Lok Sabha Election 2024 Highlights: At 59.06%, phase 6 records lowest voter turnout so far

Dronacharya awardee and wrestling coach Mahavir Singh Phogat cast his vote during the sixth phase of the Lok Sabha election in Haryana's Charkhi Dadri on Saturday.

Speaking to ANI, Mahavir Singh appealed to the voters to cast votes in large numbers.

"It feels good to cast our vote. I appeal to all the voters to cast their votes in large numbers...," Mahavir Singh said.

Earlier in the day, former India cricketers Gautam Gambhir, Kapil Dev, and MS Dhoni cast their votes in their respective constituencies.

BJP sitting MP from Rohtak, Arvind Sharma said on Saturday that there are no complaints about booth capturing while some people are trying hard but the administration is strict and alert.

"We are getting complaints from some polling booths. Some are trying to indulge in snatching but the administration is alert and doing their work. I am hopeful that Lotus will bloom on all 10 seats in Haryana. ECI has said that at a time only one voter can enter the booth. But in some places, people tag along with the voter inside the voting booth. The administration is strict and alert," he said.

"There are no complaints about booth capturing. But some people are trying hard but they have not been successful," Sharma added.

In the midst of intense political activities in the Kashmir Valley and despite the presence of Jamaat-e-Islami strongholds in the area, Kulgam stands firm as a bastion of the hammer, sickle and star of the CPI(M).

Mohammed Yusuf Tarigami, the CPI(M) state secretary and a four-time Kulgam MLA, actively campaigned for Mian Altaf -- the candidate for the party's People's Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD) partner the National Conference -- through vibrant roadshows.

Altaf is contesting the Lok Sabha elections from the Anantnag-Rajouri constituency, where elections are being held on Saturday.

At 75, Tarigami -- who has kept the CPI(M) flag flying high in the region even through challenging times -- expressed his determination as he cast his ballot in the Tarigam village of south Kashmir's Kulgam.

Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Gen Anil Chauhan cast his vote at a polling station in the national capital here on Saturday in the sixth phase of the Lok Sabha election 2024.

After casting his vote, CSS Chauhan said, "We just exercised our democratic right and we want all citizens to do the same."

His wife Anupama Chauhan also cast her vote and showed her inked finger.

Earlier in the day, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar cast his vote at a polling booth in Delhi.

Rajiv Kumar highlighted the significance of participation across generations, stating, "This time we made a lot of efforts to make it more inclusive. Everyone came and everyone voted. There is a very good voter turnout across the whole country. See how well the voting is going on in Jammu and Kashmir, Tripura, Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan. How many people came out enthusiastically to vote."

Former India skipper MS Dhoni cast his vote during the sixth phase of the Lok Sabha Election 2024 in Ranchi on Saturday.

Recently, Dhoni took part in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 with Chennai Super Kings (CSK). However, Dhoni's CSK failed to qualify for the knockout stage of the 17th season of IPL after conceding a 27-run loss against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB).

A voter turnout of 34.37 per cent was recorded till 1 pm in Delhi, where polling is underway for its seven Lok Sabha constituencies on Saturday.

The office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) said that at 37.31 per cent, the highest turnout was recorded in the North East Delhi constituency while Chandni Chowk had the lowest voting percentage at 32.18.

Poll officials said there were no reports of technical snags or delays in the commencement of voting at any polling station.

However, CPI(M) leader Brinda Karat, who had gone to exercise her franchise at St Columba's School in the New Delhi constituency, alleged she had to wait for almost an hour to cast her vote as the battery of the EVM control unit at her polling booth "drained out".

West Bengal registered a voter turnout of 54.80 per cent till 1 pm in the eight Lok Sabha constituencies that went to polls in the sixth phase on Saturday, an official said.

Polling began at 7 am in Tamluk, Kanthi, Ghatal, Jhargram, Medinipur, Purulia, Bankura and Bishnupur constituencies. It would continue till 6 pm.

Bishnupur (SC) recorded the highest polling at 58.64 per cent, followed by Tamluk (57.64 per cent), Ghatal (57.31 per cent), Jhargram (ST) (56.95 per cent), Bankura (54.21 per cent), Kanthi (51.66 per cent), Medinipur (51.57 per cent) and Purulia (50.34 per cent), he said.

“Voting has been peaceful so far. There are no reports of any untoward incident from anywhere,” the poll official told PTI.

Leader of Opposition in West Bengal Assembly Suvendu Adhikari cast his vote for the Lok Sabha elections at a polling station in West Bengal's Nandigram on Saturday.

Voting for the sixth phase of the ongoing Lok Sabha elections is underway across 58 parliamentary constituencies spread over six states and two Union Territories (UTs) amid tight security and arrangements.

"Those who are voting in the sixth phase are all equal according to the Indian Constitution. Everyone has to queue up before the polling booth and cast his vote. I have cast my vote today for Narendra Modi, for Viksit Bharat, for a strong India," Adhikari said speaking to reporters after casting his vote.

A voter turnout of 36.48 per cent was recorded in eight Lok Sabha constituencies in Bihar till 1 pm on Saturday, officials said.

Voting began at 7 am in Valmiki Nagar, Pashchim Champaran, Purvi Champaran, Sheohar, Siwan, Gopalganj, Maharajganj and Vaishali constituencies and will continue till 6 pm, a senior official at the CEO office said.

Around that 1.49 crore voters are eligible to exercise their franchise.

A voter turnout of 40.48 per cent was recorded in Vaishali, 38.89 per cent in Sheohar, 37.75 per cent in Paschim Champaran, 37.57 per cent in Purvi Champaran, 36.64 per cent in Valmiki Nagar, 34.75 per cent in Maharajganj, 34.65 per cent in Gopalganj and 31.59 per cent in Siwan till 1 pm.

Lok Sabha Election 2024 Phase 6 Live: Overall voter turnout across six states and two Union Territories has been recorded at approximately 39.13 until 1 pm.

West Bengal, recorded the highest voter turnout so far at 54.80%, with eight Lok Sabha constituencies undergoing voting today.

The lowest voter turnout at 1 pm has been recorded in Delhi-NCR at 34.37 per cent where seven Lok Sabha seats are undergoing voting.

Lok Sabha Election 2024 Phase 6 Live: Chief Minister of Haryana Nayab Singh Saini says, “Today I paid obeisance at the historic Gurudwara Manji Sahib in Karnal... Today, Haryana votes for the sixth phase of the elections...I also offered prayers at the Mahadev temple...I appeal to the public of Haryana to come out in large numbers and participate in this festival of democracy...Under the leadership of PM Modi in the past 10 years, a new India has been formed...India has touched new heights of development in the past 10 years.”

Lok Sabha Election 2024 Phase 6 Live: After voting in Bihar's Motihari, BJP candidate from East Champaran Radha Mohan Singh said, "I am pleased to see people participating in this festival of democracy despite enduring severe heat...Undoubtedly, we will surpass 400 seats."

Lok Sabha Election 2024 Phase 6 Live: Sweta Hooda, spouse of Congress candidate Deepender Singh Hooda for the Rohtak Lok Sabha seat, remarks, "Haryana shares common concerns with the nation at large. However, certain local issues hold particular significance, such as those concerning farmers and the military, which are likely to influence the outcome here."

Earlier today, during the ongoing voting process in 10 Lok Sabha seats, Congress lodged a complaint with the Rohtak returning officer regarding the purported unauthorised entry of BJP leader and former Minister Manish Grover at booth no. 118 near ITI in Rohtak city. The Congress alleged that he intimidated voters.

Lok Sabha Election 2024 Phase 6 Live: Former Union Minister and BJP leader Harsh Vardhan, accompanied by his family, cast their votes at Ratan Devi Senior Secondary Girls School, Krishna Nagar in Delhi.

“Voting in 2024 holds significant importance for the nation's future. I am confident that Narendra Modi ji will be elected as Prime Minister for the third time, which is in the best interest of the country. It is crucial to establish a stable government, as other parties, including Congress, have failed to provide stability in the past. On one hand, there is a focus on development, while on the other hand, there is corruption and alliances that are detrimental,” he stated.

Lok Sabha Election 2024 Phase 6 Live: Former Haryana CM and Congress leader Bhupinder Singh Hooda has cast his vote for Phase 6 of the general election at a polling station in his native village Sanghi, Rohtak.

His son and party MP Deepender Singh Hooda is the Congress candidate from the Rohtak Lok Sabha seat, while BJP has fielded its sitting MP Arvind Sharma for this seat.

After casting his vote, he expressed, “There is a wave of Congress.”

Lok Sabha Election 2024 Phase 6 Live: Overall voter turnout across six states and two Union Territories has been recorded at approximately 25.76% until 11 am.

West Bengal, after four hours of voting, recorded the highest voter turnout so far at 36.88%, with eight Lok Sabha constituencies undergoing voting today.

The lowest voter turnout so far has been recorded in Odisha at 21.30% where six Lok Sabha seats are undergoing voting.

Lok Sabha Election 2024 Phase 6 Live: West Bengal Leader of Opposition and BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari cast his vote at a polling station in Nandigram during the sixth phase of voting for the general election.

“I am demanding from the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court and the President that action should be taken against Mamata Banerjee. She is attacking the higher judiciary and saying that she will not accept the decision (the High Court decision on OBC reservation),” Adhikari said after casting his vote.

India General Elections 2024 live: Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, accompanied by his wife Sunita Kejriwal, as well as his mother and father, cast their votes at a polling booth in the national capital for the sixth phase of the general election.

India General Elections 2024 live: Jammu and Kashmir People's Democratic Party chief and candidate from Anantnag–Rajouri Lok Sabha seat, Mehbooba Mufti says, “They are lying. They have been given the responsibility to rig the elections... This is just to induce fear in the minds of the people so that the Kashmiris don't come out and vote as they know that if the people of South Kashmir come out and vote then Mehbooba Mufti will win and will go to parliament. They can't tolerate me in the parliament.”

Earlier today, Mehbooba Mufti alleged that her party workers and polling agents are being detained in police stations “without any reason”. Mehbooba Mufti also claimed that complaints regarding the efforts to “tamper the EVMs” are being received.

India General Elections 2024 live: After casting his vote, BJP MLA Siddharth Nath Singh in Prayagraj's Phulpur during Phase 6 polls in Uttar Pradesh, says, “Everyone should vote in the grand festival of democracy. India needs decisive and powerful leadership. We are moving towards the success of the slogan of 400 Paar.”

India General Elections 2024 live: Uttar Pradesh deputy chief minister Keshav Prasad Maurya and his wife cast their votes in the sixth phase of the elections.

He said, “Casting a vote is both our right and responsibility during this significant festival of democracy. Being a voter of the Phulpur Lok Sabha constituency, I have come to vote with my family. I appeal to everyone to exercise their right and participate in the voting process.”

Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar said, "When I voted for the first time, I had gone with my father and today he is 95 years old, he voted along with me today...This is a matter of great pride for me and every voter must cast their vote...Very good voting is taking place in the entire country. You see in Jammu and Kashmir, how good voting is taking place there..."

Delhi saw a low voter turnout till 9 am on Saturday, May 25. An average voter turnout of 8.94 was recorded in Delhi till 9 am, with the lowest in New Delhi constituency.