Lok Sabha

1. Second phase of Lok Sabha elections on Friday.
2. 88 constituencies across 12 states and Jammu and Kashmir.
3. Key candidates: Rahul Gandhi, Shashi Tharoor.

New Delhi, April 26: On Friday, the second phase of the seven-phase Lok Sabha elections will take place, covering 88 constituencies across 12 states and a Union territory (Jammu and Kashmir).

Notable candidates in this phase include Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Shashi Tharoor, contesting to maintain their seats in Kerala’s Wayanad and Thiruvananthapuram, respectively.

All 20 seats in Kerala will participate in the voting today.

LIVE UPDATE

  • Around 50.25 per cent of voters across 13 states and union territories had cast their votes by 3 pm in the second phase of the Lok Sabha elections on Friday.

  • The total turnout across all constituencies was recorded at 39.13% till 1 pm
  • As per the ECI, here is the voter turnout across all 13 states polling today so far:
    • Karnataka – 22.34%
    • West Bengal – 31.25%
    • Assam – 27.43%
    • UP – 24.31%
    • Chhattisgarh – 35.47%
    • MP – 28.15%
    • Rajasthan – 26.84%
    • Kerala – 25.61%
    • Tripura – 36.42%
    • J&K – 26.61%
    • Bihar – 21.68%
    • Maharashtra – 18.83%
    • Manipur – 33.22%
  • EVM “malfunctioning” was reported from polling booth number 144 in Pialkuha in Uttar Pradesh’s Hapur.
  • As voting got underway for phase 2 of the Lok Sabha elections, Union Home Minister Amit Shah took to X to urge voters to participate in the democratic process enthusiastically. In his post, he said, “I appeal to all of you, who are exercising your right to vote today, to participate in this celebration of democracy with full enthusiasm and cast votes in record numbers for a strong, secure, and prosperous nation.”He emphasised the importance of choosing a government that prioritises development, ensures border security, restores heritage, and makes decisions in the national interest. Shah said, “Every vote of yours will contribute to strengthening the foundation of a developed India.”
  • Narayana Murthy casts his vote at Bengaluru’s BES polling station. As many as 14 of Karnataka’s 28 Lok Sabha seats are polling today; the remaining will vote in the third phase (May 7).

  • The second round of polling begins for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. As many as 88 constituencies across 12 states and the Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir, are to vote.

  • Lok Sabha Election 2024 phase 2: Heavyweights in the fray

    – Wayanad MP Rahul Gandhi (Congress)

    – Thiruvananthapuram Shashi Tharoor (Congress)

    – Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar (BJP)

    – Actor-turned-politician Arun Govil (BJP)

    – Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar’s brother DK Suresh (Congress)

    – Former Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy (JDS)

    – Actor-turned-politician Hema Malini (BJP)

    – Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla (BJP)

    – Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat (BJP)

  • Polling begins in 88 Constituencies across 13 States/UTs in the second phase of the 18th Lok Sabha elections.
  • Polling is to begin at 7 am across all 20 constituencies in Kerala in the second phase of Lok Sabha polls Visuals from Pinarayi in Kannur

Voters queue outside a polling station in West Bengal’s Balurghat, one of the three West Bengal constituencies voting today, and among 42 Lok Sabha seats in the state.

  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi Urging everyone in constituencies voting today

  • Mock polling is underway in Ukhrul Outer Manipur. Voting for 13 Assembly segments under Outer Manipur seat will be held in the second phase today.
  • We have been preparing for the last 2 years. The arrangements are in place at all the booths. All arrangements have been made for the voters including drinking water, and fans. The voters need to come out and vote: Rajiv Kumar
  • Mock polling is being carried out at a polling booth in Kerala’s Thiruvananthapuram.Congress’s Shashi Tharoor is the 2-term and incumbent MP from here and is up against Union Rajeev Chandrasekhar of the BJP.
  • In the second phase, as many as 1202 candidates are in the fray. A total of 158.8 million (15.88 crore) people, including 32.8 million (3.28 crore) young voters and 3.4 million (34 lakh) first-timers, are eligible to vote in this leg.Voting for the first phase was held on April 19, for 102 seats in 21 states and UTs.