Lok Sabha Elections 2024 Phase 4 Voter Turnout: In the fourth phase of Lok Sabha polls covering 96 constituencies across 10 states and Union Territories, a voter turnout of 64 per cent was recorded on Monday with several regions witnessing incidents of violence, particularly in Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal. According to approximate trends released by the Election Commission of India (ECI), West Bengal recorded the highest turnout with 76.68 per cent despite clashes reported in areas between ruling TMC and BJP's workers.

Check out the state-wise turnout in the fourth phase of Lok Sabha elections 2024 (Provisional trends as ECI's Turnout App)

State/UT Voter Turnout Percentage (Overall: 64.13%)
Andhra Pradesh 68.32%
Bihar 56.87%
Jammu & Kashmir 37.93%
Madhya Pradesh 70.68%
Maharashtra 57.84%
Odisha 64.81%
Telangana
62.28%
Uttar Pradesh 58.05%
West Bengal
76.68%
Jharkhand 64.59%

Lok Sabha Elections 2024, Phase 4: Highest Polling In Srinagar Since 1998

In Jammu and Kashmir, the Srinagar seat went to polls today and at 37.93%, it is the highest turnout since the 1998 elections. A yearly Gross Voter turnout of Srinagar shared by the ECI is as follows: 1996 - 40.94%, 1998 - 30.06%, 1999 - 11.93%, 2004 -  18.57%, 2009 - 25.55%, 2014 - 25.86%, and 2019 - 14.43%.

This was the first general election in the valley after the abrogation of Article 370. Polling remained peaceful while three generations of the Abdullah family cast their votes in the Srinagar Lok Sabha constituency.

Lok Sabha Elections 2024, Phase 4: Poll Violence In Andhra Pradesh, Bengal. Maoists In Jharkhand Attempt To Disrupt Voting

In Telangana's Hyderabad Lok Sabha seat, an FIR was lodged in BJP candidate K Madhavi Latha after a video emerged showing her asking burqa-clad women voters to reveal their faces for identity verification, prompting action from election authorities. More On It | BJP's Madhavi Latha Caught On Camera Removing Women's Burqas To 'Check Identity', FIR Lodged In Hyderabad

In Andhra Pradesh, the TDP and YSRCP traded accusations of violence, particularly in Palnadu, Kadapa, and Annamayya districts. The YSRCP lodged complaints with the Election Commission, alleging poll code violations by the TDP in various assembly segments, news agency PTI reported.

Tensions escalated in Andhra Pradesh's Vemuru constituency, where the YSRCP accused the TDP of capturing give polling booths. Additionally, incidents of violence were reported in various parts of the state, including attacks on polling agents and voters.  The ruling party also alleged that the polling officer of booth number 57 in Kuppam colluded with the opposition TDP leaders to allow them to rig polls, as reported by PTI. According to a police official, An EVM was destroyed while cars belonging to the ruling party and TDP were damaged at Dalavaipalli village in Railway Kodur constituency.

West Bengal witnessed sporadic violence as TMC and BJP workers clashed in areas under Birbhum and Bardhaman-Durgapur Lok Sabha seats. The Election Commission received 1,088 complaints of EVM malfunctioning and obstruction of poll agents, although it maintained that overall voting in the state was peaceful. The complaints alleged instances of EVM malfunctioning and obstruction of agents from entering booths, PTI reported.

In a series of violent events, stones were hurled at the convoy of BJP's Bardhaman-Durgapur candidate, Dilip Ghosh, at two different locations. Ghosh himself faced heckling from TMC activists, as reported by PTI citing sources. Trouble brewed in Nanoor under the Birbhum Lok Sabha seat, where BJP workers clashed with TMC activists following alleged prevention of saffron party polling agents from accessing booths. A similar scenario unfolded in the Chapra area of the Krishnanagar constituency, where BJP workers purportedly endured assaults by TMC activists. BJP candidate Amrita Roy was compelled to accompany two injured individuals to the Chapra police station, sources told PTI. Denying the accusations, the TMC, BJP, and Congress-CPI (M) alliance lodged separate complaints detailing incidents of poll violence, voter intimidation, and assaults on poll agents, marking a turbulent polling day. ALSO READ | Poll Violence In Bengal: Murder, Voter Intimidation Mar Lok Sabha Election As TMC, BJP, CPI-M Trade Blames

In Odisha, EVM glitches were reported in several places, prompting the replacement of 65 Ballot Units, 83 Control Units, and 110 VVPATs, most of the replacements were done during the mock poll exercise before the commencement of real voting at 7 am. The Election Commission suspended two polling officials in the state for dereliction of duty, according to the chief electoral officer. 

Uttar Pradesh witnessed instances of poll boycotts in some villages of Shahjahanpur, where residents protested against the lack of infrastructure and development.

In Jharkhand, security forces foiled attempts by Maoists to disrupt polling by obstructing access to voting booths in remote areas of West Singhbhum district. Maoists fell a tree and blocked a road leading to remote Sonapi and Morangponga areas of West Singhbhum district, PTI reported.

With the conclusion of phase four, polling has now been completed in 379 out of 543 Lok Sabha seats. The voter turnout in the first three phases was recorded at 66.14 per cent, 66.71 per cent, and 65.68 per cent, respectively.

The next phases of polling are scheduled for May 20, May 25, and June 1, with the counting of votes set for June 4.