New Delhi: Like in the previous two phases of polling, Phase 3 of the General Elections also saw low voter turnout today. Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Assam, West Bengal, Bihar, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Goa and Chhattisgarh are the States/Union Territories where polling took place in this phase. Voting in the Anantnag-Rajouri Parliamentary Constituency in Jammu and Kashmir was rescheduled to Phase 6. Also, the Surat Parliamentary Constituency in Gujarat did not go to the polls as the candidate was elected unopposed.
The polling was held smoothly and peacefully in all States/Union Territories across the three phases which covered the entire Northeastern part of the country, Left Wing Extremism-affected and vulnerable areas in Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh, the Election Commission of India (ECI) stated.
According to the Commission, polling in the third phase of General Elections 2024 which commenced at 7 am today simultaneously across 93 Parliamentary Constituencies recorded an approximate voter turnout of 61.45% as of 8 pm.
“Though polling was till 6 PM, voters were seen in the queue at many polling stations,” the ECI explained. It said the approximate voter turnout figures as of 8 pm will continue to be further updated.
The state-wise approximate voter turnout at 8 pm is as below:
With the conclusion of Phase 3, polling is now over in 20 States/Union Territories and 283 Parliamentary Constituencies for General Elections 2024. A total of 1331 candidates were in the electoral fray in this Phase.
Voters across 11 States/Union Territories cast their vote at polling stations, braving hot weather conditions in some areas.
Starting with this phase, ECI has commenced a system of SMS alerts, WhatsApp messages, and voice calls from national and state icons, with support from major Telecom Service Providers to encourage voter participation.
In phase 3, 75 international delegates from 23 countries visited many polling stations in 6 states to witness the poll process. The delegates also witnessed the process of dispatch of polling materials and machines to the polling teams and were appreciative of the magnitude, transparency and most importantly the festive mood of voters.
– global bihari bureau
