Lok Sabha Election 2024 Highlights: BJP fixes signage calling 'Sheesh Mahal-Corruption Ka Adda' near CM Kejriwal's residence

Bypolls will be held in six Himachal Pradesh assembly seats, which fell vacant after disqualification of rebel Congress MLAs, on June 1.

EVMs, and VVPATs machines are being sealed at a polling station in Raiganj as voting for the second phase of Lok Sabha elections concludes.

Assam 70.66%
Bihar 53.03%
Chhattisgarh 72.13%
Jammu And Kashmir 67.22%
Karnataka 63.90%
Kerala 63.97%
Madhya Pradesh 54.83%
Maharashtra 53.51%
Manipur 76.06%
Rajasthan 59.19%
Tripura 77.53%
Uttar Pradesh 52.74%
West Bengal 71.84%

Assam 70.66%
Bihar 53.03%
Chhattisgarh 72.13%
Jammu And Kashmir 67.22%
Karnataka 63.90%
Kerala 63.97%
Madhya Pradesh 54.83%
Maharashtra 53.51%
Manipur 76.06%
Rajasthan 59.19%
Tripura 77.53%
Uttar Pradesh 52.74%
West Bengal 71.84%

Polling concludes in all 20 Lok Sabha seats in Kerala.

EVMs, and VVPATs machines are being sealed at a polling station in Mauganj as voting for the second phase of Lok Sabha elections concludes.

Uttar Pradesh: The Presiding officer at a polling booth in Aligarh, Ajay Kumar said, "Elections have been concluded peacefully. Voting has been closed. EVMs will be sent to the strong room."

Union Home Minister Amit Shah said while addressing a public rally in Durg, Chhattisgarh said, "I want to tell Rahul Gandhi that if there's any party who is against OBCs then, it is Congress. They were against the Mandal Commission. It was PM Modi who established the Backward Classes Commission. I want to assure you all that BJP will never end reservation of SCs, STs and OBCs; this is PM Modi's guarantee."

Lok Sabha Elections 2024: "When the Congress, the RJD and other INDIA bloc parties were in power, the poor, backwards and Dalits used to be deprived of their votes through booth capture. With the introduction of Electronic Voting Machines, they are no longer able to play their old game. Hence, they committed the sin of creating distrust against EVMs," alleged PM Modi while addressing a rally in Bihar's Araria earlier today.

"But today, the highest court of the country has delivered a verdict a few hours earlier which comes as a tight slap (karara tamacha) on these parties", he said, referring to the judgment by which pleas seeking cross-verification of votes cast through EVMs with VVPAT have been rejected.

Chhattisgarh: EVMs, and VVPATs machines are being sealed at a polling station in Rajnandgaon as voting for the second phase of Lok Sabha elections concludes.

EVMs, and VVPATs machines are being sealed at a polling station in Ernakulam as voting for the second phase of Lok Sabha elections concludes.

Voting concludes in Uttar Pradesh's Aligarh for the second phase of Lok Sabha elections.

The process of filing nomination papers for five Lok Sabha constituencies and 35 Odisha Assembly segments to be held on May 20 started on Friday with the Election Commission of India and Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) issuing the notification in this regard. The five Lok Sabha constituencies are Bargarh, Sundergarh (ST), Bolangir, Kandhamal and Aska Lok Sabha constituencies along with 35 assembly segments under the Lok Sabha constituencies.

"As recommended by the Election Commission of India, in pursuance of sub-section (2) of Section 15 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 (43 of 1951), the Governor of the State of Odisha is, hereby, pleased to call upon...," the chief secretary said in a notification.

As per the notifications, May 3 is the last date for making nominations while scrutiny of nominations will be done on the next day. Candidates can withdraw their nominations on or before May 6.

Despite the scorching heat, polling stations across the State of Chhattisgarh witnessed large numbers of enthusiastic citizens waiting to cast their votes in the second phase of the Lok Sabha elections on Friday.

Amidst sweltering temperatures, many voters emphasised the importance of casting their votes, urging others to do the same and stressing the direct impact of government decisions on their lives.

Despite the discomfort, their commitment to participating in the electoral process remained unwavering. In this fervour for democracy, voters unite, emphasising the significance of each ballot cast amidst the heat of electoral fervour.

A voter turnout of 53.51 per cent was recorded till 5 pm in eight constituencies of Maharashtra in the second phase of Lok Sabha elections on Friday, officials said. Voting was held between 7 am and 6 pm in Akola, Amravati, Buldhana, Wardha and Yavatmal-Washim seats in Vidarbha (eastern Maharashtra) and Hingoli, Nanded and Parbhani constituencies in the central Marathwada region. Till 5 pm, Wardha recorded 56.66 per cent turnout, Amravati 54.50, Yavatmal-Washim 54.04, Parbhani 53.79, Akola 52.49, Nanded 52.47, Buldhana 52.24 and Hingoli 52.03, election officials said.

Manipur: Voting concludes in Ukhrul for the second phase of Lok Sabha elections.

Assam: Voting concludes in Amolapatty, Nagaon for the second phase of Lok Sabha elections. EVMs, and VVPATs machines are being sealed.

Senior citizens, including a 94-year-old woman, cast votes at a polling station in the Ukhrul district of Outer Manipur for the second phase of the Lok Sabha elections on Friday.
Volunteers were seen assisting the elderly at the polling station in Manipur as polling commenced for the remaining part of the Outer Manipur parliamentary constituency on Friday.

Another senior citizen also cast her vote at the polling station after she was assisted to the polling station by her family members.

The voting is taking place at 857 polling stations across 13 assembly segments in eight districts in the second phase today.

Meanwhile, another elderly woman who cast her vote for the Darjeeling Parliamentary Constituency in West Bengal expressed happiness and said that the polling had been taking place in a good and peaceful manner.

Chhattisgarh: While addressing a public rally in Bemetara, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said, " Congress was against the formation of Chhattisgarh, BJP leader and former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee formed Chhattisgarh...within 20 years, 'Bimaru' Chhattisgarh was changed into developed Chhattisgarh by BJP govt..."

Amroha54.36%Meerut54.62ºghpat52.74%Ghaziabad48.21%G B Nagar51.66%Bulandshahr54.34%Aligarh54.36%Mathura46.96%Average52.15%

MH 53.5%
Manipur 76.06%
Rajasthan 59.19%
Tripura 76.23%
UP 52.64%
West Bengal 71.04%

J&K 67.22%Karnataka 63.9%Kerala 63.97%MP 54.83%

Karnataka: 63.9%
Assam: 70.66%
Bihar: 53.03%
Chhattisgarh: 72.13%

For the first time, the newly settled Bru voters of Tripura exercised their franchise for the 2024 general elections to Lok Sabha.

Earlier, they had voted in the assembly elections held last year in the month of March.

The Bru migrants who had been staying in six relief camps of North Tripura district till 2020 now received permanent settlement in 12 locations across the state.

Since the morning, eligible voters from the Bru community turned up in large numbers in the polling stations. At Goenang Para polling station in Tirthamukh area under Gomati district, hundreds of Bru voters cast their votes.

Speaking to media persons after casting his vote, a Bru community voter said, "We have never voted in the MP elections of Tripura. We are very happy to participate in the democratic exercise. The total number of voters in this particular polling station stands at 609."

Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia's son, Mahanaryaman Scindia danced with people during election campaigning in Guna.

Rajasthan Minister Rajyavardhan Rathore said, "We are assured that we will win 25 seats out of 25 in Rajasthan, the reason being the appeasement, loot by the congress MLAs and paper leaks in the last five years when it was Congress govt in the state. On the other hand, it's PM Modi's developmental, welfare works especially the in-principle approval of Rs 1 lakh crore for the drinking and irrigation water... Congress leaders are leaving them and joining the BJP, who will blame them? When they see that they have to work under Rahul Gandhi, who would like to work under him who has no vision or intention and must go on leave every week. Every party in the INDI alliance are contesting to have their existence and not for the people..."

Vasanth Kumar, Advocate & BJP legal cell Convenor said, " Today 5 complaints were lodged with the Election Commission. One is canvassing and speaking to workers by CM Siddaramaiah inside a polling booth in Mysuru, another complaint is, in a polling booth in Kolar constituency, one ex-councillor Venkatesh is distributing cash to voters, another complaint is AICC Youth President Srinivas is protesting. Today is polling day so he is violating Model Code of Conduct."

Voters queue up at a polling booth in Karbi Anglong, an autonomous hill district of Assam. Voting is underway in five parliamentary constituencies of Assam in the second phase of polls today.

Actor Mithun Chakraborty participated in BJP's campaign in Kandi in West Bengal’s Murshidabad earlier today.

Narsinghpur, Madhya Pradesh: After casting his vote Actor Ashutosh Rana said, "...I would like to say that wherever you are, must exercise your voting franchise as through this you are going to construct your future and will be setting your destiny. So, if our ancestors have given us the blessing of freedom, then the responsibility of retaining and blossoming it is on us..."

Addressing a public rally in Bihar's Munger, PM Modi said, "Through the Inheritance Tax, Congress and RJD will loot your wealth and distribute it to their special vote bank. The whole country is worried. Every youth and old parent is worried. The country is saying, 'Congress ki loot, Zindagi ke sath bhi, Zindagi ke baad bhi'... They will loot even after death. RJD is walking shoulder-to-shoulder with the Congress in this scheme..."

50.25% overall voter turnout till 3 pm in Phase 2 polling has been recorded.

Addressing a public meeting in Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath said, "Congress and INDI allaince are conspiring to divide the nation again. Will this country accept this conspiracy?... Along with the inheritance tax, Congress has said one more thing in its manifesto. They have said that "we will give freedom to minorities to eat whatever they want". This means they'll give a free hand to cow slaughtering. Will you give a free hand to cow slaughtering? Look at these shameless people, and how they are playing with the faith of the country. The cow to which we believe as our mother, they will give that cow to be slaughtered by butchers."

Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh: On the Supreme Court's decision regarding EVM, Union Minister Anurag Thakur said, "We welcome the decision of the Supreme Court. The opposition tried to spread confusion and blame EVM for its defeat but now the Supreme Court has made it very clear and has rejected the petition... My request to the opposition is that if they want to fight elections, then fight on issues, fight on ideology. We are working to take India forward..."

A voter turnout of 63.92 per cent was recorded till 3 pm on Friday in three Lok Sabha constituencies, all having Naxalite presence, in Chhattisgarh in the second phase of general elections on Friday, an official said. "Amid tight security, polling began in Kanker, Rajnandgaon and Mahasamund Lok Sabha constituencies at 7 am and was underway smoothly. Till 3 pm, 63.92 per cent polling has been registered," the official said. Voting concluded at those places where polling time was till 3 pm, he said. The tribal-dominated Kanker seat recorded 67.50 per cent turnout, Mahasamund 63.30 percent and Rajnandgaon 61.34 percent, he said.

Addressing a public rally in Bihar's Munger, PM Modi said, "The Congress now has an evil eye on your property. Congress says that they will survey the houses and land of farmers and implement Inheritance Tax... Congress has come up with such a law that you will not be able to give your land and property to your children. The 'Guru' of the 'Shehzade' is saying that they will grab more than half of your property if the Congress comes to power... During all this discussion, the RJD is silent because they also want to be a participant in its property and enjoy it..."

As Supreme Court rejects plea for 100% EVM-VVPAT verification, Delhi Minister and AAP leader Saurabh Bharadwaj said, " Central govt forms Election Commission, PM and a minister from Central govt appoint Election Commissioner. If today, Central govt says that all VVPATs should be counted then Election Commission will agree. The problem is when the issue goes to Court, Election Commission, Central govt and BJP oppose this..."

Maharashtra records the lowest polling with 43.01% while Tripura records the highest voter turnout with 68.92%.

Assam 60.32%
Bihar 44.24%
Chhattisgarh 63.32%
Jammu And Kashmir 57.76%
Karnataka 50.93%
Kerala 51.64%
Madhya Pradesh 46.50%
Maharashtra 43.01%
Manipur 68.48%
Rajasthan 50.27%
Tripura 68.92%
Uttar Pradesh 44.13%
West Bengal 60.60%

Madhya Pradesh recorded 46.50 per cent voter turnout till 3 pm in the second phase of polling for six parliamentary seats in the state, according to the data released by the Election Commission of India.

The polling for the six parliamentary seats-- Tikamgarh (SC), Damoh, Khajuraho, Satna, Rewa and Hoshangabad-- began on Friday at 7 am in the state.

Of these, Hoshangabad is leading the voter turnout charts with 55.79 per cent voting followed by Tikamgarh 48.76 per cent, Satna 47.68 per cent, Khajuraho 43.89 per cent Damoh 45.69 per cent, and Rewa 37.55 per cent till 3 pm so far in the state.

Aligarh recorded 44.08% polling while Mathura recorded 39.45% polling till 3 pm.

Ghaziabad recorded 41.13% polling while Gautam Buddh Nagar and Bulandshahr recorder 44.08% and 44.54% polling till 3 pm.

Amroha recorded 51.44% polling at 3 pm while Meerut and Baghpat recorderd 47.52% and 42.92% polling respectively.

Darjeeling recorded 61.9% polling at 3 pm while it was 60.2% at Raiganj and 59.5% at Balurghat.

Average Polling Percentage upto 3pm in Tripura East (ST) recorded 69.48%.

Addressing a public rally in Munger, Bihar CM Nitish Kumar said, "We are doing development work in all departments, from education to health to infrastructure...The work has been done by us and he (Tejashwi Yadav) is asking for votes...We gave him a chance twice but then we removed him. We (JDU-BJP) have always been together and we will remain together always..."

He said, "Munger is a land of culture and heritage. The world is recognising that this is the era of India."

BJD MLA Parsuram Dhada joined BJP in Bhubaneswar, Odisha earlier today in the presence of state party chief Manmohan Samal and former Union Minister Pratap Chandra Sarangi.

“People of this nation, and especially Uttar Pradesh, have made up their mind to re-elect Narendra Modi as Prime Minister for the third time. What we feel is that by 2047, we will be a developed nation,” said BJP MP and candidate from Gautam Buddh Nagar, Mahesh Sharma.

"You all know he (PM Modi) has carried out several development works across the country. He has also helped Bihar and I thank PM Modi for it. You all should remember this that we have been together since 2005 to serve Bihar," said Bihar CM Nitish Kumar addressing an election rally in Munger.