Lok Sabha election 2024 Phase 7: Voter Turnout, Promising contests

In a significant democratic exercise, voters across India turned out in large numbers for the seventh phase of the Lok Sabha election 2024. The polling day, which took place on May 31, 2024, witnessed enthusiastic participation as citizens exercised their right to vote.

The Election Commission reported an impressive voter turnout, surpassing previous records. Across the 59 constituencies in 7 states and 1 union territory that went to the polls, citizens queued up patiently at polling stations. The scorching summer heat did not deter them from fulfilling their civic duty. The approximate voter participation in this phase reached 59.50%, reflecting the electorate’s commitment to shaping the nation’s future.

Key States and Constituencies

Let’s take a closer look at some of the states and constituencies that played a crucial role in this phase of Lok Sabha election 2024:

1. Uttar Pradesh:
   • The largest state in terms of Lok Sabha seats, Uttar Pradesh witnessed intense campaigning by major political parties. Constituencies like Varanasi, Gorakhpur, and Lucknow saw high voter enthusiasm. The holy city of Varanasi, represented by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, witnessed a substantial turnout.
2. Bihar:
   • Bihar, known for its politically charged atmosphere, had constituencies like Patna Sahib, Begusarai, and Darbhanga in the fray. Voters in these regions expressed their opinions on issues ranging from development to social justice and approximate voter turnout was 50.53%.
3. West Bengal:
   • West Bengal continued to be a battleground state. The fierce contest between the ruling Trinamool Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) unfolded in constituencies like Kolkata North, Jadavpur, and Asansol. The state’s unique political landscape drew attention from across the country and it recorded 69.89% turnout in the seventh phase.
4. Jharkhand:
   • Jharkhand witnessed an impressive voter turnout of approximately 69.59% during this phase. Citizens in constituencies like Dumka actively participated in shaping the democratic process.
5. Odisha:
   • Odisha recorded a voter turnout of around 63.57% in the six Lok Sabha constituencies where polling took place. Despite the scorching heat, voters exercised their franchise, contributing to the democratic spirit.
6. Punjab:
   • Punjab saw a voter participation rate of 55.86%, with voters casting their ballots in all 13 constituencies. The state played a crucial role in determining the fate of candidates from various political parties.
7. Himachal Pradesh:

• Himachal Pradesh had voter turnout of 67.53%, with voters casting their ballots in all 4 constituencies. The state saw enthusiasm among voters in Lok Sabha election 2024 to choose their representatives for the next five years.

8. Chandigarh:

• Chandigarh saw the voter turnout of around 62.80% in the seventh phase of the election.

Lok Sabha Election 2024 Phase 7: Voter Turnout

Election Commission of India has updated the approximate voter turnout of 59.40% on their voter turnout app till 8.40 PM.

Key Candidates in Lok Sabha Election 2024 Phase 7

Let’s take a look at the key candidates in the Lok Sabha Election 2024 Phase 7 of June 1:

1. Narendra Modi:
   • Prime Minister Narendra Modi is recontesting from the Varanasi constituency. He has represented this seat since 2014 and is seeking a third term. In the 2019 elections, he secured over 63% of the total votes polled, defeating his nearest rival by nearly 4.8 lakh votes. His presence in this high-profile constituency makes it a closely watched battle.

2. Anurag Thakur:
   • Union Minister Anurag Singh Thakur is contesting from the Hamirpur constituency in Himachal Pradesh. He has been an active member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and has held various ministerial positions in the past.

3. Kangana Ranaut:
   • The renowned Bollywood actress Kangana Ranaut is trying her luck in politics by contesting from the Mandi constituency in Himachal Pradesh. Vikramaditya Singh, son of former Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh, is facing off against her. Her entry adds a touch of celebrity politics to the electoral landscape of Lok Sabha election 2024.

4. Charanjit Singh Channi:
   • Charanjit Singh Channi is the Chief Minister of Punjab and is contesting from the Jalandhar constituency. His leadership in the state has garnered attention during these elections.

5. Abhishek Banerjee:
   • Abhishek Banerjee, a prominent leader from the Trinamool Congress, is contesting from the Diamond Harbour constituency in West Bengal. He is a close relative of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

6. Misha Bharti:
   • Misha Bharti, a member of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), is contesting from the Pataliputra constituency in Bihar. She has been actively involved in politics and is seeking victory in the election.
7. Ravi Kishan: Actor and BJP candidate Ravi Kishan is contesting from Gorakhpur in Lok Sabha election 2024. This constituency holds significance as it was previously represented by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. Ravi Kishan’s popularity and the political dynamics in this region make it an interesting contest.
8. Manish Tewari: Manish Tewari, a Congress leader, is contesting from Chandigarh. The city has seen interesting political dynamics, and Tewari’s campaign was closely followed by voters.
9. Harsimrat Kaur Badal: Harsimrat Kaur Badal, former Union Minister and Shiromani Akali Dal leader, is contesting from Bathinda. Her family’s political legacy and the regional dynamics add spice to this electoral battle.

These candidates represent diverse backgrounds and political affiliations, making the Lok Sabha election 2024 an intriguing and closely watched event!

Violence and controversies in seventh phase

Certainly! Here are some notable controversies related to the seventh phase of the Lok Sabha election 2024 in India:

1. PM Modi’s Meditation Break:
   • The Congress party filed a complaint with the Election Commission of India over Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s schedule to meditate at Kanyakumari’s Rock Memorial during the seventh and final phase of voting for the Lok Sabha polls. The controversy arose due to the timing of his meditation coinciding with the election day.
2. EVM Loot and VVPAT Machine Incident:
   • In West Bengal’s South 24 Parganas, during the seventh phase of voting, a local mob looted Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and threw two Voter Verified Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) machines into a pond. This incident raised concerns about the security and integrity of the electoral process.
3. Violence During Polling in Sandeshkhali
   • During the seventh phase of polling for the Basirhat Lok Sabha constituency, widespread violence erupted between TMC and BJP supporters in strife-torn Sandeshkhali. The violence started late Friday night and continued until the polling process for Lok Sabha election 2024 began on Saturday.
   • Police resorted to lathi charges and tear gas shelling to control the situation. Three persons were injured during the clash between TMC and BJP supporters at Bayramari in Sandeshkhali, and one person was arrested in connection with the incident.
   • The riverine area had been tense since Friday night, with allegations that TMC workers, accompanied by policemen, intimidated BJP polling agents by visiting their homes. Clashes broke out, and the situation escalated during the polling day.
   • In Bhangar within the Jadavpur constituency, clashes occurred between backers of Trinamool Congress and the Indian Secular Front (ISF), with allegations of crude bombs being hurled from both sides. Police intervention ensued, triggering protests as both factions accused each other.

The seventh phase of the Lok Sabha election 2024 involved voters from several states and union territories, including Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, and Chandigarh. A total of 57 seats were up for grabs, and voters decided the fate of 904 candidates, including the Prime Minister. The election concluded on June 1, 2024, and results were declared on June 4.