New Delhi, June 1: The seventh and final phase of the Lok Sabha elections began on Saturday, with voting starting at 7 AM across 57 parliamentary constituencies in seven states and the Union Territory of Chandigarh.
This phase marks the culmination of the world’s largest democratic exercise, which began on April 19 and has already covered six phases and 486 Lok Sabha seats. According to the Election Commission of India, over 10.06 crore electors, including approximately 5.24 crore men, 4.82 crore women, and 3,574 third-gender electors, are expected to cast their votes.
Ahead of the voting, mock polls were conducted at various polling booths across the country, including in West Bengal’s Jadavpur and Rashbehari Assembly constituency in South Kolkata, Karakat and Arrah in Bihar, Hamirpur in Himachal Pradesh, Balasore in Odisha, and Dumka in Jharkhand.
Girls performed Gidda at a polling booth in Mohali, urging eligible voters to cast their votes. “All 13 parliamentary constituencies of Punjab are voting today,” said Shivinder Deora, Presiding Officer at a polling booth in Amritsar.
A total of 904 candidates are in the fray for the final phase of polling. Prominent candidates include Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP leaders Ravi Shankar Prasad and Nishikant Dubey, Congress leaders Manish Tewari and Charanjit Singh Channi, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Harsimrat Kaur Badal, and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Misa Bharti.
Actor-turned-politician Kangana Ranaut from the BJP is fighting against Congress candidate Vikramaditya Singh in Mandi. Union Minister Anurag Thakur is contesting from Hamirpur, while actor-turned-politician Ravi Kishan is contesting from Gorakhpur. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s nephew and Trinamool Congress candidate Abhishek Banerjee is contesting from Diamond Harbour.
Six assembly seats in Himachal Pradesh will also go for by-polls today, with the outcome expected to impact the Congress government in the state. All six seats were held by Congress members who cross-voted in the Rajya Sabha polls.
The seven states where polling is taking place today include Bihar, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Odisha, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, and the Union Territory of Chandigarh. Polling for the remaining 42 Assembly Constituencies of Odisha is also happening simultaneously.
The Election Commission of India stated that polling for 28 states/UTs and 486 parliamentary constituencies has been completed smoothly and peacefully. The counting of votes will take place on June 4.
Polling stations are equipped with basic facilities including ample shade, drinking water, ramps, and toilets to ensure a comfortable and secure voting environment. Despite hot weather conditions, voter turnout has been strong in previous phases, with female voter turnout surpassing male voter turnout in the last two phases.
Special measures include 13 special trains and 8 helicopter sorties in Himachal Pradesh to ferry polling and security personnel. Over 2700 flying squads, 2800 static surveillance teams, and 1080 surveillance teams are in place to monitor and deal with any form of voter inducement.
The Commission has also deployed 201 international border check posts and 906 inter-state border check posts to prevent the illicit flow of liquor, drugs, cash, and freebies. Strict surveillance is maintained on sea and air routes.
Assured Minimum Facilities like water, shade, toilets, ramps, volunteers, wheelchairs, and electricity are in place to ensure ease of voting, especially for elderly and disabled voters.
After the close of voting today, the outcome of exit polls will be broadcast on various TV channels. The Election Commission has imposed a ban on exit polls from 7 AM on April 19 to 6:30 PM on June 1.
High-voltage campaigning for the final phase concluded on Thursday. During the seven-phased Lok Sabha polls, PM Modi held over 200 campaign events, including rallies and roadshows, in 75 days. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi held more than 100 rallies and public interaction programs, while Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge held over 100 rallies and numerous press conferences and interviews.
Polling for the earlier six phases of Lok Sabha elections took place on April 19, April 26, May 7, May 13, May 20, and May 25. Assembly polls were also held in Andhra Pradesh, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh. Odisha has seen simultaneous polls for Lok Sabha and assembly in the last four phases.
