India (Commonwealth Union)_ The world’s largest democratic exercise has come to an end with the conclusion of phase 7 voting. The final phase of voting in the Lok Sabha elections for 2024 reached its final stage, marking a crucial milestone in India’s democratic process. Accordingly, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his appreciation to the voters, particularly in his contested constituency of Varanasi, for their participation in the electoral process. Additionally, campaigning for this phase ended on Thursday, characterized by extensive rallies led by prominent leaders nationwide.
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Spanning seven states and union territory Chandigarh, a provisional voter turnout of 59.5% was reported in phase 7, with Bihar registering the lowest turnout at over 51.92% and West Bengal the highest at 73.47%. This turnout encompassed 57 constituencies and determined the political careers of 904 candidates vying for parliamentary seats. Accordingly, thirteen seats in Uttar Pradesh, thirteen seats in Punjab, nine in West Bengal, eight in Bihar, six in Odisha, four in Himachal Pradesh, three in Jharkhand, and the lone Lok Sabha seat in Chandigarh underwent polls in phase 7. The statewise voter turnout in the phase 7 election is as follows: Bihar recorded 51.92%; Himachal Pradesh 69.87%; Chandigarh 67.90%; Jharkhand 70.66%; Odisha 70.67%; Punjab 59.92%; Uttar Pradesh 55.59%; and West Bengal 73.47%.
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Among the notable candidates in phase 7 were Prime Minister Modi contesting from Varanasi; Union Minister Anurag Thakur from Hamirpur; Ravi Shankar Prasad from Patna Sahib; and actor Kangana Ranaut from Mandi, among others. The other leading candidates contesting the election are junior finance minister Pankaj Chaudhary from Maharajganj and actor-politician Ravi Kishan from Gorakhpur. Further, NDA leaders, including RLM chief Upendra Kushwaha from Karakat and Apna Dal (Sonelal)’s Union Minister Anupriya Patel from Mirzapur, were also in the race.
Candidates from opposition parties include Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s nephew and Trinamool Congress candidate Abhishek Banerjee from Diamond Harbour; Misa Bharti, daughter of Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Lalu Prasad from Pataliputra; and Congress’s Charanjeet Singh Channi from Jalandhar. Additionally, key opposition candidates, including Abhishek Banerjee from the Trinamool Congress and Misa Bharti from the Rashtriya Janata Dal, were also in contention.
This election, conducted over seven phases, is pivotal for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) as it aims for a historic third term under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership. As such, the counting of votes is scheduled for Tuesday. Additionally, in certain areas, notably in Bengal, reports of violence marred the polling process, where incidents of unrest were reported. In addition to it, in Jharkhand’s Dumka district, over 400 voters boycotted voting in protest against the construction of a coal dumping yard, underscoring the complex dynamics shaping electoral participation and engagement. Despite such challenges, voting proceeded in 57 seats across various states, including West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Odisha, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, and Chandigarh.
In addition to the parliamentary elections, by-elections were held for six assembly seats in Himachal Pradesh, potentially influencing the political landscape of the state. The election was also followed by exit polls, with the Congress reversing its initial decision to boycott them. Furthermore, the counting of votes is set for June 4, alongside state polls in Odisha and Andhra Pradesh, with results from Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim expected on Sunday. Overall, with the successful conclusion of the phase 7 polls, India’s mammoth electoral event reached its final stage, heading towards the vote counting on June 4th.
