High Turnout Despite Heat Wave in Phase 1 of Lok Sabha Elections 2024

The first phase of polling for the General Elections 2024 witnessed a remarkable turnout across 21 States/UTs, despite the challenging heat wave conditions. The Election Commission of India reported that the polling process was largely peaceful, with voters from various walks of life demonstrating a strong sense of civic responsibility and pride. This phase of the elections also marked the completion of polling for 10 States/UTs, including most of the North-East region, as well as the polling for the State Legislative Assemblies of Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh.

A total of 56 villages in Bastar and the Shompen tribe of Great Nicobar participated in the electoral process for the first time in a Lok Sabha Election, signifying a historic moment for these communities. The Commission expressed its gratitude to the voters of Phase 1 and the entire election machinery for their efforts in ensuring a smooth and successful polling process.

Voter Turnout Figures Across States/UTs

The tentative figure of the voter turnout across the 21 States/UTs stood at over 60% as of 7 PM. State-wise figures are provided in Annexure A (see below). It is expected that the final voter turnout percentage will increase once reports from all polling stations are obtained, as polling was scheduled to continue till 6 PM in many constituencies. Additionally, voters who reached the polling stations before the end of the polling hour were allowed to cast their votes.

Monitoring and Control Rooms

The Election Commission, led by CEC Shri Rajiv Kumar and ECs Shri Gyanesh Kumar and Shri Sukhbir Singh Sandhu, monitored the progress of polling in Phase 1 from the ECI Headquarters in Nirvachan Sadan. State-of-the-art control rooms were set up at the HQ and at State/District levels to oversee the polling process and address any issues that arose.

Diverse Voter Participation and Enthusiasm

The polling stations witnessed a vibrant display of democracy, with voters from bustling city centers to remote villages participating enthusiastically. The focus of the Commission on facilitating voting in tribal and Left Wing Extremist (LWE) affected areas was evident, as communities in these regions embraced the power of the ballot. Notable instances include voters benefiting from medical facilities at model polling stations and the use of local tribal dialects to provide information at polling booths.

Conclusion and Outlook

Despite the challenges posed by the heat wave and other environmental factors, voters across the country showed immense enthusiasm and determination to cast their votes. The Assured Minimum Facilities provided by the ECI at every polling station were crucial in supporting voters during the electoral process. As the General Elections 2024 continue in seven phases, the Election Commission remains committed to ensuring a smooth, transparent, and inclusive electoral process.

Annexure A: State-wise Voter Turnout Figures (Phase 1)

Andaman Nicobar - 56.87%

Arunachal Pradesh - 65.46%

Assam - 71.38%

Bihar - 47.49%

Chattisgarh - 63.41%

Jammu Kashmir - 65.08%

Lakshwdeep - 59.02%

Madhya Pradesh - 63.33%

Maharashtra - 55.29%

Manipur - 68.62%

Meghalaya - 70.26%

Mizoram - 54.18%

Nagaland - 56.77%

Puducherry - 73.25%

Rajasthan - 50.95%

Sikkim - 68.06%

Tamil Nadu - 62.19%

Tripura - 79.90%

Uttar Pradesh - 57.61%

Uttarakhand - 53.64%

West Bengal - 77.57%

Note: All this concise information that we collect included pictures credit goes to chunav ayog