
Voting for the fifth phase of the ongoing Lok Sabha elections 2024 began on Monday morning across 49 parliamentary constituencies in six states and two Union Territories (UTs). The process is being conducted under tight security and detailed arrangements. Voting commenced at 7 am and will continue until 6 pm, with those in line by the closing time still permitted to vote.
Simultaneously, according to the Election Commission of India (ECI), polling for 35 assembly constituencies of the Odisha legislative assembly is also taking place on Monday. The ECI reported that over 8.95 crore voters, including 4.69 crore males, 4.26 crore females, and 5,409 third-gender electors, will determine the fate of 695 candidates in this phase.
Key contests are expected in various constituencies, with prominent leaders such as Rahul Gandhi, BJP leaders Rajnath Singh, Smriti Irani, Rajiv Pratap Rudy, Piyush Goyal, Ujjwal Nikam, Karan Bhushan Singh, LJP (Ramvilas) chief Chirag Paswan, JKNC chief Omar Abdullah, and RJD leader Rohini Acharya vying for electoral success. The eight states/UTs participating in this phase are Bihar, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal.
This phase includes major cities like Mumbai, Thane, and Lucknow, areas previously marked by low voter turnout. The commission has specifically urged these urban voters to participate in greater numbers to improve turnout. Of the 49 Lok Sabha seats, 14 are from Uttar Pradesh, 13 from Maharashtra, 7 from West Bengal, 5 from Bihar, 3 from Jharkhand, 5 from Odisha, and one each from Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.
To ensure a peaceful voting environment, a total of 2,000 flying squads, 2,105 static surveillance teams, 881 video surveillance teams, and 502 video viewing teams are monitoring the 94,732 polling stations. Additionally, 216 international border check posts and 565 inter-state border check posts are in place to prevent the illicit flow of liquor, drugs, cash, and freebies. Surveillance is also being maintained over sea and air routes.
The ECI has ensured that polling stations are equipped with amenities such as shade, drinking water, ramps, and toilets to provide a comfortable and secure environment for voters. Officials have been instructed to take measures to manage hot weather conditions where forecasted.
The Commission has called upon voters to turn out in larger numbers and vote with responsibility and pride. So far, the Lok Sabha Elections 2024 have seen a voter turnout of about 66.95 per cent. Approximately 451 million people have already voted in the first four phases of the elections.
The ECI has collaborated with various prominent figures to motivate and encourage voters to cast their ballots. The remaining phases of the elections will continue until June 1, with the counting of votes scheduled for June 4.
Polling in 23 states/UTs and 379 parliamentary constituencies was completed smoothly in the first four phases. With the conclusion of these phases, polling for the general elections has crossed the halfway mark. Additionally, polling has been completed for the state legislative assemblies of Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Andhra Pradesh, and 28 assembly seats of the Odisha State Assembly. The results of the seven-phase Lok Sabha elections will be announced on June 4.