57.47% turnout in 5th Phase of Lok Sabha Polls amid strong security, celebrity participation

New Delhi, Srinagar: Voters from 49 constituencies across six states and two Union Territories participated in the fifth phase of the Lok Sabha elections today. The polling ended with an estimated turnout of 57.47%, ranging from a high of 73% in West Bengal (7 seats) to a low of 48.88% in Maharashtra (13 seats), despite significant participation from Bollywood celebrities.
Polling took place in Bihar (5 seats), Jharkhand (3), Maharashtra (13), Odisha (5), Uttar Pradesh (14), West Bengal (7), and the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir (1) and Ladakh (1). Key candidates included Union Ministers Piyush Goyal (Mumbai North), Smriti Irani (Amethi), and Rajnath Singh (Lucknow), among others.
The fifth phase of the General Elections 2024, which began at 7 AM today, recorded an approximate voter turnout of 57.47% by 7:45 PM. Despite hot weather in many regions, voters turned out in large numbers. Although polling officially ended at 6 PM, many voters were still in line at polling stations. Baramulla in Jammu and Kashmir saw a peaceful polling process with a turnout of 54.49% by 7:45 PM, the highest in 35 years.
Polling was conducted smoothly and peacefully across all constituencies. The Election Commission, led by CEC Rajiv Kumar along with ECs Shri Gyanesh Kumar and Shri Sukhbir Singh Sandhu, monitored the process closely and issued necessary directives throughout the day.
Stringent security measures were in place to ensure a safe voting environment. Weather conditions were generally normal except for hot conditions in isolated areas.
Provisional voter turnout figures are available on the Voter Turnout App of the Election Commission of India (ECI), which provides aggregate phase-wise figures as well as state/constituency-wise data.
The scrutiny of election papers, as per the procedure, takes place the day after polling in the presence of candidates or their authorized polling agents. Decisions regarding any repolling are made afterward. Some polling parties may return after polling day depending on geographical and logistical conditions.
The Commission will publish the final voter turnout, including a gender-wise breakdown, by May 24, 2024, after scrutiny and any necessary repolling.
In urban areas like Mumbai, Thane, Nashik, and Lucknow, low voter turnout continued as observed in the last General Elections of 2019. In Mumbai, both celebrities and ordinary citizens waited patiently to cast their votes, proudly displaying their inked fingers afterward.
Celebrities from various fields have partnered with the Commission to encourage voter participation in the General Elections 2024, sharing motivational videos on social media.
With the conclusion of phase 5, polling for General Elections 2024 is now complete in 25 states/Union Territories and 428 constituencies.