Lok Sabha Elections 2024: First Phase Voting for 102 Constituencies

The inaugural phase of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections commenced at 7 am on Friday, April 19. This phase involves 102 constituencies from 21 states and Union Territories, who are casting their votes to choose their new parliamentary representatives.

The 2024 Lok Sabha elections are scheduled to take place in seven stages, starting from April 19 and concluding on June 1. The tallying of votes is set for June 4, with the results expected to be announced on the same day.

The first phase of voting is taking place in several states including Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and West Bengal.

In addition, voting is also underway in the Union Territories of Andaman and Nicobar, Lakshadweep, Jammu and Kashmir, and Puducherry.

Alongside the Lok Sabha elections, assembly elections are also being conducted in the north-eastern states of Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim. Arunachal Pradesh is voting for two Lok Sabha seats and its 60-member state legislative assembly, while Assam is voting for 32 assembly seats and a single Lok Sabha seat.

As per the Election Commission of India (ECI), approximately 1.87 lakh polling stations have been established, with around 18 lakh personnel deployed across the 102 constituencies participating in the polls.

An estimated 16.63 crore voters are eligible to cast their votes in the first phase of the Lok Sabha elections. They will determine the future of 1625 candidates, which include Union Ministers Nitin Gadkari, Kiren Rijiju, Bhupendra Yadav, and Arjun Ram Meghwal, among others.

The Opposition is relying on critical issues such as employment, farmers, and social justice to challenge the Narendra Modi-led NDA government. Meanwhile, the ruling BJP is aiming for a third term, highlighting the development work carried out over the past decade.

The BJP has coined the slogan "abki baar 400 par", indicating Modi's target of securing 400 seats for the NDA. On the other hand, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, considered by many as the Opposition's PM candidate, has forecasted 150 seats for the ruling party and a majority for the Congress-led INDIA alliance.