India (Commonwealth Union)_ The world’s largest democratic exercise has successfully commenced its journey. Initiating the electoral process for the 18th Lok Sabha polls, the first phase of elections unfolded across 102 constituencies spanning 21 states and Union Territories. Marking the initiation of this monumental democratic exercise, a noteworthy 64% voter turnout was documented by the phase’s conclusion. Over 16.63 crore voters, inclusive of approximately eight crore men and women each, exercised their voting rights across nearly 200,000 polling stations. Scheduled over seven phases spanning from April 19 to June 1, these elections aim to elect 543 members to the 18th Lok Sabha, with the results slated for announcement on June.
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Among the states that participated in this electoral stage were Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, West Bengal, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Jammu and Kashmir, Lakshadweep, and Puducherry. Accordingly, the grand electoral arena featured top Indian politicians including Union ministers Nitin Gadkari, Bhupendra Yadav, Kiren Rijiju, Jitendra Singh, Arjun Ram Meghwal, and Sarbananda Sonowal, alongside contenders such as Gaurav Gogoi of the Congress, DMK’s Kanimozhi, and Tamil Nadu’s BJP chief K Annamalai.
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The Election Commission, overseeing this multifaceted electoral process unfolding over 43 days, affirmed its commitment to ensuring a seamless, transparent, and inclusive electoral exercise in subsequent phases. In the ongoing polls, the BJP-led NDA seeks to fortify its parliamentary presence while the opposition INDIA bloc aspires for a resurgence. Furthermore, in the first phase, noteworthy voter turnout figures were reported from Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh, recording 68% and 68.3% respectively, while Tamil Nadu, which conducted a single-day election, experienced a 67.2% turnout. Moreover, Rajasthan, alongside Tamil Nadu, contributed to half of the 102 seats contested, registering a turnout of 57.3%.
Later in the day, voter participation figures emerged, with Uttar Pradesh recording 59.5% and Madhya Pradesh 66.7%. Additionally, Bengal, witnessing a significant contest between the BJP and Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress, reported a robust turnout of 77.6%. In the northeastern states, high voter participation characterized the electoral landscape, with Assam at 72.3%, Meghalaya at 74.5%, Manipur at 69.2%, Arunachal Pradesh at 67.7%, and Tripura at a remarkable 80.6%.
The BJP, optimistic about securing a third consecutive term for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, anticipates gains particularly in southern states like Tamil Nadu and Bengal, where it seeks to make inroads. Conversely, the Congress, revitalizing its presence in northern states, anticipates improved performance in regions traditionally dominated by the BJP. Additionally, of the 102 seats contested, 11 were reserved for ST and 18 for SC across 17 states and four Union Territories. Accordingly, a notable turnout was observed in various regions, with Lakshadweep leading at 83.88%, followed by Tripura at 81.62% and several seats in West Bengal surpassing 80.55%. With 1625 candidates vying for victory, the electoral landscape featured key political figures from major national and regional parties. The Election Commission acknowledged the historic participation of voters in regions such as Chhattisgarh’s Bastar and the Shompen tribe in Great Nicobar, underscoring the integration of marginalized groups into the electoral process. Furthermore, in a remarkable milestone, seven members hailing from the Shompen tribe cast their votes for the first time in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. This symbolic event signifies their inclusion in the democratic process, commemorated at a dedicated polling station named “Shompen Hut.” The culmination of this grand electoral saga will be marked by the counting of votes on June
