Lok Sabha Elections 2024: World's Largest Democratic Exercise Kicks Off With Voting In 102 Seats

Voting for the Lok Sabha elections 2024 got underway on Friday with polling in the first and the biggest phase of the seven-phase democratic exercise. In the first phase, a total of 102 seats spread across 21 states and Union Territories will go to the polling booths.

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Battleground state in first phase

In the first phase, voting is being held in Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and West Bengal.

Among these, Tamil Nadu sees the largest contest with voting all 39 Lok Sabha seats followed by 12 in Rajasthan, eight in Uttar Pradesh and six in Madhya Pradesh.

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Voting for the first phase began at 7 am on Friday and will continue till 6 pm.

1625 candidates, 16 crore voters

The fate of 1625 candidates in 102 seats will be decided by over 16 crore eligible voters.

This includes eight Union ministers, two former chief ministers, and one former governor. The candidates whose fate will be decided in the first phase include Union ministers Nitin Gadkari, Jitendra Singh, Kiren Rijiju, Arjun Ram Meghwal, Sanjiv Balian, Sarbananda Sonowal and former Telangana governor Tamilisai Soundararajan.

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PM appeals to young voters

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday called upon voters, to exercise their franchise in record 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," Modi said on X.

Essential for women and youth to vote: EC

Earlier, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar had also urged people to participate in the general elections in maximum numbers.

Kumar said that it is essential for voters including women and youth to take part in the elections.

The CEC said that it's very enthusiastic to see young voters getting enrolled.

"I'm sure this time our young voters are going to come ....we have appealed to them to become our ambassadors, to become our influencers," he said.

"Bring as many friends as possible including family members to the polling station. Enjoy the festival. Feel the responsibility of selecting and electing your own government," he added.

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