Across 58 constituencies spanning seven states and one Union Territory, voting is underway in the penultimate phase of the Lok Sabha elections. Delhi and Haryana are voting in a single phase today, while the final phase will leave 57 seats remaining.
Key Figures
- Voter Turnout: A voter turnout of 57.7% has been recorded across the 58 constituencies in six states and a Union Territory as of 5 pm.
- States Participating: Voting is taking place today in eight seats each in Bihar and Bengal, seven in Delhi, 10 in Haryana, four in Jharkhand, 14 in Uttar Pradesh, and the final seat in Jammu & Kashmir (Anantnag-Rajouri).
- Odisha Elections: Odisha will also choose representatives for 42 assembly constituencies and six Lok Sabha seats.
Progress of Elections
By the end of the day, elections will be completed in 486 of the 543 Lok Sabha seats. Polling will also be concluded in Haryana, Delhi, and Jammu and Kashmir.
Focus on Delhi
The most captivating contest today is in the national capital, Delhi, where the BJP secured all seven seats in 2019. This time, Arvind Kejriwal’s Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is challenging this dominance with its “Jail Ka Jawab Vote Se” campaign. AAP is contesting four seats in Delhi, while its ally Congress is contesting three.
Crucial Phase for NDA
Today’s phase is crucial for the NDA, which aims to maintain its momentum to achieve its “400-plus” target. In the 2019 elections, the BJP alone won 40 of the 58 constituencies being contested today in the Hindi heartland and the east. Its NDA allies secured an additional five seats.