Elections 2024: Over 60% polling in the first phase

New Delhi: The Election Commission of India (ECI) claimed “largely peaceful” polling across 21 States and Union Territories during the first phase of elections for 102 Parliamentary Constituencies (General- 73; Scheduled Tribe- 11; Scheduled Caste -18) today. With this, the fate of 1625 candidates including 1491 males and 134 females has been sealed in the electronic voting machines.

Over 60% of the over 16.63 crore registered voters turned out to cast their votes till 7 pm today, the ECI said, adding that the voting percentage was likely to go upwards when reports from all polling stations are obtained. Final figures will be known tomorrow after the scrutiny of form 17A, the ECI said.

Also read: Elections 2024: The biggest electoral show on Earth begins in India

With this, polling has been completed for 10 States/UTs to elect the 18th Lok Sabha. 92 Assembly Constituencies in the North-Eastern states of Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim also went to polls simultaneously today.

In all 41 helicopters, 84 special trains and nearly 1 lakh vehicles were deployed to ferry polling and security personnel during the first phase. A total of 4627 Flying Squads, 5208 Statistics Surveillance Teams, 2028 Video Surveillance Teams and 1255 Video Viewing Teams kept surveillance to deal with any form of inducement of voters. Moreover, a total of 1374 inter-state and 162 international Border checkposts kept strict vigil on any illicit flow of liquor, drugs, cash and freebies. Strict surveillance was kept at sea and air routes.

Besides a large number of first-time voters, 56 villages in Bastar, the Shompen tribe of Great Nicobar too voted for the first time in elections. It may be mentioned that 35.67 lakh first-time voters were registered to cast their votes in the first phase. Additionally, there were 3.51 crore young voters in the age group 20-29 years.

 Visuals of voters standing in long queues waiting for their chance to vote were seen across the polling stations as voting began simultaneously across 102 Parliamentary Constituencies at 7 AM today.

“Polling for the first phase of the General Elections 2024 recorded high voter turnout despite the heat wave,” the Commission stated, adding that voters from various walks participated “enthusiastically in a dazzling display of civic responsibility and pride”. People were undeterred by rains in certain parts like Uddhampur, Jammu & Kashmir and waited in long queues for voting.

The voting percentage is likely to go upwards when reports from all polling stations are obtained. Final figures will be known tomorrow after the scrutiny of form 17A, the ECI said.