1. Tripura leads with an impressive 53.04% voter turnout in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections.
2. Following closely are Meghalaya and Manipur, both reporting high percentages of voter participation.
3. As of 1 pm, the surge in voter turnout signifies strong civic engagement in these states.
Imphal, April 19: The ongoing Lok Sabha elections have witnessed a significant surge in voter turnout across various states in the country. As of 1 pm, Tripura leads with an impressive turnout of 53.04%, followed closely by Meghalaya and Manipur, both reporting high percentages.
West Bengal has also seen a substantial turnout at 50.96%, while Lakshadweep recorded the lowest turnout at 29.91%.
Notable voting percentages in states participating in the first phase include Jammu and Kashmir at 43.11%, Assam at 45.12%, and Madhya Pradesh at 44.43%.
However, amidst the electoral process, the Inner Manipur constituency has witnessed disturbing incidents of intimidation and violence.
Reports indicate that armed individuals fired shots near a polling booth in Thamnapokpi, causing voters to flee in fear.
Additionally, in areas such as Uripok and Iroishemba, agents of a political party were reportedly forced to leave polling stations. Subsequently, enraged voters at Iroishemba resorted to forcefully entering polling stations and damaging election materials.
Similar altercations and damage to Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) occurred in Kiyamgei and Khongman Zone 4.
Disturbing videos and photos circulated on social media depict EVMs lying on the ground and polling station furniture damaged.
Some videos even suggest that voters were coerced at gunpoint to vote for a particular party, while in other cases, votes had allegedly been cast by unauthorized individuals.
In contrast, Outer Manipur, particularly areas with Kuki-majority assembly segments, experienced lower voter turnout.
Saitu and Saikul reported turnouts of 13.22% and 8.58% respectively, while Henglep recorded the highest turnout at 49%.
Also Read: Election Commission Issues Notice to Tipra Motha Chief Over Controversial Post in Tripura’s 2024 Lok Sabha Elections
Churachandpur witnessed a turnout of 43.67%, and Chandel, with a mix of Naga and Kuki voters, reported a turnout of 68.63%.
In general, Meitei-dominated areas saw slightly higher turnouts compared to Kuki regions, with Khangabok in Thoubal district recording 52.68% voting.
Here are the latest updates from the first phase of the Lok Sabha elections:
1. High Voter Turnout Across States
The Lok Sabha elections witnessed a significant surge in voter turnout across various states, with Tripura leading at 53.04% by 1 pm. Meghalaya and Manipur also reported high percentages, while West Bengal witnessed a substantial turnout at 50.96%. However, Lakshadweep recorded the lowest turnout at 29.91%. Notable voting percentages include Jammu and Kashmir at 43.11%, Assam at 45.12%, and Madhya Pradesh at 44.43%.
2. Incidents of Intimidation and Violence in Manipur
In the Inner Manipur constituency, incidents of intimidation and violence have been reported from various areas. Armed men fired shots near a polling booth in Thamnapokpi, leading voters to flee. At Uripok and Iroishemba, agents of a political party were asked to leave, prompting voters at Iroishemba to forcefully enter polling stations and damage election materials. Similar incidents occurred in Kiyamgei and Khongman Zone 4, resulting in altercations and damage to EVMs.
3. Turnout in Outer Manipur
In Outer Manipur, areas with Kuki-majority assembly segments saw a low turnout, with Saitu and Saikul recording 13.22% and 8.58% respectively. However, Henglep had the highest turnout at 49%. Churachandpur recorded a turnout of 43.67%, while Chandel, with both Naga and Kuki voters, saw 68.63% turnout. Meitei-dominated areas had slightly higher turnouts than Kuki regions.
4. Updates from Tamil Nadu
Polling gradually picked up across all 39 Lok Sabha constituencies in Tamil Nadu, registering a 40.05% voter turnout by 1 pm. Incidents of minor glitches in EVMs were reported in some places, causing brief delays. The Chief Electoral Officer sought a detailed report on the death of a voter at polling booths in Salem and Kallakurichi constituencies.
5. Turnout in Assam
Assam recorded a voter turnout of 45.12% till 1 pm in the five Lok Sabha seats where elections are ongoing. Notable candidates include Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal and Lok Sabha deputy leader of opposition Gaurav Gogoi of Congress.
6. West Bengal Voter Turnout
West Bengal saw a significant voter turnout of 50.96% in the three Lok Sabha seats during the first phase of elections. Coochbehar, Jalpaiguri, and Alipurduars constituencies witnessed approximately 56.26 lakh eligible voters participating in the polling process.
7. Polling in Western Uttar Pradesh
In the first six hours of polling, an average voter turnout of 36.96% was recorded in eight constituencies of western Uttar Pradesh. The polling process proceeded without significant glitches or law-and-order issues, although there were reports of polling boycotts in some areas.
8. Voter Turnout in Bihar
Approximately 31.47% of the 75 lakh voters in four Lok Sabha constituencies in Bihar cast their votes by 1 pm on Friday. Tight security measures were in place, especially in sensitive areas.
9. Maharashtra Voting Updates
Nearly 30.6% of eligible voters cast their ballots by 1 pm across five Lok Sabha seats in Maharashtra. RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, and other prominent figures exercised their franchise.
10. Turnout in Tripura West
Tripura West Lok Sabha constituency witnessed a 52.67% voter turnout by 1 pm amid allegations of irregularities. Opposition parties alleged large-scale “rigging” across the constituency, prompting an investigation by the Election Commission.
Despite incidents of intimidation and irregularities in some areas, voter turnout has been significant across various states participating in the Lok Sabha elections.
The Election Commission continues to monitor the situation closely to ensure a free and fair electoral process.
