Nation / Fri, 19 Apr 2024 The Indian Express

62% voter turnout in 102 constituencies as Phase One of Decision 2024 ends

While the average turnout in these 102 Lok Sabha seats stood at 70% in 2019, the tentative turnout this time pointed to a decrease. AdvertisementChief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar said the first phase of polling had gone off satisfactorily. In a statement at the close of polling, the EC said: “Polling for the first phase of the General Elections 2024 recorded high voter turnout despite the heat wave. Polling in the 102 Lok Sabha constituencies and all Assembly seats of Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh began at 7 am. A total of 16.63 crore electors were eligible to cast their votes in Phase I of polling at 1.87 lakh polling stations.

From Jammu and Kashmir to Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra to Manipur, the first phase of polling in the Lok Sabha elections saw a voter turnout of around 62% until 9 pm in 102 constituencies across 21 states and Union Territories, the phase with the largest number of seats in the seven-phase 2024 polls.

According to Election Commission of India data, turnout in the 102 Lok Sabha constituencies of Phase I and the 92 Assembly constituencies of Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim, where state legislature polls were held simultaneously, stood at 62.37% as of 9 pm.

Polling was to end at 6 pm, but those who were in line to vote were being allowed to cast their votes beyond 6 pm, EC officials said. While the average turnout in these 102 Lok Sabha seats stood at 70% in 2019, the tentative turnout this time pointed to a decrease. However, the final figures were expected to go up. According to EC, the final figures would be known on Saturday.

Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar said the first phase of polling had gone off satisfactorily. “Thanks to the voters and the polling personnel for their hard work over two years, the polling in the first phase augurs well for the next phases,” he said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in a post on X: “First phase, great response! Thank you to all those who have voted today. Getting excellent feedback from today’s voting. It’s clear that people across India are voting for NDA in record number.”

In Tamil Nadu’s 39 seats, the turnout until 9 pm was 65.19% — the 2019 turnout in the state had been 72.44%. Uttarakhand’s five seats saw a turnout of 54.06% as of 9 pm, compared to 61.88% in 2019.

As of 9 pm, Tripura, where votes were cast for one seat, had the highest turnout for any state (80.17%), followed by West Bengal (77.57%) which had three seats in the fray. Bihar, which had four seats in the first phase, had the lowest turnout for any state (48.50%) — in 2019, the four seats of Aurangabad, Gaya, Nawada and Jamui had an average turnout of 54%.

The first phase saw voters turning out for all 39 seats in Tamil Nadu, 12 seats in Rajasthan, 8 seats in UP, 6 seats in Madhya Pradesh, 5 seats each in Assam, Maharashtra and Uttarakhand, 4 seats of Bihar, 3 seats of West Bengal, 2 seats each in Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya and 1 seat each in Chhattisgarh, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, Tripura, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Jammu and Kashmir, Lakshadweep and Puducherry.

While there were reports of violence in some parts of Manipur, EC officials said considering the situation of ethnic conflict in the state since 2023, polling had been relatively smooth. The officials, however, said repoll was likely in the polling stations where there was violence and entry of outsiders into booths.

In Nagaland, the overall turnout was 56.91% as of 9pm, but the EC’s Voter Turnout app showed that the turnout in 19 of the 60 Assembly segments had been left blank and in one of them, Tamlu, it was “0.00%”, reflecting the call for boycott in some districts over the demand for separate administration.

In a statement at the close of polling, the EC said: “Polling for the first phase of the General Elections 2024 recorded high voter turnout despite the heat wave. Polling remains largely peaceful with voters from various walks participating enthusiastically in a dazzling display of civic responsibility and pride.”

In a departure from the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the EC did not release details of the numbers of EVMs and VVPATs used and the percentage replaced during polling. An EC spokesperson declined to comment when asked. However, according to a senior EC official, the replacement rate was below 1%.

Polling was held for the first time in 56 villages of Bastar and the Shompen tribe of Great Nicobar too voted for the first time, the EC said.

Polling in the 102 Lok Sabha constituencies and all Assembly seats of Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh began at 7 am. A total of 16.63 crore electors were eligible to cast their votes in Phase I of polling at 1.87 lakh polling stations. The results of the elections will be announced on June 4 along with the other six phases of elections.

The Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim Assembly results will be counted on June 2 as the term of the Assemblies there are ending that day.