Lok Sabha polls phase 7 voting begins, PM Modi among key candidates

Mangalore Today News Network

New Delhi, June 01, 2024: Voting for the seventh and last phase of Lok Sabha elections has begun on 57 seats across seven states and one Union Territory (UT). Among the notable candidates is Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is seeking a third consecutive term from Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh.

 

Voters will determine the fate of 904 candidates contesting on 57 seats in the final phase of the Lok Sabha elections.

Vote counting for Lok Sabha polls will happen on June 4. Results for Assembly elections in Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim will be declared on June 2.

All you need to know about Phase 7 voting:

1. Polling will happen in all 13 seats of Punjab and four of Himachal Pradesh, 13 constituencies in Uttar Pradesh, nine in West Bengal, eight in Bihar, six in Odisha, and three seats in Jharkhand, alongside Chandigarh. This phase will also see voting for the remaining 42 assembly constituencies of Odisha and bypolls to six Assembly seats in Himachal Pradesh.

2. In Uttar Pradesh, polling will cover 13 seats, including Varanasi, where PM Modi faces challengers like Ajay Rai (Congress), Ather Jamal Lari (BSP), and several independents. Uttar Pradesh sees a direct contest between the BJP-led NDA and the coalition of Samajwadi Party and Congress.

In South Bengal, the TMC’s dominance is being tested amid an internal power struggle. Prominent candidate Abhishek Banerjee (Diamond Harbour) faces a tough three-way contest. In Basirhat’s Sandeshkhali segment, BJP’s Rekha Patra challenges TMC veteran Haji Nurul Islam amid allegations of local atrocities and land grabs by the ruling party.

3. In Punjab, significant candidates include Preneet Kaur, Charanjit Singh Channi, Harsimrat Kaur Badal, and Ravneet Singh Bittu. For the first time since 1996, BJP and Shiromani Akali Dal are contesting independently, while Congress and AAP have their own candidates.

In Himachal Pradesh, notable candidates include Kangana Ranaut, Anurag Thakur and Vikramaditya Singh. In Bihar, key contests include Union Ninister RK Singh, veteran BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad, and Misa Bharti.

4. Karakat in Bihar is witnessing a multi-cornered fight, highlighted by Bhojpuri superstar Pawan Singh, running as an independent. Other candidates include Upendra Kushwaha, Raja Ram Kushwaha (CPI-ML), and AIMIM’s Priyanka Chaudhary.

Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) patriarch and former Bihar Chief Minister Lalu Prasad’s daughter Misa Bharti is contesting against BJP’s Ram Kripal Yadav in Pataliputra. Ram Kripal, won the 2014 and 2019 elections.

5. Over 10.06 crore citizens, including 5.24 crore men, 4.82 crore women, and 3,574 third-gender electors, are eligible to vote in this phase. Voters have endured scorching temperatures to participate in the elections.

6. The first six phases, held on April 19, April 26, May 7, May 13, May 20, and May 25, saw turnout rates of 66.1 per cent, 66.7 per cent, 61.0 per cent, 67.3 per cent, 60.5 per cent, and 63.4 per cent, respectively. A total of 969 million people are registered to vote in this election.

7. Polling parties have been dispatched with machines and materials to respective stations. The 1.09 lakh polling stations are equipped with shade, drinking water, ramps, and toilets to ensure a comfortable voting environment. Measures are in place to handle adverse weather conditions.

Assured minimum facilities like water, shed, toilets, ramps, volunteers, wheelchairs, and electricity are in place to ensure that every voter, including elderly and persons with disabilities, can cast their vote with ease.

8. A total of 201 international border check posts and 906 inter-state border check posts are keeping strict vigil on any illicit flow of liquor, drugs, cash and freebies. Strict surveillance has been kept at sea and air routes.

A total of 2,707 flying squads, 2,799 static surveillance teams, 1,080 surveillance teams and 560 video viewing teams are keeping surveillance round the clock to strictly and swiftly deal with any form of inducement of voters.

9. Saturday’s voting will mark the end to the marathon polling process that began on April 19 and has already covered 486 Lok Sabha seats in 28 states and Union territories.

This phase marks the end of a marathon polling process that began on April 19, covering 486 Lok Sabha seats in 28 states and Union territories. Concurrent elections were held for the assemblies of Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, and Sikkim.

10. Campaigning for the final phase concluded on Thursday evening. While PM Modi accused the Congress and the INDIA bloc of corruption, fanning anti-Hindu sentiments and dynastic politics, the Opposition, in turn, labelled the BJP as anti-farmer and anti-youth, and warned of constitutional changes if the party wins.

Courtesy: India Today