Lok Sabha Election Phase 1 Voting Ends With 60% Polling; Tripura Records Highest Turnout, Bihar Lowest | Updates

• The Phase 1 of the Lok Sabha elections 2024 is taking place today, April 19. A total 102 constituencies spread across 21 states and Union Territories will be voting in the first phase of the Lok Sabha elections, starting Friday, April 19.

• Polling will begin at 7 am and conclude at 5 pm.

• The states where voting is taking place in Phase 1 are: Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, West Bengal, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Jammu and Kashmir, Lakshadweep and Puducherry.

The schedule for Lok Sabha elections 2024 was announced by the Election Commission of India (ECI) on March 16. The voting for Lok Sabha elections 2024 is taking place in seven phases, starting April 19 and the counting of votes will take place on June 4.

While voting for Phase 1 is taking place on today, April 19, polling for Phase 2 to Phase 7 will take place on: April 26, May 7, May 13, May 20, May 25, and June 1.

• Phase 1/April 19 - 21 states/UTs - 102 constituencies

• Phase 2/April 26 - 13 states/UTs - 89 constituencies

• Phase 3/May 7 - 12 states/UTs - 12 constituencies

• Phase 4/May 13 - 10 states/UTs - 96 constituencies

• Phase 5/May 20 - 8 states/UTs - 49 constituencies

• Phase 6/May 25 - 7 states/UTs - 57 constituencies

• Phase 7/June 1 -  8 states/UTs - 57 constituencies

Know Voting Day In Your Constituency

The Election Commission has introduced 'vote-from-home' facilities for citizens over 85 and persons with disabilities for the upcoming Lok Sabha and assembly elections. The move marks the first time the poll body has offered this service.

Additional provisions include volunteers, wheelchairs, transport facilities, special facilities at polling stations, and school facilities.

The BJP hopes to return to power, banking on its tall leader Narendra Modi - the Prime Minister of the country - who is touted to be behind some major milestones the party has hit being in power at the Centre. Ram Mandir inauguration, Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) implementation, central schemes like Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao, surgical strikes, Chandrayaan 3 are some major landmarks the BJP expects to fetch votes and hit their 400-par target through.

Parallely, the Opposition -- comprising parties like Congress, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Samajwadi Party (SP), Trinamool Congress (TMC) etc. - has been trying to take on the BJP with, as per them, a "not-so-level playing field" amid the seizure of bank accounts of the saffron party's top rival Congress and arrests of key leaders.

None of the Above (NOTA) in EVMs is an option for voters who do not wish to cast vote for any candidate. On the Ballot Units (BU), below the name of the last candidate, there is a button for NOTA option which allows voters who do not want to vote for any of the candidates to exercise the option.

Similarly, Postal Ballot Papers also have a NOTA Panel after the name of the last candidate. The symbol for NOTA as given below will be printed against the NOTA Panel.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and Union minister Nitin Gadkari, Congress's Nakul Nath, Azad Samaj Party (ASP) chief and firebrand Dalit leader Chandrasekhar Azad Ravan are among the key candidates whose fates will get sealed in the first phase of Lok Sabha elections 2024.

Voting for the Phase 1 of Lok Sabha elections 2024 will begin at 7 in 102 constituencies spread across 21 states and Union Territories (UTs).

Know Phase 1 Key Candidates Here

An Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) is a device for recording votes and is used in India for voting in elections. An Electronic Voting Machine consists of two Units – a Control Unit and a Balloting Unit – joined by a five-meter cable.

Since 2010, the Election Commission has been phasing in a third unit called the VVPAT or the Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail, which allows voters to verify that their votes have been recorded correctly by printing a paper receipt.

Also Read | 'We Know What Happened': Hearing VVPAT Pleas, SC Tells Why Ballot Papers Are A Bad Idea

Of the 102 Lok Sabha seats going to polls today, the BJP had won 39 in 2019, with the ruling alliance NDA bagging 12, five and three of them in Rajasthan, Uttarakhand and West Bengal, respectively.

The BJP's existing allies hold seven of them.

Polling for the 543 seats for electing the 18th Lok Sabha will be held in seven phases. The votes will be counted on June 4. Full Schedule For Lok Sabha Elections 2024

• Over 18 lakh polling personnel across 1.87 lakh polling stations have been deployed by the the Election Commission of India (ECI) for the Phase 1 voting of Lok Sabha elections taking place today in which more than 16.63 crore voters will exercise their franchise.

• Voters include 8.4 crore men, 8.23 crore women and 11,371 third gender. There are as many as 35.67 lakh first time voters, besides 3.51 crore young voters in the age group of 20-29 years.

• A total of 41 helicopters, 84 special trains and nearly one lakh vehicles have been deployed to ferry polling and security personnel, the poll panel pointed out, according to a PTI report.

• Webcasting will be done in more than 50 per cent of the polling stations along with the deployment of micro observers in all polling stations.

• Additionally, 361 observers -- 127 general, 67 police and 167 expenditure observers -- have already reached their constituencies days before the polls. They will serve as the eyes and ears of the Commission. Special observers have also been deployed in certain states.

All Indian citizens of 18 years and above can register themselves to vote in the general elections. To register, one must download Form 6 from the National Voters' Service Portal or receive one from your local Booth Level Officer.  

Fill in details such as your Aadhar details, address, educational qualification and other details. Attach all proof needed and submit the form.  

All Voting FAQs Answered Here

Voting for the Phase 1 of Lok Sabha elections 2024 on Friday will begin at 7 am in 102 constituencies across 21 states and Union Territories.

The states where voting is taking place in Phase 1 are: Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, West Bengal, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Jammu and Kashmir, Lakshadweep and Puducherry.

All You Need To Know About Phase 1 Of Lok Sabha Elections 2024

A person is eligible to vote in India after attaining the age of 18. An eligible voter can vote only if their name appears in the voter list, also known as Electoral Roll.

Election commission of India offers online voter registration for Indian citizens who have attained the age of 18 on the qualifying date (1 Jan, 1 April, 1 July and 1 Oct of the year of revision of electoral roll). Citizen, can enroll themselves as General Voter and fill Form 6 online at National Voters' Service Portal. The form can be checked HERE - https://voters.eci.gov.in/

Voting for the Phase 1 of the Lok Sabha elections 2024 has started at 7 am in a total 102 constituencies spread across 21 states and Union Territories. Voting is also underway for 92 assembly seats in the state elections in Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim on Friday.

Apart from Lok Sabha elections, the Election Commission also announced schedule for holding assembly elections of four states - Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Odisha and Sikkim.

While Andhra Pradesh will go to polls for the assembly election on May 13, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh are voting today, April 19.

Odisha assembly elections will take place in four phases on: May 13, May 20, May 25, and June 1.

The counting of votes for Andhra Pradesh and Odisha assembly elections will take place on June 4, coinciding with that for the Lok Sabha elections, however, votes for the Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh elections will be counted on June 2.

All Details Here

Eight constituencies of western Uttar Pradesh are voting in the first phase of Lok Sabha elections 2024. The seats are: Saharanpur, Bijnor, Kairana, Muzaffarnagar, Nagina (reserved), Moradabad, Rampur and Pilibhit. These fall in the Jat and sugarcane belt of the state.

Among the prominent candidates are BJP's Jitin Prasada from Pilibhit, Union minister Sanjeev Balyan from Muzaffarnagar and Azad Samaj Party chief Chandra Shekhar Azad from Nagina.

Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar on Friday urged voters to vote in large numbers in the Lok Sabha elections 2024, saying that preparations have been done in a massive scale for the "tremendous exercise".

"Everything is in place. The preparations started actually two years back and a wide range of preparations. So, it's from preparing the voter list, to preparing polling stations, finding their routes, how to reach their deployment of forces, finding out vulnerable booths and then creating amenities at the booths...So, it's a tremendous exercise started over two years back," CEC Rajiv Kumar said.

"Also, the great technological interventions which are there. So, everything is prepared over roughly 1.86 lakh polling stations to go on the first phase of polling with around 16.86 crore voters. So, everything is set. It is now for voters to come and vote in large numbers on every polling station," he said.

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Actor Rajinikanth was seen at a polling booth in Tamil Nadu's Chennai, casting his vote in the first phase in the Lok Sabha elections 2024. Polling began at 7 AM on Friday in all the 39 Lok Sabha constituencies in Tamil Nadu for the 2024 general election, amid tight security arrangements.

As voting in Phase 1 of Lok Sabha elections 2024 began on Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to microblogging platform X and urged voters to vote in large numbers.

"The 2024 Lok Sabha elections commence today! As 102 seats across 21 States and UTs go to the polls, I urge all those voting in these seats to exercise their franchise in record numbers. I particularly call upon the young and first time voters to vote in large numbers. After all, every vote counts and every voice matters!" PM Modi said on X.

Voting for four Lok Sabha seats in Bihar is underway amid tight security arrangements. Polling started at 7 am in Nawada, Aurangabad, Gaya and Jamui, and will go on till 6 pm.

Over 75 lakh voters will decide the fate of 38 candidates in these four constituencies.

Of the four seats, Nawada has the highest number of 20.06 lakh voters, where altogether eight candidates are in the fray though the contest is primarily between Vivek Thakur, a BJP Rajya Sabha MP seeking entry into the Lok Sabha, and RJD's Shravan Kushwaha.

Gaya has the lowest number of 18.18 lakh voters, but the highest number of 14 candidates. Here, former chief minister Jitan Ram Manjhi, an NDA ally, is making yet another bid to enter Parliament.

Tamil Nadu BJP chief K Annamalai, Congress leader Chidambaram, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat were among the early voters who were seen at polling booths casting their votes in the first phase of the Lok Sabha elections 2024 on Friday.

As voting progressed, more top leaders from political parties were seen at polling stations across the 21 states and UTs where polling is underway in 102 constituencies in the first phase.

Voting was underway peacefully in Cooch Behar, Alipurduars and Jalpaiguri Lok Sabha seats in West Bengal on Friday morning, an election official said. Polling began at 7 am and would continue till 6 pm.

"Polling during the first hour was peaceful. There was not a single untoward incident," the official said.

A total of 37 candidates, including Union MoS for Home Nisith Pramanik of the BJP, are in the fray in the three constituencies in the northern part of the state.

A total of 112 companies of central forces (one company comprises 100 personnel) and 4,500 state police personnel have been deployed in Coochbehar, which is more than the other two constituencies that have remained by and large peaceful during the campaign period.

Congress leader and former Union Minister P Chidambaram reached the polling booth in Sivaganga, Tamil Nadu to cast his vote for Lok Sabha elections.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami was accompanied by his mother and wife as they voted in the first phase of the Lok Sabha elections at a polling station in Khatima.

Speaking of the 'festival of democracy', Dhami said "'Pehle matdaan phir jalpaan'...I appeal to everyone to participate in the festival of democracy. We get an opportunity to choose our government once in 5 years. We have to elect a government which increases the respect of our country in the world...We have to make sure that PM Modi becomes the Prime Minister for the third time."

Dhami was seen eating jalebi with his wife and mother outside the Khatima polling station after casting their vote.

The Election Commission of India (ECI) announced that the Lok Sabha elections 2024 will be held in seven phases, beginning on April 19, with the vote count scheduled for June 4.

The voting dates for the phases are as follows: Phase 1 - April 19, Phase 2 - April 26, Phase 3 - May 7, Phase 4 - May 13, Phase 5 - May 20, Phase 6 - May 25, and Phase 7 - June 1.

The different constituencies within same state have been divided in the seven voting phases.

To Know Which Is Your Voting Day Check Here

Voting began for five constituencies in Assam in the first phase on Friday with long queues outside polling stations early in the day.

The polling began at 7 am for the Dibrugarh, Jorhat, Lakhimpur, Sonitpur, and Kaziranga constituencies, with 86.5 lakh eligible voters.

Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal from the BJP and Congress's deputy leader in Lok Sabha, Gaurav Gogoi, were among the early voters.

"It is really a good sign that people are coming out in such a large number. People's spontaneous participation will strengthen democracy," Sonowal, the BJP candidate of Dibrugarh, said after casting his vote at a polling booth in Laxminath Bezbarua Bhawan in Chowkiding.

Meanwhile, Gogoi voted at a polling booth in Devi Charan Barua Higher Secondary School in Jorhat town.

As the first phase of the Lok Sabha polls began on Friday, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge took to microblogging platform X to urge voters to cast their ballots carefully and asserted that a new era of economic empowerment and equal opportunities beckons them.

"The fight to protect our Constitution and Democracy begins today," he said in a post on 'X'.

"My dear citizens, from 21 States and UTs who are voting in the First Phase of the Lok Sabha elections, I request you to carefully cast your vote. A future where NYAY (justice) awaits you. A new era of Economic Empowerment and Equal Opportunities beckons you," the Congress chief said.

As on 9:30 am, the voter turnout in Uttar Pradesh stood at 12.66 per cent, while that in West Bengal was at 15.09 per cent. Tripura also recorded a turnout of over 15 per cent, while Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Rajasthan, Jammu Kashmir's turnout stood between 10-11 per cent. Madhya Pradesh's turnout was also 15 per cent at 9:30 am.

On the first phase of voting in the Lok Sabha elections 2024, Congress leader and Wayanad MP Rahul Gandhi urged voters to "come out and strengthen democracy by applying the balm of vote to the wounds inflicted on the soul of the nation in the last 10 years."

"Remember, each of your votes is going to decide the future of Indian democracy and the coming generations... So come out and strengthen democracy by applying the balm of your vote to the wounds inflicted on the soul of the nation in the last 10 years... Defeat hatred and open the 'shop of love' in every corner," Rahul Gandhi said in a post on X.

India, the world’s largest democracy, is set to hit the polls in less than three weeks to elect its next government. An estimated 96.9 crore voters are registered to vote in the upcoming general elections with the poll season lasting 44 days.

Over the years India’s general elections have seen various trends in terms of percentage participation of voters and their demographic as well as region-wise trends. Outlook India looks at how voting trends have evolved with time. READ MORE HERE

As voting for Phase 1 of Lok Sabha elections 2024 remains underway, West Bengal's ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) has made several allegations on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in multiple posts on microblogging platform X.

In one post, TMC alleged that Central Forces, "acting on the instructions of BJP, are stopping our polling agents from entering booth 4/008 of Cooch Behar." Cooch Behar is one of the three constituencies where polling is underway.

"The shameless karyakartas of @BJP4Bengal, faced with the message of a thumping defeat are attempting to rig the elections by intimidating the voters while the Central Forces and @ECISVEEP act as silent spectators in Natabari, Cooch Behar," TMC alleged in another post.

Addressing a public rally in Uttar Pradesh's Amroha, Prime Minister Narendra Modi prasied famed bowler Mohammed Shami, who belongs to the city, and said the central government has given the Arjuna Award to the Indian cricket for his excellent performance in sports and CM Yogi's government has taken two steps forward and is also building a stadium for the youth here.

"The Lok Sabha elections of 2024 are the elections of the future of the country. Your 11 votes in this election will ensure the fate of India...," PM Modi said.

IG P Sundarraj of Chhattisgarh's Bastar, where polling is underway in the first phase of Lok Sabha elections, said three-layer cordon security arrangements have been made in the Naxal-hit area and additional forces have also been deployed to ensure smooth voting.

"Voting for the first phase of #LokSabhaElections2024 has begun in Bastar. People are reaching the polling booths with enthusiasm and confidence...Three-layer cordon security arrangements have been made in the area, additional forces have also been deployed. Besides this, in border areas, special forces of Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Odisha are also cooperating with us in maintaining security...," he said.

Can I vote without a voter slip? Can the address or name be changed on a voter ID card? Can a person vote without a voter ID card? Know answers to these and more frequently asked questions HERE

Approximately 9.35 per cent voter turnout has been recorded in Arunachal Pradesh Assembly election voting, as per data by Election Commission of India at 9 am.

Polling for the two Lok Sabha seats and 50 assembly constituencies began in Arunachal Pradesh at 7 am today amid a massive security blanket.

Approximately 7.90 per cent voter turnout has been recorded in Sikkim Assembly election voting, as per data by Election Commission of India at 9 am.

Polling for 32 assembly seats and the lone Lok Sabha constituency in Sikkim began simultaneously at 7 am today. Voting is scheduled to end at 5 pm.

While addressing a public rally in Uttar Pradesh's Amroha, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said took a jibe at Congress and said "every time these people set out to ask for votes from the people of UP carrying the basket of nepotism, corruption and appeasement."

"Once again the shooting of a film starring two princes is going on in UP which has already been rejected. Every time these people set out to ask for votes from the people of UP carrying the basket of nepotism, corruption and appeasement. In their campaign, these people leave no opportunity to attack our faith. The Congress candidate from here has difficulty even saying 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai'," PM Modi said.

"When Ram temple was built in Ayodhya, both SP and Congress parties rejected the invitation for Pran Pratishtha. These people are abusing Ram Mandir and Sanatana faith everyday. Recently, on Ram Navami, a grand Surya Tilak of Lord Ramlala has been done. Today, when the whole country is filled with the devotion of Lord Ram, the people of Samajwadi Party publicly call the devotees of Lord Ram as hypocrites...," PM Modi said.

India's mega Lok Sabha elections 2024 have commenced today with the first of the seven phases of voting taking place to elect the 543 members of the 18th Lok Sabha and decide whether the Narendra Modi-led NDA government will come to power at the Centre for a consecutive third term or if the Opposition, which has united under a bloc called 'INDIA',  will remove the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led dispensation from the central government position. Click Here To Know All About Lok Sabha Elections 2024

As on 11 AM, the approximate voter turnout in West Bengal stood at 33.56 per cent, while in Uttar Pradesh it was at 25.20 per cent. In Tripura, Meghalaya, and Madhya Pradesh also the voter turnout was over 30 per cent at 11 am.

Nagaland minister Temjen Imna, who has gone viral on social media several times for his fun videos, urged people to vote in large numbers to "make the nation into 'Viksit Bharat' under the leadership of PM Modi."

"Today is a very important day for Nagaland and the entire country as the first phase of voting for Lok Sabha elections has started today. Every citizen should vote to make our nation into 'Viksit Bharat' under the leadership of PM Modi...We need to come out and cast our vote in favour of the vision that today's Bharat has for a 'Viksit Bharat'...," he said.

India Today reported that a firing incident took place at a polling booth in Manipur's Moirang during voting. Manipur has so far recorded 29.61 per cent polling till 11 am.

More details are awaited on the firing incident.

Congress Candidate from Cooch Behar Piya Roy Chowdhury was seen casting her vote in the first phase of Lok Sabha elections on Friday.

BJP has fielded Union Minister Nisith Pramanik from Cooch Behar constituency.

The five seats in Maharashtra where polling is being held in the first phase of the Lok Sabha elections recorded a voter turnout of 19.4 per cent till 11 am, an official said.

Altogether 97 candidates, including Union minister Nitin Gadkari, are in the fray in Nagpur, Ramtek (SC), Bhandara-Gondia, Chandrapur and Naxal-hit Gadchiroli-Chimur (ST) constituency, all located in eastern-most parts of the state.

BJP leader Malikayya Guttedar joined the Congress party in the presence of Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah, Deputy CM DK Shivakumar and state minister Priyank Kharge on Friday.

Home Minister and BJP leader Amit Shah filed his nomination from the Gandhinagar Lok Sabha seat. The seat will go to polls on May 7, the third phase of Lok Sabha elections 2024.

Former President of India Pratibha Patil, aged 90, and currently unwell, has chosen the vote-from-home facility to vote in the Lok Sabha elections 2024. She will be voting in the Pune Lok Sabha constituency on May 13.

Pratibha Patil will exercise her voting right for the Pune Lok Sabha constituency during the general elections by availing the vote-from-home facility, her close aide said on Friday.

Patil has been unwell for the past one month and she finds it challenging to visit the polling station to cast her vote, news agency PTI cited him as saying.

Consequently, her office submitted an application to the district administration requesting permission for her to vote from home, he said.

Amid the fervour of Lok Sabha election 2024 in Uttar Pradesh, the elderly retiree Ravindra Singh Chaudhary spends his evenings locked in his sparse two-bedroom flat in Mahavir Chowk of Muzaffarnagar city. Located bang opposite an active railway line, Chaudhary’s train of thought is often interrupted by the grating squeals of actual trains passing at breakneck speed outside his window, even as he spends most of his evenings scribbling psephological calculations and percentages on a little notepad. He then sends the results of his laboured calculations to his friends and followers via WhatsApp. READ MORE HERE

As on 1 pm, West Bengal and Tripura have recorded a voter turnout of over 50 per cent in the first phase of Lok Sabha elections 2024.

Puducherry, Manipur, Meghalaya, Jammu and Kashmir and Madhya Pradesh have recorded a turnout of over 40 per cent till 1 am. Meanwhile, the voter turnout in Uttar Pradesh stood at 36.96 per cent at the same time.

Sikkim has recorded a voter turnout of 36.88 per cent till 1 pm in the assembly elections. Voting is taking place for Sikkim assembly election alongside the Phase 1 of Lok Sabha elections 2024.

Arunachal Pradesh has recorded a voter turnout of 37.853 per cent till 1 pm in the assembly elections. Voting is taking place for Arunachal Pradesh assembly election alongside the Phase 1 of Lok Sabha elections 2024.

Around 350 kms away from Madhya Pradesh’s capital Bhopal, the campaign song of an Adivasi party being played in an excessively loud sound sets the mood – ‘Ravan Bhaiya ko Jitana hai bhaiya’. Yellow scarfs, yellow headgears, chokers made of metal – commonly known as chik, tikli or the ornamental spot worn on the forehead made of turmeric and rice, beats of dholak and damru assert an Adivasi identity that is about to shape the fate of political parties in the state. READ FULL REPORT HERE

Addressing an election rally in Madhya Pradesh's Damoh, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said this "Lok Sabha election is about making India a big power in world in next five years."

Modi's guarantee means guarantee to fulfil guarantees, PM Modi further said at the poll rally in Damoh.

Around 31.47 per cent voter turnout was recorded in Bihar's four seats that are polling in the first phase of Lok Sabha elections 2024 on Friday, April 19.

The polling began at 7 am and will go on till 6 pm, a senior election official said. A total 38 candidates are in fray in these four seats - Nawada, Aurangabad, Gaya and Jamui.

Over 34.25 per cent voters have exercised their franchise in Jamui Lok Sabha constituency, 33.99 per cent in Aurangabad, 30.40 per cent in Gaya and 27.24 per cent in Nawada till 1 pm, officials said.

Northeastern states Manipur, Meghalaya, Tripura which are voting in the first phase of the Lok Sabha elections were leading the charts in voter turnout with over 40-50 per cent polling recorded till 1 pm.

While Manipur and Meghalaya recorded over 46 and 48 per cent voter turnout till 1 pm, respectively, Tripura recorded a turnout of more than 53 per cent.

A neighbouring country which is supplying aatank [terror] is struggling for aata [flour], said Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressing a rally in Madhya Pradesh's Damoh on Friday.

PM Modi has several times brought up Pakistan and his government's action against terrorism in the poll rallies recently. At a recent rally, PM Modi said his strong government "eliminates terrorists by entering their homes".

Polling was stopped at 5 Thongju, 31 Khongman Zone in Imphal after some women alleged irregularities and created a ruckus. The polling officer closed the polling booth, Imphal East DC said.

Incidents of intimidation and firing were reported from at least two places in Inner Manipur constituency where voting for the Lok Sabha polls is currently underway, news agency PTI quoted officials as saying on Friday.

At Thamnapokpi under Moirang constituency in Bishnupur district, armed men fired several rounds in the air near a polling booth prompting voters to flee, police said on Friday, adding additional security personnel were rushed to the spot to contain the situation.

Unidentified armed men also intimidated election agents of a particular political party at different places and asked them to leave the polling stations, they said.

At Uripok and Iroishemba in Imphal West district, armed men asked agents of a party to leave the premises of polling stations, an official said.

In UP's Rampur, BJP's Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi and his wife voted as polling began at 7 am.

Amid sporadic violence during the first phase of polling in West Bengal, BJP leader Agnimitra Paud said: "A few years back we used to see such things in Bihar, but Bengal has turned into new Bihar, new Kashmir. The booth president is being kidnapped. Booth rigging is being done. Opponents have to be silenced...either by threatening or murdering... this is Mamata Banerjee's politics in West Bengal."

The violence was witnessed in Coochbehar, Jalpaiguri, and Alipurduar, as these constituencies went to poll in the first phase.

Sikkim is voting for its 11th Legislative Assembly elections across 32 constituencies and the lone Lok Sabha seat. The counting of votes for both Lok Sabha and Assembly seats is set for June 4. 

• Tamil Nadu & UP voter turnout at 51.1% and 47.4% respectively; West Bengal at 66.3% till 3 pm.

• Tripura records 68.35% voter turnout till 3 pm, the highest amongst the State/UTs voting in the first phase of Lok Sabha polls today.

Arunachal Pradesh has recorded a voter turnout of 56.19 per cent till 3 pm in the assembly elections. Voting is taking place for Arunachal Pradesh assembly election alongside Phase 1 of the Lok Sabha elections 2024.

In Arunachal, polling is underway for two Lok Sabha seats and 50 assembly constituencies out of total 60 as the ruling BJP has already won 10 seats unopposed.

As per Election Commission data at 3 pm on Friday, Sikkim recorded a voter turnout of 52.73 per cent, with the highest polling recorded in Mangan district at 57.49 per cent. Voting is taking place for Sikkim assembly election alongside Phase 1 of the Lok Sabha elections 2024.

Voting concludes in Imphal East for Lok Sabha elections. EVMs, and VVPATs machines are being sealed. The timing for casting vote in Manipur was from 7 am to 4 pm.

In Manipur, the first phase of Lok Sabha polls saw violence and EVM damage. Miscreants fired near a polling station in Thamanpokpi, causing panic. However, no casualties were reported.

Violence was also reported at Iroisemba polling station in Imphal West, where EVMs were allegedly destroyed, PTI reported. Polling was stopped at 5 Thongju, 31 Khongman zone in Imphal after some women alleged irregularities and created a ruckus.

• Almost zero voting was recorded across six districts in Nagaland by Friday afternoon. This occurred after the Eastern Nagaland People's Organisation (ENPO), which is demanding a separate administration with more financial autonomy, declared a 'public emergency' and called on locals to boycott this election. 

• Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio confirmed the state government's support for ENPO's demand for FNT (Frontier Nagaland Territory), as it has already recommended autonomous powers for the region.

• Officials noted a lack of movement in eastern Nagaland, with major streets devoid of people or vehicles except those belonging to district administrations and essential services.

As the clock inches closer to the end of polling hours, the voter turnout in Tamil Nadu stands at 62.02 per cent, while Uttar Pradesh records a turnout of 57.5 per cent. Meanwhile, in West Bengal, voter participation surges to 77.5 per cent as of 5 pm.

As many as 25.4 million people are eligible to vote in the first phase of the polling in Rajasthan for 114 candidates at around 23,000 polling booths.

As per Election Commission data at 5 pm on Friday, Sikkim recorded a voter turnout of 67.95 per cent, with the highest polling recorded in Mangan district at 70.88 per cent. Voting is taking place for Sikkim assembly election alongside Phase 1 of the Lok Sabha elections 2024.

Arunachal Pradesh has recorded a voter turnout of 65.85 per cent till 5 pm in the assembly elections. Voting is taking place for Arunachal Pradesh assembly election alongside Phase 1 of the Lok Sabha elections 2024.

Phase 1 of Lok Sabha elections 2024 ended at around 6 pm today. West Bengal saw the highest voter turnout at 77.57 per cent, while Bihar recorded the lowest at 46.32 per cent by 5 pm. The estimated average voter turnout across all states and Union Territories was 59.7 per cent.

Today's voting covered parliamentary constituencies in several regions, including Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, West Bengal, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Jammu and Kashmir, Lakshadweep, and Puducherry.

Upcoming phases of the general elections are scheduled for April 26, May 7, May 13, May 20, May 25, and June 1. The Election Commission of India reports approximately 8.4 crore male voters, 8.23 crore female voters, and 11,371 third-gender electors eligible to cast their votes in this phase.

The Congress on Friday urged the Election Commission to take note of the "flagrant and blatant violation" of the Model Code of Conduct by the BJP. Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said that the ruling party was "using one particular issue on social media" to appeal to the voters. "This is a flagrant and blatant violation of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, the Election Commission's Model Code of Conduct, and also of numerous judgments of the Supreme Court," Ramesh said in a post on X. 

The first phase of Lok Sabha Elections 2024 covering a total of 102 constituencies across 21 states and Union Territories (UTs) ended with a turnout of 60 per cent. 

Tamil Nadu saw a voter turnout of 62.69 per cent, while West Bengal recorded a turnout of 77.57 per cent. In contrast, Tripura witnessed a surge in voter participation, reaching 80.14 per cent, according to the final data released by the Election Commission of India at 7 PM.

Arunachal Pradesh has recorded a voter turnout of 68.34 per cent in the assembly elections. Voters in two northeastern states, Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim, voted simultaneously for both Lok Sabha and Assembly Elections.

As per Election Commission data at 7 pm on Friday, Sikkim recorded a voter turnout of 68.04 per cent, with the highest polling recorded in Mangan district at 70.88 per cent. Voters in two northeastern states, Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim, voted simultaneously for both Lok Sabha and Assembly Elections.