Lok Sabha Polls, Phase 2: Voting Concludes In 88 Constituencies Amid EVM Glitches And Village Boycotts

Lok Sabha Polls, Phase 2: The second phase concluded with voting in 88 constituencies. EVM malfunctions delayed polling in Kerala, villages in Uttar Pradesh's Mathura, Rajasthan's Banswara and Maharashtra's Parbhani boycotted polls.

Polling has concluded in 88 constituencies across 13 states and union territories in the second phase of the Lok Sabha elections. In Kerala and Karnataka, voters formed long queues outside polling booths as soon as voting commenced. However, there were reports of Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) breakdowns in various booths across Kerala, leading to delays in the election process. 

In the northern region, polling took place for 13 Lok Sabha seats in Rajasthan, the Jammu constituency in Jammu and Kashmir, and eight seats in Uttar Pradesh. Additionally, voting was held in several constituencies in the east, including Tripura East Lok Sabha constituency, the remaining part of the Outer Manipur parliamentary seat, five Lok Sabha seats in Assam, three constituencies in northern West Bengal, and five Lok Sabha seats in Bihar.

In Karnataka, notable personalities including Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, software industry icon N R Narayana Murthy, his wife and Rajya Sabha member Sudha Murty, former cricketer Rahul Dravid, and actor Prakash Raj were among the early voters in the 14 Lok Sabha constituencies. Sitharaman urged everyone to cast their votes, saying, "Everyone should come out of their homes and cast their vote. Yes, it can be a hot day for Bengaluru but it is worth coming out", news agency PTI reported.

In Uttar Pradesh's Mathura, Rajasthan's Banswara, and Maharashtra's Parbhani, voter disenchantment led to the boycotting of polls in some villages. Confrontations between supporters of rival candidates and instances of fake voting emerged in the Barmer-Jaisalmer Lok Sabha constituency, PTI reported. 

In Chhattisgarh, polling took place in Naxal-affected Kanker, Rajnandgaon, and Mahasamund Lok Sabha constituencies, while in Maharashtra, eight Lok Sabha constituencies are up for polling. 

Several prominent leaders from both the BJP and the opposition, including Rahul Gandhi and Shashi Tharoor of the Congress, as well as Union ministers Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Kailash Choudhary, and Rajeev Chandrasekhar, were in the fray in the 88 constituencies where polling was held today.

Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Voter Turnout Till 3 PM

Voter turnout exceeding 50 per cent marked the ongoing second phase of Lok Sabha elections, encompassing 88 seats across 13 states, as of 3 pm. However, the day was not without its share of challenges, with complaints emerging regarding glitches in Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and instances of bogus voting reported in certain booths, notably in Kerala and West Bengal. 

The Election Commission revealed that Tripura recorded the highest voting percentage at 68.92 per cent, contrasting with Maharashtra's lowest turnout of 43.01 per cent till 3 pm. Notable personalities, including Congress leader Shashi Tharoor and Union minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar, vied for electoral victory in constituencies spread across the participating states.

In Kerala, where the turnout stood at 51.64 per cent, polling was marred by sporadic incidents of EVM malfunctions and cases of fake voting, leading to delays in certain booths. Tragically, fatalities were reported in Palakkad, Alappuzha, and Malappuram districts post-voting, alongside the demise of a polling agent in Kozhikode, PTI reported.

Meanwhile, in Karnataka, innovative initiatives such as restaurants offering incentives and hospitals aiding inpatient voting showcased novel approaches to encourage voter participation. Additionally, in Madhya Pradesh and Assam, respectable turnouts of 46.68 per cent and 60.32 per cent, respectively.

Uttar Pradesh and Bihar witnessed voter turnouts of 44.13 per cent and 44.24 per cent, respectively.

In the 2019 elections, the BJP had secured victories in 52 seats, with its existing allies winning 12 seats out of the 88 in contention. The INDIA bloc constituents had clinched 23 seats in the previous general election.

The first phase of polling, held on April 19, saw a turnout of 62.37 per cent, which may still be revised upwards as votes are tallied. In 2019, the voting percentage in the first phase was 69.43 per cent, covering 91 seats.

Attention now shifts to the third phase scheduled for May 7, encompassing 94 seats across 12 states and Union territories.