Lok Sabha Elections 2024: PM Narendra Modi Reports Record Voter Turnout for NDA in Phase 1

PM Modi recently posted on the microblogging website X, expressing gratitude for the record numbers of voters showing support for the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in the ongoing elections. The first phase of polling took place in 102 constituencies across 21 states and Union Territories. The Election Commission (EC) noted a “high” turnout and relatively peaceful voting. The voter turnout for the first phase of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections was 69.43 percent, and although some incidents of violence were reported, the voting process was largely undisturbed.

There were allegations of disruption and proxy voting in certain areas of West Bengal and Manipur, where incidents of breaking electronic voting machines (EVMs) were reported. However, in other regions such as Uttarakhand, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Mizoram, Tamil Nadu, and various Union Territories, the voting process proceeded smoothly. Several notable events occurred during the polling, including the historic participation of voters from 56 villages in Bastar, Chhattisgarh, who cast their votes in their own villages for the first time. Additionally, voters from tribal communities in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, particularly the Shompen tribe of Great Nicobar, made history by turning out in large numbers to cast their votes.

Throughout the country, voters braved challenging weather conditions, with some enduring sweltering heat and others waiting patiently in pouring rain to exercise their democratic rights.