India (Commonwealth Union)_ As India progresses with the giant electoral exercise, the culmination of the fourth phase of voting marked a pivotal juncture in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, encompassing 96 constituencies spread across 10 states and Union Territories. Accordingly, a total of 1,717 candidates participated in this phase, with a notable 67.25% voter turnout recorded across the specified regions. The smooth execution of the electoral process involved the deployment of over 19 lakh polling officials across 1.92 lakh polling stations, facilitating the engagement of over 17.70 crore eligible voters.
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Polling was conducted across various states, including Telangana – 17, Andhra Pradesh – 25, Uttar Pradesh – 13, Bihar – 5, Jharkhand – 4, Madhya Pradesh – 8, Maharashtra – 11, Odisha – 4, West Bengal – 8, and Jammu and Kashmir – 1. Notably, this phase witnessed the commencement of major electoral activity in Kashmir since the revocation of Article 370 in August 2019. Additionally, Andhra Pradesh and Odisha also conducted elections to determine their respective state governments. Accordingly, simultaneous voting also occurred for all 175 Assembly seats in Andhra Pradesh and 28 in Odisha during this phase.
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Key contenders from both the ruling party and the opposition in this phase included notable figures such as Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav; Union ministers Giriraj Singh and Ajay Mishra; AIMIM’s Asaduddin Owaisi; Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury; TMC’s Mohua Moitra; former cricketer Yusuf Pathan of TMC; and Andhra Pradesh Congress president YS Sharmila, among others. The latest phase of voting spanned 96 constituencies across nine states and one Union Territory. The ongoing Lok Sabha elections are organized in seven phases, spanning from April 19 to June 1, with the vote counting slated for June 4.
The provisional voter turnout for the fourth phase was recorded at 67.25%, with a significant concentration of constituencies in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Additionally, Jammu and Kashmir witnessed its first election since 2019, with polling held in the Srinagar constituency. This phase witnessed the emergence of non-aligned parties such as Biju Janata Dal and the YSR Congress, contributing to the political landscape without aligning explicitly with any ruling or opposition coalition.
The distribution of voter turnout percentages varied across states, with Jammu and Kashmir recording the lowest at 37.98% and West Bengal the highest at 78.37%. Other notable turnouts include Andhra Pradesh (76.50%), Bihar (57.06%), Jharkhand (65.2%), Madhya Pradesh (70.98%), Maharashtra (59.64%), Odisha (73.97%), Telangana (64.74%), and Uttar Pradesh (58.05%). In Jammu and Kashmir, the voter turnout for the Srinagar seat reached around 37.98%, marking a significant increase compared to previous elections, attributed partly to the absence of separatist boycott calls and the prevailing atmosphere of peace. Accordingly, the voting in Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Telangana, Bihar, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal also witnessed substantial turnouts ranging from 57.06% to 78.37%.
The subsequent phases of the election are scheduled for May 20, May 25, and June 1, with the vote counting slated for June 4. The phase 4 electoral proceedings unfolded amid scrutiny of the Election Commission’s role, following notices sent to BJP and Congress chiefs regarding controversial statements made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Rahul Gandhi. Additionally, incidents of clashes and unfortunate occurrences were reported during the electoral process, underscoring the significance and intensity of the ongoing democratic exercise.
Following the polls, Prime Minister Narendra Modi commended the significant voter turnout in Srinagar. Moreover, the substantial voter turnout in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, was a testament to the democratic fervor prevailing despite regional challenges, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi attributed the high participation to the abolition of Article 370. Overall, with 96 seats contested in the fourth phase, the cumulative tally reaches 379 seats across 23 states and Union Territories, highlighting significant progress in the world’s largest electoral process.
