Lok Sabha Elections Phase 2 Polling: The second phase of polling in the Lok Sabha elections began in 88 constituencies spanning 13 states and the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir on Friday. After the polling began at 7 AM, people were queuing up to cast their votes in their respective constituencies.
Amid the voting in the second phase, a 78-year-old woman who was suffering from pneumonia arrived at the polling station to exercise her franchise in Bengaluru. She arrived at the polling station on a stretcher. The woman, Kalavati, garnered praise from people for her spirit to play her part in the electoral process.
In Bengaluru, long queues were seen outside many restaurants after they offered dosas, laddus, coffee and other food items free of cost or at discounted rates to customers who cast their vote.
Five out of 14 states and Union Territory recorded more than 60 percent voting till 4 pm for the second phase on Friday. Tripura recorded the highest voting with 68.9 percent votes while Manipur saw 68.4 percent turnout. On the other hand, Bihar, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh trailed behind other states in voter turnout at 4 pm.
As per the Election Commission, Tripura maintained lead with highest voter turnout at 54.47 per cent while it remained lowest in Maharashtra at 31.77 per cent. A voter turnout of 35.73 per cent was recorded till 1 pm in the eight parliamentary constituencies of Uttar Pradesh in phase two of the Lok Sabha elections on Friday.