The third phase of Lok Sabha Elections 2024 is underway across 93 constituencies in 11 states and Union Territories. The Election Commission of India reports that 1,331 candidates are contesting in this phase.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi kickstarted the day by casting his vote at a school in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. He encouraged citizens to participate actively, emphasizing that their involvement would enhance the vibrancy of the electoral process.
After today's voting, the fate of over 283 Lok Sabha seats will be decided, marking the conclusion of elections for more than half of the 543 seats.
Voting commenced at 7 AM and will continue till 6 PM. Gujarat, Goa, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu will complete their voting today. Additionally, all 28 seats of Karnataka and 11 seats of Chhattisgarh will finish voting.
Other states participating in this phase include Assam, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal.
Key contestants in this phase include Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Jyotiraditya Scindia, and Dimple Yadav.
A notable contest to watch is between Supriya Sule and Sunetra Pawar for the Baramati seat in Maharashtra.
Union Ministers Mansukh Mandaviya, Parshottam Rupala, and Pralhad Joshi are also contesting in this phase.
In the previous 2019 elections, the BJP and its allies secured 75 out of the 93 seats being contested today.
Approximately 17.24 crore voters are eligible to vote in this phase, with over 18.5 lakh polling officials deployed across 1.85 lakh polling stations.
Voting for the first two phases occurred on April 19 and 26, with the remaining phases scheduled for May 13, May 20, May 25, and June 1. Vote counting will take place on June 4.
The BJP-led NDA aims to secure a third consecutive term, targeting 400 seats. They face opposition from parties led by the Congress under the INDIA bloc.
"Khagaria Witnesses Active Participation in Phase 3 Voting"
The Khagaria Lok Sabha constituency in Bihar sees significant involvement from women voters during the ongoing third phase of Lok Sabha Elections 2024. Bihar is voting for five seats in this phase.
"Voter Turnout Reaches 10.57% by 9 AM"
As of 9 AM, the voter turnout in the third phase of polling stands at 10.57%. Assam recorded 10.12%, Bihar 10.03%, Chhattisgarh 13.24%, Dadra & Nagar Haveli, and Daman & Diu 10.13%, while Goa saw 12.35% turnout, according to the Election Commission of India.