The eight states/UTs going to polls in phase 5 are: Bihar, J&K, Ladakh, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal…reports Asian Lite News
As the Lok Sabha elections enter the fifth phase, over 8.95 crore voters will exercise their franchise in 49 constituencies across 8 states/UTs on Monday.
Voting began at 7am and continues until 6pm. Those who are in line before the cutoff time are still allowed to vote.
Elections to 35 constituencies of the Odisha Legislative Assembly will also be held simultaneously on Monday, according to the Election Commission of India.
According to the ECI, over 8.95 crore voters, including 4.69 crore men, 4.26 crore women and 5,409 voters of the third gender, will decide the fate of 695 candidates tomorrow.
The fifth phase will witness important contests in various constituencies. Leaders like Rahul Gandhi, BJP leaders Rajnath Singh, Smriti Irani, Rajiv Pratap Rudy, Piyush Goyal, Ujjwal Nikam, Karan Bhushan Singh, LJP (Ramvilas) chief Chirag Paswan, JKNC chief Omar Abdullah and RJD leader Rohini Acharya will be on seek electoral success.
The eight states/UTs going to polls in phase 5 are: Bihar, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal.
Cities like Mumbai, Thane and Lucknow go to the polls in this phase, which has suffered from urban apathy in voting in the past. The committee especially calls on these city residents to erase the stigma by taking action in larger numbers.
Of the 49 Lok Sabha seats, 14 are from Uttar Pradesh, 13 from Maharashtra, 7 from West Bengal, 5 from Bihar, 3 from Jharkhand, 5 from Odisha and one each from Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.
In an effort to create a peaceful atmosphere for voters, a total of 2,000 flying squadrons, 2,105 static surveillance teams, 881 video surveillance teams and 502 video viewing teams are monitoring the 94,732 polling stations 24 hours a day.
A total of 216 international border checkpoints and 565 interstate border checkpoints closely monitor any illicit flow of liquor, drugs, cash and freebies. Sea and air routes are strictly monitored, the ECI said.
The ECI said the polling stations are ready to welcome voters with adequate shade, drinking water, ramps, toilets and other basic facilities to ensure that the elections take place in a comfortable and safe environment. The concerned CEOs/DEOs and state apparatuses have been advised to take adequate measures to control hot weather conditions in areas where it is forecast, it added.
The Commission has called on voters to come to polling stations in greater numbers and vote with responsibility and pride. So far, the 2024 Lok Sabha elections have witnessed a poll turnout of around 66.95 per cent. About 451 million people have already voted in the first four phases of the ongoing general election, the ECI said.
ECI has partnered with a host of prominent figures to engage and motivate voters to cast their votes during the ongoing elections.
With four phases completed, general election polling has reached its halfway mark with polling completed in 23 states/UTs and 379 parliamentary constituencies. Elections to the state legislative assemblies of Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim and Andhra Pradesh and the 28 seats of the Odisha State Assembly have also been completed.
The results of the seven-phase Lok Sabha elections will be declared on June 4.
In a bid to create a peaceful atmosphere for the electors, a total of 2,000 flying squads, 2105 static surveillance teams, 881 video surveillance teams, and 502 video viewing teams are keeping surveillance round the clock across the 94,732 polling stations.
A total of 216 international border check posts and 565 inter-state border check posts are keeping a strict vigil on any illicit flow of liquor, drugs, cash, and freebies. Strict surveillance has been kept on sea and air routes, the ECI said.
The ECI said that the polling stations are ready to welcome the voters with ample shade, drinking water, ramps, toilets, and other basic facilities to ensure that polling takes place in a comfortable and secure environment.
The concerned CEOs, DEOs, and state machinery have been advised to take adequate measures to manage hot weather conditions in areas where it is forecast, it added.
The Commission has called upon voters to turn out in greater numbers at polling stations and vote with responsibility and pride. Until now, the Lok Sabha Elections 2024 have seen a voter turnout at polling stations of about 66.95 per cent.
Around 451 million people have already voted during the first four phases of the ongoing general elections, the ECI added.
ECI has partnered with a host of prominent figures to appeal to and motivate voters to cast their vote during the ongoing elections.
The remaining phases of the polls will continue until June 1, with the counting of votes scheduled for June 4. Polling for 23 states (UTs) and 379 PCs was completed in a smooth and peaceful manner in the first four phases of the general elections.
With the conclusion of four phases, polling for general elections has crossed the halfway mark, with polling completed in 23 states/UTs and 379 parliamentary constituencies.
Polling is also completed in general elections for the state legislative assemblies of Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, and Andhra Pradesh and the 28 assembly seats of the Odisha State Assembly.
The results of the seven-phase Lok Sabha elections will be announced on June 4.
ALSO READ-Polls 2024: Cong to hold election town halls in Delhi