Today, April 26, marks the second phase of Lok Sabha Elections 2024, with polling underway in 88 parliamentary constituencies across 13 states and Union Territories. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has urged people to vote in record numbers, emphasising the importance of a high voter turnout in strengthening democracy, especially urging young and female voters to participate actively.
Voting began at 7 am and will continue until 5 pm, with an additional hour provided by the Election Commission for voters already in the queue. A total of 15.88 crore voters, including 8.08 crore men, 7.8 crore women, and 5,929 third-gender electors, are eligible to vote in this phase. Notably, there are 3.28 crore young voters aged 20–29, including 34.8 lakh first-time voters.
In Phase 1, on April 19, 109 seats went to polling, recording a voter turnout of around 62 percent. The counting of votes for all seven phases will occur on June 4.
For more on this, read: Lok Sabha Election 2024 Phase 1 Updates: 60.03% Voter Turnout Recorded Till 7 Pm, Says EC
Voting Constituencies
The constituencies voting today include all 20 Lok Sabha constituencies in Kerala, 14 in Karnataka, 13 in Rajasthan, and others spread across various states. Among the 1,210 candidates in the fray are prominent figures like Rahul Gandhi, Shashi Tharoor, Tejasvi Surya, Hema Malini, and Om Birla.
Over 16 lakh polling officials have been deployed across 1.67 lakh polling stations, with webcasting in over 50 percent of stations and micro-observers in all stations.
The Lok Sabha Elections, conducted in seven phases, will conclude on June 1. The ruling NDA, led by PM Modi, aims to win a record third term, while opposition parties, including the Congress under the banner of the I.N.D.I.A. bloc, pose a challenge.
Voting concludes for Phase 2.
Polling concludes nationwide at 6 pm. Tripura leads in voter turnout among 13 states, while West Bengal surpasses 70%.
- Kerala concludes and sees an impressive 63.97% voter turnout in Phase 2 of the Lok Sabha Elections.
The polling for the 20 Lok Sabha constituencies in Kerala, which took place during Phase 2 of the Lok Sabha elections, has concluded. The voter turnout in the state reached 63.97% by 5 pm, according to data provided by the Election Commission.
- Here are the voter turnout percentages for various states in the Lok Sabha elections till 5 p.m
Tripura has recorded the highest voter turnout, while Uttar Pradesh has reported the lowest turnout as of 5 pm
⇒Assam: 70.66%
⇒ Bihar: 53.03%
⇒ Chhattisgarh: 72.13%
⇒ Jammu and Kashmir: 67.22%
⇒ Karnataka: 63.90%
⇒ Kerala: 63.97%
⇒ Maharashtra: 53.51%
⇒ Manipur: 76.06%
⇒ Rajasthan: 59.19%
⇒ Tripura: 76.23%
⇒ Uttar Pradesh: 52.64%
⇒ Madhya Pradesh: 54.42%
⇒ West Bengal: 71.84%
- Tejasvi Surya booked for allegedly soliciting votes on religious grounds.
Tejasvi Surya, BJP MP and candidate for Bengaluru South, has been booked for allegedly soliciting votes based on religion. The Karnataka chief electoral officer stated that Surya posted a video on 'X' handle, which led to the booking. Such actions are in violation of electoral laws that prohibit seeking votes on religious grounds.
- Here are the voter turnout percentages for various states in the Lok Sabha elections till 3 p.m :
⇒Assam: 60.32%
⇒Tripura: 68.92%
⇒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%
⇒Uttar Pradesh: 44.13%
⇒West Bengal: 60.60%
As of 3 pm on Friday, the second phase of the Lok Sabha elections has been completed by about 50.25 percent of voters in 13 states and union terrritories.
- Mammootty, Javagal Srinath, Cricketer Mohammad Shami and DK Shivakumar lead by example, casting votes in their respective constituencies.
- Actor Mammootty exercised his voting rights at a polling booth in Ernakulam, Kerala.
- Former cricketer Javagal Srinath cast his vote at a polling booth in Mysuru, Karnataka. He emphasised the importance of voting and expressed satisfaction with the voter turnout.
- Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister and Congress leader DK Shivakumar participated in the electoral process by casting his vote in Kanakapura. His brother, DK Suresh is contesting from the Bangalore Rural constituency.
- Cricketer Mohammad Shami exercised his voting right in the second phase of the Lok Sabha elections in Amroha, Uttar Pradesh. After casting his vote, he emphasised the importance of every citizen's right to vote and choose their government.
- RLD Leader Jayant Chaudhary upbeat about election targets after casting ballot.
RLD chief Jayant Chaudhary expressed optimism about achieving the ambitious target set by the Prime Minister and the alliance partners during the Lok Sabha elections.
"It is an ambitious target. The PM himself has put this target before a government seeking third straight term and the alliance partners. We all are working hard,". After casting his vote in Mathura, Chaudhary emphasised the collective effort being made by the government and its allies to work towards this goal.
- Concerns Arise Over EVM Malfunctions: TMC, SP, and Congress Voice Complaints.
The Trinamool Congress (TMC) has raised concerns about malfunctioning Electronic Voting Machines and VVPAT machines during second-phase polling in Bengal's Raiganj, Balurghat, and Darjeeling constituencies, urging immediate EC intervention. Other parties, including the Samajwadi Party (SP), have also reported EVM malfunctions in Ghaziabad Lok Sabha constituency, claiming it is a Muslim-dominated area. EVM malfunctions have been reported in various polling booths across Assam, causing delays in the voting process.
- Here's the voter turnout data for various states recorded till 1 p.m. in the Lok Sabha Election 2024:
⇒ Tripura: 54.47%
⇒ Manipur: 54.26%
⇒ Assam: 46.31%
⇒ Bihar: 33.80%
⇒ Chhattisgarh: 53.09%
⇒ Kerala: 39.26%
⇒ Jammu and Kashmir: 42.88%
⇒ Karnataka: 38.23%
⇒ Madhya Pradesh: 38.96%
⇒ Maharashtra: 31.77%
⇒ Rajasthan: 40.39%
⇒ Uttar Pradesh: 35.73%
⇒ West Bengal: 47.29%
Overall, across the 88 seats, the voter turnout stood at 39.1% by 1 p.m., as per the Election Commission of India.
- Biocon Chairperson Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw urges voting participation.
Biocon chairperson Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw emphasised the importance of voting, stating that it is the responsibility of every citizen to cast their vote in the Lok Sabha Election 2024.
She highlighted, "I think it is the responsibility of every citizen of our great democracy to come out and cast their vote. I have basically carried out that duty and responsibility," she told PTI after voting.
- LDF Candidate AM Ariff Casts Vote in Alappuzha.
LDF candidate AM Ariff exercised his voting rights in the Lok Sabha Elections 2024 in Alappuzha, Kerala. He is contesting from the Alappuzha parliamentary constituency. Congress' KC Venugopal is contesting from the same seat against Ariff.
- Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan Casts Vote in Kannur's Pinarayi.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan exercised his democratic right by casting his vote at RC Amala LP School in Pinarayi, Kannur, during the ongoing Lok Sabha elections.
Accompanied by his wife Kamala and daughter Veena Vijayan, Vijayan participated in the electoral process.
- Tejasvi Surya calls for support for PM Modi's leadership in the voting message.
Tejasvi Surya, associated with the Modi-led BJP government, has shared a message urging people to cast their votes for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership and the development of India. He is seeking re-election from the Bengaluru South seat.
This aligns with the broader campaign of encouraging voter participation for the progress of the nation.
- Congress candidate KC Venugopal votes in Alappuzha.
Congress candidate & Congress general secretary KC Venugopal cast his vote today at a polling booth in the Alappuzha constituency during the second phase of the Lok Sabha elections.
Venugopal is contesting against Communist Party of India (Marxist) candidate AM Ariff and Bharatiya Janata Party's Sobha Surendran from the Alappuzha seat in Kerala.
- BJP Kerala President K Surendran votes in Kozhikode.
Kerala President K Surendran has cast his vote in Kozhikode during the second phase of the Lok Sabha elections. He is the BJP candidate from the Wayanad constituency, contesting against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.
The Wayanad constituency is expected to be a tough contest between the INDIA bloc's allies and the Communist Party of India (CPI). Surendran, who became BJP state president in 2020, expressed confidence in the BJP's performance and predicted the party to win 10 out of 20 seats in Kerala.
- Chief Minister Siddaramaiah casts his vote in Mysuru.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah exercised his voting rights at polling station number 86 located at Karnataka Public School in his native Siddaramanahundi of Mysuru taluk. This area is a part of the Mysuru district, falling within the Mysore-Kodagu Lok Sabha constituency.
- Former PM HD Deve Gowda casts his vote in Hassan, Karnataka.
Former Prime Minister and JD(S) president HD Deve Gowda exercised his democratic right by casting his vote at a polling booth in Hassan, Karnataka.
As a prominent political figure in the state, Gowda's participation in the electoral process holds significance, especially in the context of Karnataka's political landscape.
- Congress MP Shashi Tharoor votes in Thiruvananthapuram.
Shashi Tharoor, a former UN diplomat and Congress MP, is seeking a fourth term in Thiruvananthapuram's constituency. He shared his views on X saying, ''Began the day by lining up and casting my vote. Urging all my fellow Trivandrum residents (and those in constituencies voting in this phase) to fulfil their civic duties and exercise their franchise today. Our democracy thrives when we all participate and each vote will go on to shape the future of our India. Your vote is your voice—let us make it count!''
He faces Union Minister of State Rajeev Chandrashekhar and Communist Party of India leader Panniyan Ravindran in a two-front contest. Tharoor has held the seat since 2009.
- - Clashes are reported in Balurghat. Violence erupted in Balurghat as clashes between West Bengal BJP chief Sukanta Majumdar and TMC workers were reported. The altercation occurred at a polling booth, with Majumdar alleging the presence of a large number of TMC workers. Slogans of "Go back" were directed at Majumdar during the altercation. Sukanta Majumdar is the BJP's Lok Sabha candidate from Balurghat, adding to the tension surrounding the incident.
- Rajnath Singh Encourages High Voter Turnout in Phase 2.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh took to Twitter to urge voters participating in the second phase of Lok Sabha elections to cast their votes in record numbers.
He emphasised, "As the polling for the 2nd phase of the Lok Sabha elections begins, he urges the people voting today to do so in record numbers. I would especially request that the youth and women vote in large numbers."
Singh's message underscores the importance of active participation from all sections of society, particularly the youth and women, in shaping the future of democracy.
- Rahul Dravid Casts His Vote, Encourages Youth Participation.
India's head coach, Rahul Dravid, despite his busy schedule, voted in Bengaluru for the Lok Sabha elections.
He emphasised the importance of democracy and called for a record-breaking voter turnout in Bengaluru. Dravid urged the media and public to promote active participation in the democratic process, urging everyone to vote.
- Former Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot votes with family in Jodhpur.
Ex-Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and his family proudly display their inked fingers after casting their votes at a polling booth in Jodhpur. His son, Vaibhav Gehlot, is contesting from the Jalore Lok Sabha constituency.
- Phase 2 Voting Update: Kerala Records 8.52% Turnout by 9 a.m. During the ongoing phase 2 polling across all 20 seats in Kerala, the state has registered an 8.52% voter turnout as of 9 am. Karnataka recorded a 9.21% turnout, while Madhya Pradesh saw a turnout of 13.82%, according to the Election Commission.
- Congress President Kharge urges voters to Safeguard Democracy.
Congress president Malikarjun Kharge emphasised that the ongoing election is not merely ordinary but a crucial endeavour to safeguard democracy from the threat of dictatorship. He urged citizens to reflect on the essence of the Indian Constitution before casting their votes, emphasising the importance of protecting democracy.
Addressing voters across 89 constituencies in 13 states and union territories, Kharge advised them not to be swayed by distractions or falsehoods. He urged them to ensure their votes make a meaningful contribution to the democratic process.
- Union Minister Nirmala Sitharaman Calls for High Voter Turnout in Bengaluru.
Union Minister Nirmala Sitharaman arrived at a polling station in Bengaluru to cast her vote as the second phase of polling commenced across 88 Lok Sabha constituencies. After voting, Sitharaman stated that there is a widespread desire among the people for Prime Minister Narendra Modi to serve a third term.
"I encourage more and more people to participate in voting. It's evident that people desire a stable government, along with good policies, progress, and development, which is why they are actively participating. They wish to see PM Modi continue his tenure."
- Actor Prakash Raj Casts His Vote in Bengaluru, Karnataka.
Actor Prakash Raj exercised his voting right at a polling station in Bengaluru, Karnataka.
He stated, "I have cast my vote for the candidate I trust and for the issues outlined in the parties' manifestos. My vote opposes hate and division in the country. I have voted for a competent representative from my constituency."
- Philanthropist Sudha Murty Urges Voter Participation in Bengaluru.
Sudha Murty, a renowned author and philanthropist, has exercised her voting rights in the Lok Sabha elections in Bengaluru.
In a statement, she emphasised, "I urge everyone: don't stay indoors, step out and vote, select your leader. I often observe that urban residents vote less than those in rural regions. I appeal to the youth to actively participate in voting."
- Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar Urges High Voter Turnout in Thiruvananthapuram.
Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar appealed to voters to come out and cast their votes in large numbers during the second phase of Lok Sabha polls. He emphasized the significance of the day for the future of Thiruvananthapuram, stating that the constituency has witnessed very little progress in the last 15-20 years.
Chandrasekhar, a BJP leader, is facing a tough challenge from former diplomat and senior Congress leader Tharoor, who is seeking a third term in the Thiruvananthapuram constituency.
- Kerala Leader of Opposition VD Satheesan Joins Voters in Casting the Ballot.
VD Satheesan, the Leader of Opposition in Kerala, was spotted waiting in line with other voters to participate in the Lok Sabha polls at a polling station in North Paravoor within the Ernakulam Parliamentary constituency.
Screengrab FROM ANI(X)
As of April 26, 2024, at 07:19 IST, Kerala has commenced voting to choose 20 Members of Parliament in the second phase of Lok Sabha elections.
- Infosys Founder Narayana Murthy Participates in Karnataka Lok Sabha Elections 2024.
Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy voted at the BES polling station in Bengaluru today.
After casting his ballot, he expressed, "Every five years, we have the chance to use the right given by our Constitution, to select any candidate from any party to lead us. Today is a joyful day. Today is when we should all eagerly use our authority."
- PM Modi Urges High Voter Turnout in Lok Sabha Phase 2 Elections.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a post on X, urged people to exercise their right to vote. He emphasised, "Urging everyone in constituencies voting today, in the second phase of the Lok Sabha elections, to participate in record numbers. A high voter turnout strengthens our democracy. I especially urge our young voters and women voters to turn out in great numbers. Your vote is your voice!"
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