2024 Lok Sabha Election Phase 1: Voting In 21 States Today as India Begins National Election

This year’s Lok Sabha election is accompanied by state assembly elections in several states across India. Assam and Maharashtra will have five seats each, while Bihar will have four, West Bengal three, Manipur two, and Tripura, Jammu and Kashmir, and Chhattisgarh one each. Additionally, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh will also have new assemblies elected alongside the Lok Sabha election. Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim are the first to start polling, with 60 and 32 seats respectively.

By 3 pm, the recorded voter turnout was 49.78 percent. States like Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh also recorded their respective turnout percentages. Violence and clashes were reported in some areas, with allegations of voter intimidation and assault on poll agents. The Prime Minister has set a target of 400 seats for the NDA, which won 353 seats in the previous election.

Opposition INDIA, despite its disarray, has been standing together, with the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal bringing the bloc into focus. The BJP aims to dominate the northeast, Hindi heartland, Jammu, and Gujarat. It also hopes to make progress in West Bengal and Odisha. The Congress projects confidence in its performance in the northern states, while also expressing optimism about its results in the south.

The counting of votes is scheduled for June 4. Overall, the elections have stirred significant political dynamics across the country, with multiple parties and alliances vying for success in different regions.