Amid clashes and EVM issues, the voting is going on for the Lok Sabha Election 2024
- Posted on April 19, 2024
- News
- By Arijit Dutta
- 233 Views
Voting for the first phase of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections is underway across 21 states and UTs. Reports of clashes, EVM glitches, and poll boycotts have emerged even as prominent candidates cast their votes.
The first stage of the 2024 parliamentary elections started today in 21 states and Union Territories. Citizens lined up in queues right from 7 am to this significant election, which will determine the new government at the centre.
The polling day was not without incidents of violence and contestants lodging complaints about EVM malfunctioning and other issues from various regions. In Cooch Behar of West Bengal, a fight began between BJP and TMC workers, with the TMC saying that the BJP used force during the first phase of the voting.
Some candidates also experienced EVM glitches. A village located in Uttar Pradesh's Muzaffarnagar held a boycott of voting due to inadequate development and roads.
Among the prominent contestants today were P Chidambaram and Mr Kamal Nath's son from Chhindwara. Veteran actor Rajinikanth was one of the main people who came to vote in Chennai.
Although, at times, it was plagued with problems, voting gradually picked up as the day went on across the states. By 9 am, Madhya Pradesh and Assam were leading the chart with their 14% and over 5% voter turnouts, respectively. The turnout in Tamil Nadu in the corresponding time period to that was 12.55%.
Also Read: Uttarakhand Lok Sabha Polls 2024: BJP vs Congress Battle in First Phase
Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised the first phase of polling and exuded the belief that people will give his party a chance. Another interesting aspect is the opposition INDIA coalition that also seems confident about the coming elections.
This is the first among the seven-phased elections of the Lok Sabha being held from now till May 31 this year. On June 4, the counting of votes will be held. A total of 102 constituencies in the country went ahead with their ballots today to choose their representatives.