The sixth phase of the India General elections 2024 witnessed enthusiastic voters exercising their democratic right across 58 constituencies in six states and two union territories. Polling began at 7 am and concluded at 6 pm, with nearly 58% voter turnout recorded by 5 pm.
The Election Commission of India reported that approximately 11.13 crore individuals were eligible to vote in this phase. A total of 1.14 lakh polling places were set up to facilitate voting across these constituencies. Here’s the breakdown of states and Union Territories participating in this phase, along with the number of seats in each:
- Bihar: 8 seats
- Haryana: All 10 seats
- Jammu and Kashmir: 1 seat
- Jharkhand: 4 seats
- Delhi: All 7 seats
- Odisha: 6 seats
- Uttar Pradesh: 14 seats
- West Bengal: 8 seats
Additionally, the rescheduled poll in the Anantnag-Rajouri parliamentary constituency of Jammu and Kashmir was also held during this phase. A total of 889 candidates contested in these constituencies, including 20 candidates in the Anantnag-Rajouri seat. The highest number of nomination forms were filed in Uttar Pradesh (470 from 14 parliamentary constituencies), followed by Haryana (370 nominations from 10 constituencies)
India General elections 2024 Phase 6: Voter Turnout
In the sixth phase of the India General elections 2024, which took place on May 25, 2024, a total of 58 seats across eight states and union territories went to polling. The overall voter turnout for Phase 6 was 59.60%. West Bengal recorded the highest voter turnout at 78.20%. Jammu and Kashmir (Anantnag-Rajouri) constituency recorded voter turnout of 52.92%. This was the lowest turnout in the sixth phase of the Lok Sabha elections.
With Phase 6 concluded, a total of 486 out of 543 seats have now voted. The remaining 51 seats will vote in Phase 7 on June 1. The State/UT wise approximate voter turnout in the sixth phase is updated the voter turnout application of the Election Commission of India on May 25, 2024 .
STATE/UT | APPROX. VOTER TURNOUT UPDATED TILL 9:25 P.M |
Odisha | 60.07% |
Uttar Pradesh | 54.03% |
West Bengal | 78.20% |
Bihar | 54.49% |
Jammu and Kashmir | 52.92% |
Jharkhand | 63.27% |
Haryana | 59.27% |
Delhi | 55.85% |
High-profile Candidates in India General Elections 2024 Phase 6
- Bansuri Swaraj
- Constituency: She contested from the New Delhi constituency from BJP.
- Opponent: Her opponent was Somnath Bharti from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).
- Manoj Tiwari:
- Constituency: He contested from the North East Delhi constituency in Delhi.
- Opponent: His opponent was Kanhaiya Kumar from the Indian National Congress (INC).
- Maneka Gandhi:
- Constituency: She contested from the Sultanpur constituency in Uttar Pradesh.
- Opponent: Her opponent was Rambhual Nishad from the Samajwadi Party (SP).
- Sambit Patra:
- Constituency: He contested from the Puri constituency in Odisha.
- Opponent: His opponent was Arup Patnaik from the Biju Janata Dal (BJD).
- Mehbooba Mufti:
- Constituency: She contested from the Anantnag-Rajouri constituency in Jammu and Kashmir.
- Opponent: Her opponent was Mian Altaf Ahmed Larvi of National Conference in this constituency.
Interesting facts about Phase 6 candidates
- Criminal Records of Candidates:
- According to an analysis by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) and The National Election Watch, 21% of the candidates contesting in this phase of India General Elections 2024 have declared criminal cases against themselves.
- Out of these, 141 candidates have serious criminal charges. Some candidates even have cases related to crime against women and attempt to murder.
- The constituencies with the highest percentage of candidates having criminal cases are Bishnupur (43%) and Kanthi (55%) in West Bengal, and Basti (55%) in Uttar Pradesh.
- States with the highest share of candidates with criminal cases are Jharkhand (31%), Odisha (28%), Bihar (28%), and West Bengal (25%).
- Wealth of Candidates:
- Around 80% of the contesting candidates from major parties are crorepatis (individuals with assets worth at least one crore rupees).
- Among national parties, 94% of BJP candidates and 80% of Congress and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) candidates fall into this category.
- State parties like AITC, RJD, BJD, and Samajwadi Party also have a significant number of crorepati candidates.
Key Election Issues in Phase 6
India General Elections 2024 had several key issues related to the common voters. Here are some of the prominent ones:
- Economic Recovery and Growth:
- The pandemic-induced economic slowdown has been a major concern. Voters voted for policies that can accelerate recovery, create jobs, and boost economic growth.
- Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare:
- The contentious farm laws introduced by the central government sparked protests across the country, specially in Haryana. Voters were keen on understanding each party’s stance on agricultural reforms, MSP (Minimum Support Price), and farmer welfare.
- National Security and Terrorism:
- Security concerns, especially in regions like Jammu and Kashmir, continue to be relevant. Voters assessed how parties address issues related to terrorism, border security, and defense preparedness in India General Elections 2024.
- Social Justice and Caste Dynamics:
- India’s diverse social fabric plays a significant role. Voters considered parties’ commitment to social justice, reservations, and upliftment of marginalized communities.
- Environment and Climate Change:
- Environmental conservation, sustainable development, and climate change policies gained prominence. Voters judged parties’ plan to balance economic growth with ecological responsibility in India General Elections 2024.
- Education and Skill Development:
- Education reforms, skill development programs, and access to quality education are crucial issues. Voters were interested in parties’ plans to improve the education system.
- Infrastructure and Connectivity:
- Voters were concerned about infrastructure development, including roads, railways, and digital connectivity. They wanted to know how parties intend to enhance connectivity and boost regional development after India General Elections 2024.
- Corruption and Governance:
- Transparency, accountability, and efficient governance are key factors. Voters evaluated parties based on their track record in tackling corruption and ensuring good governance.
- Regional and State-Specific Issues:
- Each state has its unique challenges and priorities. In India General Elections 2024, regional issues such as water scarcity, unemployment, and local development played a significant role in voters’ decisions.
The India General Elections 2024 Phase 6 witnessed significant voter turnout across states, with intense battles in constituencies. Key issues such as economic recovery, healthcare management, agriculture, national security, and social justice shaped the political discourse. Voters are now evaluating parties based on their stance on these critical matters. As India heads toward the final phase of elections on June 1, the outcome remains eagerly anticipated. The results will be out on June 4.