Voting Begins For Fifth Phase LS Polls On All 49 Seats Across 8 States, Union Territories

Voting began for the fifth phase of the Lok Sabha elections 2024 on Monday on all 49 parliamentary constituencies across eight states and Union Territories. Polling also began on 35 Assembly constituencies in Odisha for the Legislative Assembly. Over 8.95 crore registered voters, including 4.69 crore males, 4.26 crore females, and 5409 third-gender electors are eligible to exercise their franchise.

The eight states and Union Territories that will undergo voting in the fifth phase of the Lok Sabha elections 2024 are Bihar, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal. Several notable cities will witness voting on Monday including Mumbai, Congress bastion Amethi, Thane, and Lucknow, which have historically experienced low voter turnout. 

To ensure smooth polling and voters' comfort and safety, the polling stations have been equipped with essential facilities such as shade, drinking water, ramps, toilets, and other basic amenities. Additionally, special provisions have been made to manage hot weather conditions.

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The voting commenced at 7 AM and will conclude at 6 PM (timings may vary by constituency). Around 9.47 lakh Polling officials have been stationed across the constituencies to maintain law and order and assure that the polling is conducted in a fair manner.

Out of the total eligible voters in phase 5 of the Lok Sabha Elections, 24,792 voters are above 100 years of age, over 7.81 lakh voters are aged 85+, and 7.03 lakh PwD voters, have the option to vote from home. 

A total of 2.68 crore voters will decide the fate of 144 candidates contesting polls in the fifth phase today.

Some of the prominent candidates whose electoral fate will be locked today include Union Minister Rajnath Singh, who is seeking a fourth term from Lucknow and Smriti Irani, who is contesting from Amethi against Congress loyalist KL Sharma.

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