2024 Lok Sabha Elections Commence with 24% Turnout in Phase 1

The first phase of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections kicked off on April 19, with an initial voter turnout of around 24% across the constituencies that went to the polls. The elections are being held in multiple phases, with the first phase covering 102 parliamentary seats across 21 states and union territories, including Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Delhi, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Kerala, West Bengal, Telangana, Uttarakhand, and others.

Over 16.63 crore voters are expected to cast their votes at around 1.87 lakh polling stations in Phase 1, including 35.67 lakh first-time voters. The Election Commission of India (ECI) has deployed over 18 lakh polling officials and made arrangements for 41 helicopters, 84 special trains, and roughly 1 lakh cars to transport polling and security staff. Webcasting will be done at more than half of the polling sites, and micro observers will be deployed in all of them.

Why this matters: The 2024 Lok Sabha elections are a significant event in India's democratic system, and the results will determine the composition of the next Lok Sabha, the lower house of the Indian parliament. The elections are seen as a crucial test for the ruling BJP-led NDA alliance, which is seeking a record third term under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and the opposition parties led by Congress, which have formed the INDIA bloc to challenge the ruling alliance.

Sporadic incidents of violence were reported in West Bengal, where polling was held in three seats - Cooch Behar, Jalpaiguri, and Alipurduar. In Chhattisgarh, a Barel Grenade Launcher (UBGL) cell blast was reported in the Naxal-hit Bastar region, injuring a security personnel.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi urged people to exercise their franchise. Modi tweeted, "I call upon all those whose constituencies are voting in the first phase today to turn out in record numbers and exercise their franchise." Gandhi shared a graphic of the key Congress guarantees and urged voters to strengthen democracy by defeating hatred.

Several high-profile candidates, including Union ministers and opposition leaders, are in the fray in the first phase. The BJP is targeting to sweep the northeast, the Hindi heartland, and make inroads in southern states like Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. The Congress party is also projecting a comeback in the north, buoyed by recent assembly poll victories in the south.

The ECI has provided the optional Home Voting feature for over 14.14 lakh registered voters aged 85 and up, as well as 13.89 lakh PwD voters in 102 PCs. The commission is allowing citizens to check the voter turnout via a dedicated app, which provides approximate turnout data for states and districts.

The first phase of polling saw a turnout of around 24% as of 11 am, with the highest turnout in Tripura (34.54%) and the lowest in Lakshadweep (16.33%). "The election process is going on peacefully. The feedback we are getting from all states is that there is no problem anywhere," said Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar. The counting of votes for all seven phases of the Lok Sabha elections will take place on June 4.

Key Takeaways

• The first phase of 2024 Lok Sabha elections kicked off on April 19 with 24% initial voter turnout.
• Over 16.63 crore voters expected to cast votes at 1.87 lakh polling stations in Phase 1.
• Ruling BJP-led NDA alliance seeks 3rd term, opposition INDIA bloc challenges the alliance.
• Sporadic violence reported in West Bengal and Chhattisgarh during Phase 1 polling.
• Counting of votes for all 7 phases will take place on June 4.