Lok Sabha election 2024 phase 2 HIGHLIGHTS: Polling ends, Tripura tops voter turnout, Bengal crosses 70 pc

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and BJP president JP Nadda will address election rallies in different parts of Odisha on April 28.

The Congress on Friday hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi alleging that there is no 'Modi wave' in the country, but only poison spread by him.

The top Congress leadership will discuss and finalise the party candidates for the remaining Lok Sabha seats, including Amethi and Raebareli in Uttar Pradesh, on Saturday evening, sources said on Friday.

Rajasthan: All booth centres in Ajmer were monitored through CCTV cameras during the second phase of voting today.

BJP leader CT Ravi was on Friday booked for allegedly promoting hatred and enmity between citizens through his social media post, the Election Commission said. The action was initiated by the election officials of Chikkamagaluru, they said.

CM Yogi Adityanath is also present. 

Congress CEC (Central Election Committee) meeting will be held tomorrow evening in Delhi to discuss and finalise the names of the candidates for the Lok Sabha elections.

Voting ended across India at 6 pm on Friday. Tripura topped the voter turnout list out of 13 states that went to polls today. West Bengal crossed 70 per cent mark.

"Phase Two has been too good! Gratitude to the people across India who have voted today. The unparalleled support for NDA is going to disappoint the Opposition even more. Voters want NDA’s good governance. Youth and women voters are powering the strong NDA support," PM Modi tweeted.

Uttar Pradesh: Voting concluded in Aligarh for the second phase of Lok Sabha elections.

Nearly 60 per cent voter turnout was recorded till 5 pm in 13 Lok Sabha seats of Rajasthan where polling is underway under the second phase on Friday. Barring a few incidents of confrontation and complaints of fake voting in Barmer-Jaisalmer, the voting is being held peacefully.

A five-member team of the Election Commission of India on Friday searched a helicopter used by bureaucrat-turned-politician VK Pandian in Odisha's Nabarangapur district, an official said. "No objectionable material was found in the helicopter," he said.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday slammed senior Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Digvijaya Singh for declining the invitation to attend the consecration of Ram Lalla's idol in Ayodhya, saying their move was guided purely by vote-bank politics.

BJP leader Uma Bharti cast her vote at a polling booth in Tikamgarh, Madhya Pradesh.

"There is a leader who has done scams worth Rs 12 lakh crore, Bhupesh Baghel and company did a scam in the name of lord Mahadev," Shah said.

Uttar Pradesh recorded 52.74 per cent voter turnout till 5 pm.

Balurghat: 72.30 %

Darjeeling: 71.41 %

Raiganj: 71.87 %

Assam: 70.66 %

Bihar: 53.03 %

Chhattisgarh: 72.13 %

Jammu and Kashmir: 67.22 %

Karnataka: 63.90 %

Kerala: 63.97 %

Madhya Pradesh: 54.42 %

Maharashtra: 53.51 %

Manipur: 76.06 %

Rajasthan: 59.19 %

Tripura: 76.23 %

Uttar Pradesh: 52.64 %

West Bengal: 71.84 %

Taking a dig at the BJP, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday dubbed it a "job-eater" and said the people of West Bengal would not forgive its leaders for "conspiring to snatch" the livelihood of nearly 26,000 teachers. Addressing an election rally in support of TMC's Ghatal candidate Dev, Banerjee also attacked the CPI(M) and Congress in the same breath, calling the two parties "eyes and ears" of the BJP in the state. "You have heard about maneater tigers, but have you heard about the job-eater BJP? Did you see the glee on the face of the leaders of the BJP, CPI(M) and Congress after so many people were rendered jobless by the court?" she asked the people at the rally.

"We are assured that we will win 25 seats out of 25 in Rajasthan, the reason being the appeasement, loot by the congress MLAs and paper leaks in the last five years when it was Congress govt in the state," Rajasthan Minister Rajyavardhan Rathore said.

"They are saying that they want 400 because they want to amend the Constitution. Why do they want '400 paar'?..." she asked.

The Gujarat Congress on Friday suspended from the party for six years its Surat Lok Sabha candidate Nilesh Kumbhani, whose nomination form was rejected over discrepancies leading to the BJP's Mukesh Dalal getting elected unopposed. A statement from the Congress said the party's disciplinary committee decided to suspend Kumbhani after a thorough discussion, adding it had come to the conclusion that the nomination form was rejected due to gross negligence on his part or "in connivance with the BJP".

The youngest Lok Sabha candidate in Delhi from among the three prominent parties in fray, Kuldeep Kumar of the Aam Aadmi Party, said this election is a matter of emotions and anger over the arrest of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.

"Case is booked against Tejasvi Surya MP and Candidate of Bengaluru South PC on 25.04.24 at Jayanagar PS u/s 123(3) for posting a video in 'X' handle and soliciting votes on the ground of religion," he tweeted.

"In today's polling, Wayanad is a significant seat and our popular leader Rahul Gandhi is fighting elections from there. Last time, with 4 lakh votes he (Rahul Gandhi) won, this time all victory records will be broken and we can say this with full confidence," Congress leader Pawan Khera said.

"I just want to say that every citizen has the right to cast their votes and elect the government of their choice," he said.

A voter turnout of 43.01 percent was recorded till 3 pm in eight constituencies in Maharashtra in the second phase of Lok Sabha elections on Friday, officials said. Voting started at 7 am in Akola, Amravati, Buldhana, Wardha and Yavatmal-Washim seats in Vidarbha (eastern Maharashtra) and Hingoli, Nanded and Parbhani constituencies in the central Marathwada region, and will end at 6 pm.

An estimated 60.32 per cent of 77,26,668 voters exercised their franchise till 3 pm in the five parliamentary constituencies of Assam, where polling is underway in the second phase on Friday, election officials said.

"This is a long fight regarding VVPAT, EVM and ballot paper," he said.

Assam: 60.32 %

Bihar: 44.24 %

Chhattisgarh: 63.92 %

Jammu and Kashmir: 57.76 %

Karnataka: 50.93 %

Kerala: 51.64 %

Madhya Pradesh: 46.68 %

Maharashtra: 43.01 %

Manipur: 68.48 %

Rajasthan: 50.27 %

Tripura: 68.92 %

Uttar Pradesh: 44.13 %

West Bengal: 60.60 %

The newly settled Bru migrants in Gomati, Tripura cast their votes today.

There was a fight between two parties in PollingShiva's Thumbali of Barmer during voting. As soon as information about the incident was received, police and administration reached the spot. The police dispersed the crowd. The injured in the fight was taken to the district hospital.

(With inputs from Manish B)

"From the conversation I had with the young men and women today, it is clear that every first-time voter, every youth has made up their mind that they want to choose Modi ji as their leader," he said.

As the clock strikes 2 PM, Madhya Pradesh records a notable voter turnout of 38.96% across the state, signaling active participation in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections.

Voter turnout in Madhya Pradesh constituencies:

• Damoh: With an impressive turnout, Damoh constituency recorded 37.57% voter participation by 9:00 AM, indicating strong civic engagement among its electorate.

• Hoshangabad: Leading in voter enthusiasm, Hoshangabad witnesses a significant turnout of 45.71%, showcasing robust participation in the democratic process.

• Khajuraho: Reflecting active civic responsibility, Khajuraho constituency reports a turnout of 37.89%, underscoring the electorate’s keen interest in shaping the future through voting.

• Rewa: Despite varying trends, Rewa constituency records a turnout of 31.85%, highlighting diverse voter dynamics within the state.

• Satna: Joining the league of active participation, Satna witnessed a voter turnout of 40.83%, demonstrating widespread engagement among voters in the region.

• Tikamgarh: Showing substantial interest, Tikamgarh constituency reports a turnout of 40.21%, indicating a strong turnout in the ongoing electoral exercise.

As the clock strikes 1 PM, Tripura, Manipur, and Chhattisgarh emerge as frontrunners in voter turnout, surpassing the 50% mark in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections. Meanwhile, Maharashtra lags behind with a turnout of 31.77% in several constituencies.

State-wise voter turnout

• Assam 46.31%
• Bihar 33.80%
• Chhattisgarh 53.09%
• Jammu And Kashmir 42.88%
• Karnataka 38.23%
• Kerala 39.26%
• Madhya Pradesh 38.96%
• Maharashtra 31.77%
• Manipur 54.26%
• Rajasthan 40.39%
• Tripura 54.47%
• Uttar Pradesh 35.73%
• West Bengal 47.29%

As the second phase of Lok Sabha elections unfolds, Uttar Pradesh showcases active participation with over 35% voter turnout recorded by 1 pm in eight parliamentary constituencies. Voters in Amroha, Meerut, Baghpat, Ghaziabad, Gautam Buddh Nagar, Bulandshahr, Aligarh, and Mathura constituencies display enthusiasm as they exercise their franchise in the ongoing polls.

Peethadhishwar of Bageshwar Dham Dhirendra Shastri cast his vote at a polling station in Madhya Pradesh's Khajuraho earlier today. Speaking to media after casting his vote, Shastri said, "I voted with my discretion, to strengthen Indian democracy and the nation. It is our right,” said Dhirendra Krishna Shastri after casting his vote."

A cop, who was on poll duty, killed himself with his service weapon in Chhattisgarh's Gariaband district, police informed on Friday. The reason as to why the police personnel took this extreme step is not known as of now. READ MORE...

As the Lok Sabha elections progress into the second phase, Maharashtra witnessed an 18.83% voter turnout by 11 AM. Across eight constituencies, voter participation varied as follows:

Voter turnout by constituency:

• Wardha: 18.35%

• Akola: 17.37%

• Amravati: 17.73%

• Buldhana: 17.92%

• Hingoli: 18.19%

• Nanded: 20.85%

• Parbhani: 21.77%

• Yavatmal-Washim: 18.01%

These figures indicate varying levels of voter engagement across different regions of Maharashtra during the ongoing second phase of polling.

The Trinamool Congress (TMC) has raised concerns with the Election Commission of India (ECI) regarding reported malfunctions in Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) across all three constituencies—Raiganj, Balurghat, and Darjeeling—where polling is underway today.

The TMC had earlier alleged that polling had to be halted in Raiganj due to EVM malfunctions. Now, the party has formally communicated its grievances to the ECI, seeking prompt action to address the issue.

As the second phase of polling unfolds in Assam, an estimated 27.43% of the electorate, comprising 77,26,668 voters, exercised their voting rights by 11 AM. Here’s the breakdown of the voter turnout in the five parliamentary constituencies:

• Diphu (ST): 30.82%

• Karimganj: 29.99%

• Darrang-Udalguri: 28.81%

• Nagaon: 25.29%

• Silchar: 23.20%

Polling commenced at 7 AM and will conclude at 5 PM, with a total of 61 candidates vying for victory in this phase.

As the Lok Sabha polls progress in Karnataka, voter participation has been significant, with over 22% turnout recorded by 11 AM.

Here are the voter turnout figures in West Bengal as of 11 AM:

• Darjeeling: 32.75%

• Raiganj: 32.51%

• Balurghat: 28.11%

Total Voter Turnout by 11 AM: 31.25%

In Madhya Pradesh, voter turnout increased by 11 AM. Here are the figures:

• Damoh: 26.84%

• Hoshangabad: 32.40%

• Khajuraho: 28.14%

• Rewa: 24.46%

• Satna: 30.32%

• Tikamgarh: 26.96%

Total voter turnout: 28.15%​

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has released essential information regarding the ongoing Lok Sabha elections in Chhattisgarh as part of Phase 2. Here are the details provided by the ECI.

Madhya Pradesh witnessed a turnout of 28.15% by 11:00 AM in the ongoing second phase of polling for six parliamentary seats, as reported by the Election Commission of India. The polling for the constituencies of Tikamgarh (SC), Damoh, Khajuraho, Satna, Rewa, and Hoshangabad commenced at 7:00 AM on Friday.

Voter turnout statistics

Among the six parliamentary seats, Hoshangabad emerged with the highest voter turnout at 32.40%, followed by Satna with 30.32%, Khajuraho with 28.14%, Tikamgarh with 26.96%, Damoh with 26.84%, and Rewa with 24.46%, all recorded till 11:00 AM.

Previous phase

In the first phase of voting held on April 19, Madhya Pradesh recorded a voter turnout of 30.46% by 11:00 AM, with the final turnout reaching 67.08%.

Dhirendra Krishna Shastri, the chief of Bageshwar Dham, exercised his franchise at a polling booth in Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh. Speaking to reporters, Shastri emphasised the importance of voting, stating, “I voted with my discretion, to strengthen Indian democracy and the nation. It is our right.” As the electoral process unfolds in Khajuraho, voter participation has been notable. The constituency recorded a turnout of 13.44% till 9:00 AM, reflecting early enthusiasm among voters to partake in the democratic exercise.

As of 11:00 am, Tripura East constituency has witnessed a substantial voter turnout, recording 36.42% participation at polling stations. The enthusiastic response from voters reflects the significant engagement and interest in the ongoing democratic process.

As of 11:00 am, the voter turnout in various assembly segments of the Gautam Buddha Nagar parliamentary constituency has been reported as follows:

• Noida: 21.3%

• Dadri: 24.80%

• Jewar: 25.87%

• Secunderabad: 27.17%

• Khurja: 26.22%

The cumulative voter turnout for the entire constituency stands at 24.48% during this time frame. These statistics have been provided by the Information Department of Gautam Buddha Nagar.

In a significant development ahead of the Lok Sabha elections in Karnataka, an FIR has been lodged against BJP candidate K Sudhakar by the Flying Surveillance Team (SST) of Chikkaballapura constituency. The FIR, filed at the Madanayakanahally Police Station, accuses Sudhakar of attempting to influence voters with bribes. The SST team seized a substantial amount of cash totaling Rs 4.8 crores during their operation.

Navnit Rana, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate from Amravati, exercised her franchise along with her husband Ravi Rana at a polling booth in Amravati during the Lok Sabha polls.

Voters displayed enthusiasm as brisk polling characterized the first few hours of voting across the 20 Lok Sabha seats in Kerala, with a turnout of 19.06% recorded by 10:20 am. While the election process proceeded smoothly under stringent security measures, some booths encountered technical glitches with electronic voting machines (EVMs). These glitches led to delays in polling, prompting concerns among voters.

Congress leader Anto Antony, contesting from the Pathanamthitta Lok Sabha seat, and his party colleague Chandy Oommen highlighted incidents of EVM breakdowns in certain booths. Consequently, several voters were compelled to return home due to the disruptions.

In Darjeeling, West Bengal, as the Lok Sabha Elections 2024 fervor grips the region, Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) chief Bimal Gurung expressed enthusiasm about the electoral process, citing Prime Minister Modi’s impactful initiatives benefiting various segments of society. Gurung emphasized the significance of his main agenda, advocating for the Gorkhas’ interests. He expressed confidence in BJP’s electoral performance, predicting their victory with over 400 Lok Sabha seats.

Navdeep Rinwa, the Chief Electoral Officer of Uttar Pradesh, expressed confidence in achieving a higher voter turnout than in 2019. He emphasised the extensive arrangements made across polling stations, including provisions for drinking water, toilets, and shade. Rinwa highlighted the establishment of control rooms at district and state levels to address complaints promptly. Additionally, he assured the deployment of adequate police and paramilitary forces to ensure security during the voting process.

BJP candidate from Amravati Navnit Ravi Rana on Lok Sabha Elections 2024 | "Second phase of polling is going on in Amravati. I did the recital of Hanuman Chalisa, took the blessings of elder members of my family... My Amravati people know that this polling is for India and they will give their blessings to a small worker like me 100%..."

 Former Prime Minister and JD(S) president HD Deve Gowda cast his vote at a polling booth in Hassan. This phase will seal the fate of BJP's Tejasvi Surya, Shobha Karandlaje, PC Mohan, CN Manjunath and Govind Karjol, along with deputy CM DK Shivakumar's DK Suresh and former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda's grandson Prajwal Revanna, who is fighting with the JD(S) supremo's key rival G Puttuswamy Gowda's grandchild in Hassan.

Amid the second phase of the polling, Congress general secretary KC Venugopal cast his vote in Alappuzha, Kerala earlier today. In Kerala, a total of 194 candidates across 20 Lok Sabha seats are competing for voters' support. Of the total 194 candidates, 169 are men and 25 are women.

Altercation between West Bengal BJP chief and Lok Sabha candidate from Balurghat, Sukanta Majumdar and TMC workers in Balurghat. Majumdar alleges that a large number of TMC workers are present at a polling booth. Slogans of "Go back" pointed at Majumdar also heard.

As the second phase of the Lok Sabha elections unfolds across several states, here are the latest voter turnout figures:

Assam: 9% turnout reported as voters actively participate in the electoral process.

Bihar: Recording a turnout of 9.84%, Bihar witnesses citizens exercising their democratic rights.

Chhattisgarh: Notching up a turnout of 15.42%, voters in Chhattisgarh show enthusiasm in the polling booths.

Jammu and Kashmir: With a turnout of 10.39%, voters in Jammu and Kashmir contribute to the electoral process.

Karnataka: Reporting a turnout of 9.21%, Karnataka witnesses citizens casting their votes in significant numbers.

Madhya Pradesh: With a turnout of 13.83%, Madhya Pradesh sees active participation from voters.

Maharashtra: Notable participation with a turnout of 7.45% was reported in Maharashtra.

Manipur: A turnout of 15.49% reflects the enthusiasm of voters in Manipur.

Rajasthan: Witnessing a turnout of 11.77%, Rajasthan voters engage in the democratic process.

Tripura: An impressive turnout of 16.65% was observed in Tripura as citizens exercised their franchise.

Uttar Pradesh: Reporting a turnout of 11.67%, Uttar Pradesh sees citizens coming out to vote in large numbers.

West Bengal: Noteworthy participation, with a turnout of 15.68% reported in West Bengal.

Kerala: Registering a turnout of 11.98%, Kerala witnesses active participation in the ongoing elections.

Ahead of the second phase of voting in Manipur, security measures have been intensified at a polling station located in Ukhrul, a district in the Outer Manipur constituency. The electoral process for 13 assembly segments falling under the Outer Manipur parliamentary constituency is currently underway in the second phase of polling, ensuring citizens exercise their voting rights in a secure environment.

Shashi Tharoor, the incumbent Congress Member of Parliament and candidate from Thiruvananthapuram, was seen patiently queuing up outside a polling booth in the constituency, waiting for his turn to cast his vote in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections. In the electoral battle for Thiruvananthapuram, Tharoor faces competition from Rajeev Chandrasekhar, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate and Union Minister, adding a significant contest to the electoral landscape.

Tejasvi Surya, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate contesting from the Bengaluru South constituency, began his day by offering prayers at his residence before heading out to cast his vote for the Lok Sabha polls. Opposing Surya in the Bengaluru South constituency is Sowmya Reddy, who represents the Congress party in this electoral battle.

Former Chief Minister of Rajasthan, Ashok Gehlot, along with his family, proudly displayed their inked fingers after exercising their franchise at a polling booth in Jodhpur. Notably, Gehlot’s son, Vaibhav Gehlot, is contesting from the Jalore Lok Sabha constituency, adding personal significance to the family’s participation in the electoral process.

Amid robust security measures, polling commenced at 7 am on Friday across all 20 Lok Sabha constituencies in Kerala for the 2024 general elections. Within the first hour of voting, the state recorded a turnout of 5.62%. As the sun rose, voters began queuing outside the state’s over 25,000 polling booths, anticipating the day’s warmth. Many opted to cast their ballots early to avoid the expected rise in temperature later in the day.

Long lines of voters formed outside polling stations across all Lok Sabha constituencies in Kerala, reflecting the electorate’s enthusiasm and commitment to participating in the democratic process.

As the second phase of the Lok Sabha elections unfolds, Congress national president Mallikarjun Kharge directed a heartfelt message to first-time voters, urging them not to be swayed by diversionary tactics and emphasising the importance of their participation in shaping India’s democratic future. Kharge cautioned voters against falling for any ‘diversionary tactics’ orchestrated by the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), portraying the election as a crucial battle to safeguard democracy from potential authoritarianism.

Appeal for voter awareness

In his message shared on social media platform X, Kharge highlighted the significance of informed voting, reminding citizens of the pivotal role they play in shaping the nation’s destiny.

Promises from Congress manifesto

The Congress leader reiterated the party’s key promises outlined in its manifesto, urging voters to consider the transformative potential of their ballots in ensuring justice, equality, and inclusive growth for all segments of society.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan fulfilled his civic duty by casting his vote at polling station number 161 in Kannur. Kannur holds significance in Kerala’s political landscape, with voters keenly participating in the democratic process to elect their representatives.

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai has called upon voters to actively participate in the second phase of the Lok Sabha elections commencing today. In a statement, he urged citizens to utilize their voting rights to bolster democracy, emphasizing the significance of robust electoral engagement. Chhattisgarh’s Rajnandgaon, Mahasamund, and Kanker constituencies are among those slated to vote in this phase. Voting will take place from 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM, covering a broad spectrum of voters throughout the day.

Rajnandgaon: A high-profile contest

Rajnandgaon emerges as a crucial battleground, witnessing a showdown between prominent contenders. Congress leader and former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Bhagel, popularly known as “Kaka,” faces off against Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Santosh Pandey in what promises to be a closely watched contest.

Mahasamund and Kanker seats

In the Mahasamund constituency, BJP has nominated Roop Kumari Chaudhary, while the Congress has put forward Tamradhwaj Sahu as its candidate. Meanwhile, in Kanker, BJP’s candidate is Bhojraj Nag, and Congress is fielding Biresh Thakur.

Union Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, accompanied by her father, arrived at the BES polling booth in Bengaluru to cast her vote in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections. "Everyone should come out of their homes to cast their vote. Yes, it can be a hot day in Bengaluru but it is worth coming out. Choose your time, please come, do vote. India needs every vote," said Sitharaman.

Infosys founder Narayana Murthy exercised his democratic right by casting his vote at the BES polling station in Bengaluru. Karnataka is currently voting on 14 parliamentary seats as part of the second phase of the Lok Sabha elections, contributing to the larger democratic exercise across the nation.

Polling has commenced in 88 constituencies spread across 13 states and Union Territories in the second phase of the 18th Lok Sabha elections. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has urged citizens in constituencies voting today in the second phase of the Lok Sabha elections to participate in record numbers, emphasising that a high voter turnout strengthens democracy. PM Modi made a special appeal to young voters and women voters, urging them to turn out in great numbers, emphasizing that their vote is their voice. The Prime Minister’s call comes as part of ongoing efforts to promote democratic participation and ensure that every eligible citizen exercises their right to vote.

Voters in 88 Lok Sabha constituencies in 13 states and Union Territories will participate in the largest festival of democracy in the world. All 20 seats in Kerala, 14 in Karnataka, 13 in Rajasthan, 8 each in Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra, 6 in Madhya Pradesh, 5 each in Bihar and Assam, 3 each in Chhattisgarh and West Bengal and 1 each in Tripura, Jammu and Kashmir and Manipur are going for polls in the second phase. READ MORE...

Ahead of the commencement of the second phase of voting, people queue outside a polling station in West Bengal's Balurghat. Significantly, of the total 42 constituencies, voting is on three parliamentary constituencies in the state today.

Security arrangements tightened in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, ahead of the second phase of polling today.

Uttar Pradesh is set to witness a fierce contest in the second phase with 8 seats including Meerut, Baghpat, Ghaziabad, Gautam Buddha Nagar and Mathura voting on April 26. 

The second phase of the 18th Lok Sabha Elections 2024 will begin on Friday, April 26. Voters in 88 Lok Sabha constituencies in 13 states and Union Territories will participate in the largest festival of democracy in the world.