Lok Sabha Elections Phase 4: Over 40% average voter turnout by 1 PM

In the fourth phase of polling, around 40% of the voting has occurred across nine states and one Union Territory as of 1 pm. The polling for the ongoing Lok Sabha elections is currently in progress across 96 Lok Sabha constituencies. Voting is taking place across Andhra Pradesh (25 seats), Bihar (5 seats), Jharkhand (4 seats), Madhya Pradesh (8 seats), Maharashtra (11 seats), Odisha (4 seats), Telangana (17 seats), Uttar Pradesh (13 seats), West Bengal (8 seats), and Jammu and Kashmir (1 seat).

According to the Election Commission of India's Voter Turnout app, the approximate polling percentage stood at 40.32%. Among these, the highest voter turnout was recorded in West Bengal at 51.87%, followed by Madhya Pradesh (48.52%), Jharkhand (43.80%), Uttar Pradesh (39.68%), and Bihar (34.44%), respectively.

Additionally, all 175 seats of the State Legislative Assembly of Andhra Pradesh and 28 seats of the State Legislative Assembly of Odisha are being voted on simultaneously on May 13th. The Election Commission extended the polling time in specific assembly segments of 17 parliamentary constituencies in Telangana (from 7 am to 6 pm) to encourage higher voter participation.

Voter Turnout in Uttar Pradesh as of 1 pm today:

In Uttar Pradesh, the highest voter turnout was registered in the Kheri Lok Sabha constituency at 43.31%. Following closely were Dhaurahra (43.25%), Kannauj (43.13%), Sitapur (42.65%), Bahraich (40.68%), Farrukhabad (40.39%), Hardoi (39.45%), Misrikh (38.94%), Unnao (38.69%), Akbarpur (38.20%), Etawah (37.68%), Shahjahanpur (36.34%), and Kanpur (33.84%).

Voter Turnout in Madhya Pradesh as of 1 pm today:

In the central Hindi-speaking region, Dewas witnessed the highest voter turnout at 52.11%, with Khargone following closely at 51.48%. Ratlam saw a voter turnout of 51.13%, trailed by Mandsour (50.39%), Ujjain (49.71%), Dhar (49.37%), and Khandwa (48.15%).

Voter Turnout in Maharashtra as of 1 pm today:

Voting activity remains subdued in the western state, with the highest voting percentage recorded in Nandurbar at 37.33%. Following this were Jalna (34.42%), Beed (33.65%) Aurangabad (32.37%), Raver (32.02%), Jalgaon (31.70%), Shirdi (30.49%), Ahmednagar (29.45%), Maval (27.14%), Shirur (26.62%), and Pune (26.48%).

In phase 4 of the Lok Sabha Elections 2024, a total of 1717 candidates from 10 States/Union Territories are set to compete. The average number of candidates contesting in a PC during this phase is 18.

Additionally, there are more than 12.49 lakh registered voters aged 85 years and above, along with 19.99 lakh Persons with Disabilities (PwD) voters for phase 4. They have been given the opportunity to vote from their homes for their convenience.

In this phase, non-aligned parties such as Naveen Patnaik's Biju Janata Dal and YS Jagan Mohan Reddy's YSR Congress play a significant role. These parties have not formally allied with either the ruling coalition or the opposition bloc. However, they have provided "issue-based support" to the central government on several occasions in parliament.

Among the prominent Opposition leaders participating in today's elections are Mohua Moitra from the Trinamool Congress, aiming to return to parliament following her suspension related to the alleged cash-for-questions matter. Also vying for seats are Akhilesh Yadav from the Samajwadi Party, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury from the Congress, Shatrughan Sinha from the Trinamool Congress, and Omar Abdullah from the National Conference.

The upcoming election phase is scheduled for May 20, and the vote counting will take place on June 4 after the final phase of the election concludes on June 1.