Voting is underway for the first phase of 2024 general elections. Polling is taking place in 102 Parliamentary constituencies spread over 17 states and four Union territories
AMN / WEB DESK
What is being seen as the world’s largest general election began in India on Friday morning, with roughly 970 million eligible voters. It pits Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ruling party against an opposition alliance.
Polling is underway for first phase of Lok Sabha elections on 102 parliamentary seats spread in different states
Polling began at 7 AM and will end at 6 PM. Election officials said the highest turnout till 11 am was recorded in Tripura which saw 34.54 per voters casting their vote and the lowest in Lakshwadeep which saw 16.33 voting percentage.
West Bengal recorded a turnout of 33.56 per cent till 11 am. However, polling was marred by violence in the Cooch Behar seat.
Both the TMC and the BJP clashed and lodged 80 and 39 complaints against each other respectively related to poll violence, voter intimidation, and assaults on poll agents, sources from both parties said.
In strife-torn Manipur, around 28.19 per cent of the over 15.44 lakh voters exercised their franchise till 11 am.
The voting to choose members of the lower house Lok Sabha is staggered, with seven different polling dates set for constituencies across the country. The seventh and final phase of voting will take place on June 1.
Modi, who belongs to the governing Bharatiya Janata Party, is seeking a third term in office. An opposition alliance centering around the Indian National Congress party is aiming to grab the reins of government.
The ruling and opposition camps have been campaigning vigorously to drum up voter support.
The BJP says that under the Modi government, India’s gross domestic product has grown to the world’s fifth largest and is predicted to expand to rank third as early as 2027.
The opposition accuses the Modi administration of allowing wealth inequality to widen in pursuit of economic development. It also says the government has failed to create enough jobs for young people.
Recent opinion surveys put the BJP ahead of the opposition alliance. However, regional parties that are part of the opposition alliance retain strong support in the southern state of Tamil Nadu, where people vote in Phase 1.
CEC Rajiv Kumar appeals people to vote in Lok Sabha polls
Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar has appealed people to vote in the Lok Sabha polls beginning today. Speaking to media, Mr Kumar said, today is the day of voting and a large number of security and non-security measures are in place. He said, Election Commission is welcoming everyone to polling booths.
