Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Major Events From Phase 1

The 18th Lok Sabha elections began today, with the first round of voting in 21 states and Union Territories, covering 102 seats. As of 5 p.m., approximately 60% of voters had cast ballots nationally. The 2024 general elections will be held in seven parts, culminating on June 1, with vote counting and result releases set for June 4.

During the first phase, voting took place in Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and West Bengal. Additionally, elections were held in the Union Territories of Andaman and Nicobar, Lakshadweep, Jammu & Kashmir, and Puducherry, involving voters from 102 seats.

Over 16.63 crore voters, virtually equally divided between men and women, voted at over 2 lakh voting sites. Notable candidates in the first round include Union Ministers Nitin Gadkari, Bhupendra Yadav, Kiren Rijiju, Jitendra Singh, Arjun Ram Meghwal, and Sarbananda Sonowal, as well as Congress’s Gaurav Gogoi, DMK’s Kanimozhi, and BJP’s Tamil Nadu chairman K Annamalai.

The BJP-led NDA seeks a larger majority, whilst the opposition INDIA alliance hopes for a comeback. In the 2019 elections, the UPA won 45 of the 102 contested seats, while the NDA took 41. The delimitation procedure resulted in the redrawing of six seats.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s NDA alliance seeks a third straight term in 2019 election, rallying around the slogan ‘abki baar 400 paar,’ while the opposition INDIA bloc is taking an economical approach to their campaign, promising MSP for farmers and cash handouts to women in their manifesto.

The general elections for the 18th Lok Sabha will take place in seven phases from April 19 to June 1, with results to be announced on June 4. The election schedule includes phases on April 19, April 26, May 7, May 13, May 20, May 25, and June 1.

Lok Sabha Election 2024: Phase-wise schedule

• Phase 1- April 19

• Phase 2- April 26

• Phase 3- May 7

• Phase 4 – May 13

• Phase 5 – May 20

• Phase 6 – May 25

• Phase 7 – June 1

EVMs Vandalised In Manipur Amid Reports Of Proxy Voting

In Manipur, EVMs were vandalised in Moirang Kampu following claims of proxy voting by armed groups. The situation deteriorated as gunshots erupted near a voting station, causing fear and people to seek refuge. This unrest happened in an area that might be related with either the Inner Manipur or Outer Manipur seats, both of which had incumbent candidates running for reelection.

Manipur has been experiencing periodic violence as a result of the violence against the kuki women since May of the previous year, with over 200 people killed and thousands homeless. To maintain security during the election, rigorous precautions were put in place, including the creation of temporary voting booths for displaced voters.

Speaking to NDTV after voting, Chief Minister N Biren Singh, said, “I am fully confident both Manipur seats will definitely elect a BJP government at the center. Yes, Manipur is facing a troubled time but, in the last four-five months peace was restored and that is why we are holding an election.”

Jammu and Kashmir

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed a rally in Udhampur on April 12, expressing commitment to restoring statehood and holding assembly elections in support of Union minister and BJP candidate Jitendra Singh. 

Today, Mehbooba Mufti emphasized the importance of representing the pain and concerns of Jammu and Kashmir’s citizens, particularly regarding changes in land-related laws.. 

 “We are not a big party, we are releasing a small manifesto by keeping in mind the situations of Jammu & Kashmir.. The biggest responsibility as of now is to go to the Parliament and to give a voice to the pain of the people of the state. Land-related laws which were under the state list were changed which led to our resources be it electricity, water, or lithium being gifted to outsiders,” she said. 

Chhattisgarh

In Chhattisgarh’s Naxal-affected Bastar region, a blast involving an Under-Barrel Grenade Launcher (UBGL) occurred near a polling booth, injuring a security personnel during area domination exercises. A CRPF jawan on poll duty also lost his life due to an accidental grenade explosion.

Tripura

Around 2,500 voters from across the India-Bangladesh border crossed into Tripura to cast their votes. Despite the barbed wire fence, these voters were determined to exercise their democratic right, facilitated by the opening of border gates and heightened security.

Overall, the Lok Sabha elections are moving along despite obstacles including proxy voting, violence, and voter dislocation in some areas.