- Assam Leads with Highest Turnout, Maharashtra Records Lowest
- International Delegates Laud Transparency of Indian Electoral Process
- Special Arrangements Mitigate Hot Weather Challenges for Voters
- PM Modi Urges High Voter Participation in Ahmedabad
- Electoral Map Transforms as Phase-3 Concludes, Setting Stage for Next Stages
Srinagar, New Delhi: In the third phase of polling for the Lok Sabha polls, an approximate voter turnout of 61.45 per cent was recorded till 8 pm on Tuesday. Assam recorded the highest turnout at 75.26 per cent, followed by Goa (74.27 percent) and West Bengal (73.93 percent), the ECI said.
Maharashtra recorded the lowest turnout among the states and Union Territories with 54.77 turnout, while Bihar and Gujarat recorded 56 per cent each.
The polling in the third phase was held in 93 constituencies spread over 11 states and Union Territories. Voting was completed in 189 seats out of 543 seats in the first two phases. The next four phases will be on May 13, May 20, May 25 and June 1. The counting of votes is on June 4.
Polling in the third phase of General Elections 2024 which commenced at 7 am Tuesday simultaneously across 93 PCs recorded an approximate voter turnout of 61.45% as of 8 pm. Though polling was till 6 PM, but voters were seen in the queue at many polling stations. Voters from across 11 States/UTs participated enthusiastically to cast their vote at their polling stations, braving hot weather conditions in some areas.
Starting with this phase, ECI has commenced a system of SMS alerts, WhatsApp messages, and voice calls from national and state icons, with support from major Telecom Service Providers to encourage voter participation. With the conclusion of Phase-3, polling is now over in 20 States/UTs and 283 PCs for General Elections 2024. A total of 1331 candidates were in the electoral fray in this Phase.
In phase-3, 75 international delegates from 23 countries visited many polling stations in 6 states to witness the poll process. The delegates also witnessed the process of dispatch of polling materials and machines to the polling teams and were appreciative of the magnitude, transparency and most importantly the festive mood of voters.
Special arrangements were made to mitigate the effects of hot weather conditions including the provision of shamiyana, drinking water, medical kits, fans for convenience of voters. The Commission had made special efforts to facilitate voting amongst the tribal groups with polling stations decorated in tribal culture and local themes. Women tribal voters came out along with children to cast their vote at polling stations. In Chhattisgarh, five generations of a family voted together at a polling station in Sarguja PC in Chhattisgarh.
Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Assam, West Bengal, Bihar, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Goa and Chhattisgarh are the States/UTs where polling took place in this phase. Voting in the Anantnag-Rajouri PC in Jammu and Kashmir was rescheduled to Phase-6. Also, Surat PC in Gujarat did not go to polls as the candidate was elected unopposed.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi this morning cast his vote at a school in Ahmedabad during the third phase voting for the Lok Sabha polls. The Nishan Higher Secondary School in the city’s Ranip locality has been designated a polling booth.
The Prime Minister reached the polling station a little after 7:30 am. Union Minister Amit Shah welcomed him and the two leaders walked to the booth. A huge crowd that had gathered to catch a glimpse of PM Modi cheered from the roadside and raised slogans for him.
On his way to the voting booth, he gave his autograph to a supporter on a portrait that he had drawn of the Prime Minister.
Outside the booth, the Prime Minister urged citizens of the country to cast their votes in large numbers since it holds a big significance in a democracy. “There is great importance of ‘daan’ in our country and in the same spirit, the countrymen should vote as much as possible. Four rounds of voting are still ahead,” said PM Modi.
Ami Shah, who is contesting from Gandhinagar, cast his vote later in the day along with his family.
With the curtain falling on Phase-3, the electoral map of India witnessed a transformation. Polling concluded in 20 States/Union Territories and 283 polling centers, featuring a diverse array of 1331 candidates. As the electoral caravan continues its journey, each phase adds a new chapter to the unfolding saga of Indian democracy, enriching the tapestry of our collective aspirations and dreams.
The next phase (phase 4) polling is scheduled on May 13, 2024 in 96 PCs in 10 States/UTs.
