World’s largest polls, Lok Sabha elections, begin in India

On Friday, the first phase of the world’s largest elections — Lok Sabha elections — began in India. The voting began for the 18^th Lok Sabha elections across 21 states and Union Territories across India.

As of 10 am, a notable 9.7 percent of voter turnout has been recorded from various states participating in the electoral process.

Which states are polling in phase 1

In the phase 1 of the Lok Sabha elections, polling booths have been set up in regions spanning across Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, West Bengal, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Jammu and Kashmir, Lakshadweep, and Puducherry.

How many voters are expected in phase 1

In the phase 1 of the Lok Sabha elections, over 16.63 crore voters, comprising more than 8 crore men and women each, are expected to exercise their franchise at approximately 2 lakh polling stations.

Notable candidates in the fray in phase 1

Among the notable candidates contesting in the first phase are Union ministers Nitin Gadkari, Bhupendra Yadav, Kiren Rijiju, Jitendra Singh, Arjun Ram Meghwal, and Sarbananda Sonowal. Additionally, Congress’s Gaurav Gogoi, DMK’s Kanimozhi, and BJP’s Tamil Nadu chief K Annamalai are vying for victory in the Lok Sabha elections.

While the BJP-led NDA is aiming for a strengthened majority, the opposition INDIA bloc is optimistic about making gains. In the previous 2019 elections, the UPA secured victory in 45 out of the 102 seats contested on Friday, while the NDA claimed 41 seats. Six of these seats have been subject to redrawn boundaries as part of the delimitation process.

The general elections to elect 543 members of the 18th Lok Sabha will unfold in seven phases, spanning from April 19 to June 1. The eagerly anticipated results will be unveiled on June 4, marking a significant milestone in India’s democratic journey.