period have significantly strengthened Indian democracy,” the ECI said. “Their contributions deserve immense respect and appreciation, keeping the wheels of democracy spinning robustly.”
FINAL PHASE HIGHLIGHTS
In the last phase of polling, numerous high-profile politicians, candidates, and Bollywood actors cast their votes.
Voting took place in 57 constituencies across seven states and one Union Territory, with 13 seats in Uttar Pradesh and Punjab, nine in West Bengal, eight in Bihar, six in Odisha, four in Himachal Pradesh, three in Jharkhand, and the lone seat in Chandigarh.
Voter turnout was approximately 60 percent across these regions, with Bihar recording the lowest turnout at over 50 percent and Himachal Pradesh the highest at 60 percent.
The seventh and final phase of the Lok Sabha elections recorded a voter turnout of 59.45 percent as of 8:45 pm across 57 parliamentary constituencies in eight states and union territories.
As the extensive seven-phase election process concluded, attention directly turned to the exit polls with the official results set to be declared on June 4.
The voter turnout for the last six phases of the Lok Sabha polls, as released by the ECI, stands at – 66.14 percent for Phase 1, 66.71 percent for Phase 2, 65.68 percent for Phase 3, 69.16 percent for Phase 4, 62.20 percent for Phase 5, and 63.37 percent for Phase 6.
KEY FIGURES CAST THEIR VOTES
Several notable figures participated in this crucial seventh phase.
UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Bihar's RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, and former Bihar Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi were among the prominent voters.
In Himachal Pradesh, Bollywood actor and BJP candidate Kangana Ranaut, along with Union Minister Anurag Thakur, were seen casting their votes.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann shared an image of his inked finger, symbolising his participation.
BJP President J P Nadda also cast his vote, emphasising the party's commitment to making India stronger and more self-reliant.
High-profile candidates from various parties, including Congress’ Manish Tewari, Vikramaditya Singh, and Ajay Rai, as well as TMC’s Abhishek Banerjee, are among those whose electoral fates are sealed in the ballot boxes.
VIOLENCE AND COMPLAINTS IN WEST BENGAL
The final phase in West Bengal was marred by violence and allegations of electoral malpractice. The CEI received about 715 complaints regarding EVM malfunctions, interference with polling agents, and voter intimidation.
In Bhangar, clashes between Trinamool Congress (TMC) and Indian Secular Front (ISF) supporters led to the use of crude bombs and Police intervention, including baton charges.
Similar violence was reported in Phulbari, prompting further police action.
An EVM and a VVPAT machine were thrown into a pond at Kultali in South 24 Parganas, although the ECI assured that these were reserve machines and did not affect the polling process.
The West Bengal Election Commission has lodged an FIR and initiated necessary actions to address these incidents.
As the electoral process draws to a close, the nation stands by for the official results, with the political landscape poised for significant shifts depending on the outcomes.
PM NARENDRA MODI CONCLUDES 45-HOUR MEDITATION AT VIVEKANANDA ROCK MEMORIAL
Prime Minister Narendra Modi concluded a 45-hour meditation at the Vivekananda Rock Memorial in Kanniyakumari, Tamil Nadu, on Saturday.
His spiritual visit to the Dhyan Mandapam, where the revered Hindu philosopher Swami Vivekananda is believed to have had a divine vision of 'Bharat Mata', began on Thursday, May 30.
Kanyakumari, the southernmost tip of India, holds significant cultural and geographical importance.
It is where India’s Eastern and Western coastlines converge, and the Indian Ocean, Bay of Bengal, and the Arabian Sea meet.
Mythology also holds that Goddess Parvati meditated on one foot here as she awaited Lord Shiva. Modi’s meditation at this historic and symbolic location is seen as a gesture promoting national unity.
INDIA BLOC STRATEGISES FOR VOTE COUNTING AMID KEY ABSENCES
Senior leaders of the INDIA bloc gathered at Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge’s residence to strategise for the vote counting on June 4. Conspicuously absent from the meeting were representatives from the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The meeting included prominent opposition figures such as Sharad Pawar, Akhilesh Yadav, Tejashwi Yadav, Anil Desai, Sitaram Yechury, Arvind Kejriwal, Bhagwant Mann, Sanjay Singh, Raghav Chadha, Champai Soren, Kalpana Soren, T R Baalu, Farooq Abdullah, D Raja, and Mukesh Sahani.
In a significant decision, the INDIA bloc parties resolved to participate in upcoming debates.
This comes a day after the Congress party announced its decision to boycott all exit poll discussions, citing a desire to avoid speculation and TRP-driven slugfests.
