Lok Sabha elections 2024 LIVE: Phase 1 polling records nearly 64% voter turnout

Senior BJP leader and Union Minister Giriraj Singh, who is seeking re-election from Begusarai Lok Sabha seat as the NDA nominee, owns movable and immovable assets worth ₹10.16 crore, as per the affidavit filed by him.

His wife owns movable and immovable assets worth ₹4.15 crore. 

Singh filed his nomination papers from Begusarai Lok Sabha seat as the NDA nominee on Friday. Elections will be held in Begusarai, Darbhanga, Ujiarpur, Samastipur, Begusarai, Munger Lok Sabha seats of Bihar in the fourth phase on May 13.

– The PM will first hold a public meeting at 2 pm today in the Chokkahalli village of Chikkballapura, according to the Karnataka unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). 

– He will then travel to state capital Bengaluru and attend another meeting, scheduled to be held at Palace Grounds at around 4 pm.

Barely three weeks before voting on May 7, it is raining cash, drugs, alcohol – and freebies – in Goa. In the past six weeks (March 1-April 13, 2024) more than one lakh litres of alcohol, ₹15.64 crore in cash, drugs worth ₹3.23 crore and freebies adding up to ₹1.18 crore has been seized in Goa by the Election Commission of India (ECI). 

Being the country’s smallest state with only two parliamentary seats (North Goa & South Goa), the seizures in Goa are proportionately higher compared to other states – during the same period, the cash seizure in Gujarat has been ₹6.5 crore, ₹11.28 crore in National Capital Territory Delhi, ₹6.1 crore in Uttarakhand, and ₹1.47 crore in Odisha. In stark contrast, no cash, not even a penny, has been seized in Nagaland, Ladakh, Lakshadweep and Puducherry.

Assam recorded 75.95 per cent voter turnout in the first phase of polls, which was held in five parliamentary constituencies in the state on Friday. According to the Election Commission, 75.95 per cent of voters in five parliamentary constituencies – Sonitpur, Lakhimpur, Kaziranga, Dibrugarh and Jorhat, came out to exercise their franchise in the first phase of the polls. 79.48 per cent voter turnout was recorded in Jorhat parliamentary constituency, while 76.74 per cent voter turnout was recorded in Dibrugarh, 75.79 per cent in Kaziranga, 74.81 per cent in Sonitpur, and 72.65 per cent in Lakhimpur.

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav has praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi, stating that even politicians in Pakistan say they wish their country had a leader like him. 

He also alleged that India got divided due to the seeds sown by the Congress. Yadav was addressing gatherings on Friday evening during the campaigning in Hoshangabad Lok Sabha constituency in Madhya Pradesh.

He claimed that the people of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) also want to become part of India as there is a crisis of survival in the neighbouring country.

“Pakistan’s leaders, including (former PM) Nawaz Sharif, are continuously saying that they wish Narendra Modi was there (in Pakistan). If you are a leader, then you should be such that even your enemy praises you. This leader (Modi) is making us proud,” Yadav said in one of his addresses.

Hitting out at the opposition over its allegation that the Bharatiya Janata Party wants to change the Constitution, Syed Zainul Abedin Ali Khan, spiritual head and Dewan at Ajmer Sharif Dargah said on Saturday said that a false illusion is being created and making amendments is different and it cannot be linked to changing the constitution. 

“The Constitution was made in 1950. How many amendments have been made in the Parliament since then? In the interest of nation and public, if amendments are needed, they will be done. A false illusion is being created. Was the emergency imposed by Indira Gandhi in 1975 not an amendment? Making amendments cannot be linked to changing the Constitution,” he said.

 Further, praising the Bharatiya Janata Party-led Central government, Syed Zainul said that the country has been progressing in the last 10 years and the position that country has achieved in the world is the contribution of the present government.

Manipur Police arrested three persons who were involved in a firing incident near a polling station in Imphal East district, an officer said. 

The three arrested persons were involved in the firing incident at Moirangkampu Sajeb in Imphal East district in which a man was injured on Friday, the officer said. 

The three had fled from the spot in a four wheeler after the firing incident and were arrested on Friday evening less than 5 km away from the incident site.

Udhampur constituency recorded a voter turnout of 68.27 per cent as the polling for the first phase of Lok Sabha elections concluded on Friday.

Pandurang K Pole, Chief Electoral Officer, Jammu and Kashmir expressed gratitude to the voters for coming to vote despite weather challenges and appreciated the polling staff for performing duties in inclement weather.

“It is especially highlighted that due to weather latest updated reports are awaited from some of the Polling Stations, especially located in remote hilly areas of Kishtwar, Gandoh, Ramban, Dudu-Basantgarh etc, the polling percentage is likely to increase slightly,” the press release read.

On the left bank of ‘Har Ki Paudi’ in Haridwar, Uttarakhand tourism minister Satpal Maharaj organised a two-day ‘Sadbhavna Sammelan’. Thousands of people assembled for conclave on April 13 and 14, when Maharaj spoke on spirituality and importance of the Ganga for Hindus. On Saturday evening, many who attended the function bathed in the river flowing with plastic, flowers and debris. Read more

Former chief minister Ashok Chavan, who recently defected to the BJP, is struggling to keep his commitment made to the prime minister of winning the Nanded LS seat. Talking to Surendra P Gangan, Chavan dismissed the talk that there is unrest against him and alleged that local Congress leaders are instigating Marathas against him. Read more

CPM candidate from Kannur Lok Sabha seat, MV Jayarajan says, “The main enemy is BJP. We are attacking BJP but Congress leaders are joining BJP which is the main issue here. 39 leaders in Kerala have already left Congress and joined BJP… The real situation here in Kerala is that the political line of the Congress is also pro-BJP. The CM is attacking the political attitude of Congress. The KPCC president himself is ready to join BJP, which is why the CM is attacking that policy of Congress.”

As India saw its first phase of voting for the Lok Sabha Elections 2024 on Friday, two polling officials were suspended for allegedly allowing election-related malpractices in the polling booths they were assigned in the West Tripura district. 

According to Returning Officer West Tripura, Dr. Vishal Kumar, the suspended polling officers were posted in a polling station that falls under the jurisdiction of the Ramanagar assembly constituency. 

Kumar further informed that the first phase of the Lok Sabha election was held in the West parliamentary constituency, along with the by-poll in the 7-Ramnagar Assembly Constituency. 

“Belonia sub-division of South district recorded the highest voting percentage with 85.64 casting. In 7-Ramnagar Assembly Constituency where the by-elections were conducted simultaneously with general elections, the voting percentage was lowest, with 68.64 percent,” he said.

After the completion of the first phase of the Lok Sabha election, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav on Saturday took a dig at the Bharatiya Janata Party and said that the BJP’s “400 paar” film has become a super flop on the first day itself. 

Tejashwi Yadav told ANI that there is no competition in the first phase as Bihar will give shocking results this time.

“The Mahagathbandhan is winning all four seats in the first phase. We have held block wise meetings and the feedback that has come is very good the BJP’s “400 paar” film has become a super flop on the first day itself. The people of Bihar are aware and will teach them a lesson,” he said.

 “There is no competition in the first phase. We have said many times before that Bihar will give shocking results this time. They have not done anything for the people of Bihar. The promises made by Modi ji in 2014 and 2019 were not fulfilled. Now the public is tired of their statements and false promises. We have promised that we will give special package to Bihar along with special status,” Tejashwi added.

Former Deputy CM of Bihar RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav says, “Today we have a rally with Rahul Gandhi ji in Bhagalpur. Today we will do a joint rally and we all are working together. The entire ‘Mahagathbandhan’, INDIA alliance is united and this time Bihar will give good results in favor…Unemployment is the biggest issue in Bihar, there is inflation, poverty, there is an issue of investment in Bihar, factories should be set up in Bihar, there is an issue of migration…People of BJP are very worried and are speaking in confusion. There is no achievement and they say that they will destroy the Constitution. The one who will destroy the Constitution will himself be destroyed…”

A total of 60.25 percent voter turnout was recorded in all eight parliamentary constituencies of western Uttar Pradesh, where voting was held on Friday in the first phase of the Lok Sabha election.

 A total of 80 candidates–73 men and seven women–are contesting in the first phase in the state. The parliamentary constituencies that went for polling in UP on Friday included Muzaffarnagar, Nagina, Saharanpur, Kairana, Moradabad, Pilibhit, Bijnor, and Rampur. 

According to data shared by the Election Commission of India, Saharanpur recorded 65.95 percent of voter turnout, while Rampur recorded 54.77 percent, Muzaffarnagar recorded 59.29 percent, and Pilibhit recorded 61.91 percent. The voter turnout in Bijnor was recorded at 58.21 percent, Kairana at 61.17 percent, Moradabad at 60.60 percent, and Nagina at 59.54 percent.

With 56 percent voting till 5pm on Friday, Mizoram registered one of the lowest voters’ turnout in Northeastern states during the first phase of General Election. 

According to the additional chief electoral officer H Lianzela, the voting started across 1276 polling stations at 7am and it ended at 5pm. “We have recorded 56.68 percent voter turnout till 5pm, however, the percentage could increase as voting continued in some polling stations,” Lianzela said. 

He said that the voting was peaceful and no major issues were reported during the 10-hour long process. However, reports of minor technical glitches like malfunction of EVMs and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) machines came. 

“The issues were resolved immediately. EVMs and VVPAT machines were replaced,” he said.

Meghalaya has recorded an overall voter turnout of 72.33% on Friday’s polling for the two parliamentary constituencies – Shillong and Tura. 

The percentage of voter turnout this year is expected to increase much more compared to the last Lok Sabha elections held in 2019, which was at 71.42%.

Till 7pm, the turnout percentage recorded at 72.33%. Altogether there are a total of 10 candidates of which 6 are from Shillong parliamentary constituency and 4 from Tura parliamentary constituency. 

“We are yet to get the final polling percentage but once the final figure comes, we are sure that the overall polling percentage will increase,” chief electoral officer (CEO) Dr BDR Tiwari told reporters. 

He however said that the voting percentage in Shillong parliamentary constituency has increased but Tura has decreased.

Cooch Behar remained the focal point of poll-violence on the first day of Lok Sabha elections in West Bengal even as reports of clashes between the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) started pouring in soon after the voting process started at 7 pm. 

A clash broke out between workers and supporters of the two arch rivals at Chandmari village near Cooch Behar town. There were reports of stone pelting. At least one person was injured. Reports of violence also poured in from Bhetaguri in Dinhata block. 

TMC alleged that crude bombs were hurled and their block president Anant Barman was injured. He had to be hospitalized. State minister Udayan Guha rushed to the hospital.

Senior BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad on Friday charged the Congress with supporting retrograde practices such as polygamy by promising “freedom of personal laws” in its manifesto for Lok Sabha elections. 

The former Union minister, who is seeking re-election from Patna Sahib Lok Sabha seat, spoke to reporters here after voting was over for the first phase, in which he claimed “a massive groundswell of support for Prime Minister Narendra Modi”. 

“They claim that they are secular and yet they support personal laws. What do personal laws provide for other than four marriages?” asked Prasad, who had held Law and Justice portfolio in the Union cabinet.

A voter turnout of 64 per cent was recorded in the first phase of Lok Sabha elections in 102 constituencies amid sporadic incidents of violence, particularly in Manipur. The northeastern state of Tripura recorded the highest voter turnout with over 80 per cent polling while Bihar was at the bottom with less than 49 per cent turnout. Read more