Lok Sabha Elections 2019 voting HIGHLIGHTS: 66% voter turnout in phase 3 of Lok Sabha elections

A total of 117 seats in 13 states and 2 Union Territories went to polls in the third phase of the Lok Sabha elections on Tuesday. Voting tookplace for all 26 constituencies in Gujarat, all 20 seats in Kerala, 14 each in Maharashtra and Karnataka, 10 in Uttar Pradesh, seven in Chhattisgarh, six in Odisha, five each in Bihar and West Bengal, four in Assam, two in Goa, one each in Jammu and Kashmir, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu and Tripura.Read Highlights here:

7: 20 pm IST

Total voter turnout for 3rd phase of LS elections stands at 66%

Total voter turnout for 3rd phase of Lok Sabha Elections2019 is 66%.

Odisha - 58.18%

Tripura - 78.52%

Uttar Pradesh - 57.74%

West Bengal - 79.36

Chhattisgarh - 65.91%

Dadra & Nagar Haveli - 71.43%

Daman & Diu - 65.34%

Assam - 78.29%

Bihar - 59.97%

Goa - 71.09%

Gujarat - 60.21%

Jammu & Kashmir - 12.86%

Karnataka - 64.14%

Kerala - 70.21%

Maharashtra - 56.57%

 

6:25 pm IST

Singer Hans Raj Hans files nomination form North West Delhi

Singer Hans Raj Hans after filing his nomination from North West Delhi constituency as a BJP candidate: I have been a warrior since my childhood, I have to win. I am a son of a farm labourer, it is in my genes to work hard. I consider PM Modi as my hero, reports news agency ANI.

 

6: 16 pm IST

Voting concludes in Assam’s Dhubri

Assam: Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) & VVPATs being packed at polling booth no.199 in Dhubri after voting concludes there, reports news agency ANI.

 

6:00 pm IST

Gautam Gambhir files nomination from East Delhi

Delhi: BJP’s Gautam Gambhir files his nomination for the East Delhi parliamentary constituency, reports news agency ANI.

 

5: 32 pm IST

Voter turn out till 5 pm of different states

Voter turn out till 5 pm in different states -

Goa- 69.79%

Bihar- 54.94%

Assam- 74.05%

Gujarat - 58.43 %

Jammu and Kashmir- 11.99%

Karnataka- 60.87%

Kerala- 68.55%

Maharashtra- 54.80%

Odisha- 57.12%

Tripura- 70.04%

Uttar Pradesh - 56.16%

West Bengal- 78.93%

Chhasttigarh- 63.20%

Dadar and Nagar Haveli- 71.43%

Daman and Diu- 64.82%

5: 31 pm IST

61.05% voter turn out in LS phase 3 elections till 5 pm

61.05 percent voter turn out reported in Lok Sabha elections phase 3 till 5 pm

5: 22 pm IST

Election commission sets up polling booth for 1 voter in Gujarat’s Gir forest

Gujarat:A polling booth in Gir Forest has been set up for 1 voter in Junagadh.Voter Bharatdas Bapu says,“Govt spends money for this polling booth for 1 vote.I’ve voted&it’s 100% voter turnout here.For 100% voter turnout everywhere,I request all to go&vote,” reports news agency ANI.

 

4: 47 pm IST

65% voting in Kerala till 4:30 pm

Voter turn out in Kerala till 4:30 pm stands at 65 percent, with no instances of violence

4: 46 pm IST

Kejriwal alleges several instances of faulty EVMs in polls in Goa

Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday alleged that there have been several instances of faulty electronic voting machines in Goa during polling for the third phase of Lok Sabha elections.

In a series of tweets, Kejriwal tagged reports of alleged faulty electronic voting machines, reports news agency PTI.

 

4:09 pm IST

Woman voter dies in Chhattisgarh

A 46-year-old tribal woman collapsed Tuesday while standing in a queue to cast her vote in Raigarh Lok Sabha constituency in Chhattisgarh and later died at hospital, police said.

The woman, Anjela Toppo, was waiting for her turn to exercise her franchise at polling booth no.3 in police line area in the Raigarh district headquarter when she collapsed, said Raigarh Additional Superintendent of Police Abhishek Verma.

Toppo was rushed in a police vehicle to district hospital where she died during treatment, he said.

4:07 pm IST

11 candidates found asking for votes on social media after campaigning period ended

The chief electoral officer here has sought details from district magistrates after 11 third phase Lok Sabha candidates were found seeking votes on social media in the 48 hours before polls on Tuesday, reported news agency PTI.

According to the office of the Chief Electoral Officer here, five candidates of the BJP, four of the SP-BSP alliance and two of the Congress have been found using social media in the past 48 hours, even though the electioneering period had ended.

They are Parmeshwar Lal Saini (Sambhal), Chandrasen Jadon (Firozabad), Sanghmitra Maurya (Badaun), Rajvir Singh (Etah), Kunwar Sarvesh Kumar Singh (Moradabad) from the BJP, Hemraj Verma (Pilibhit), Akshay Yadav ( Firozabad), Ruchi Veera (Aonla), Bhagwat Saran Gangwar (Bareilly) from the SP-BSP combine, Imran Pratapgarhi (Moradabad) and Praveen Singh Aron (Bareilly) from the Congress, officials said.

3:52 pm IST

Voter dies at booth in Aonla LS seat

A 60-year-old voter died at a booth in Jagat township of Aonla Lok Sabha seat after suffering an asthmatic attack.

Balakram Prajapati, an asthma patient, was standing in the queue for casting vote when he suffered the attack, family members told the administration.

3:51 pm IST

Azam Khan casts vote

Samajwadi Party leader and SP-BSP-RLD candidate from Uttar Pradesh Rampur, Azam Khan, and his son Abdullah Azam Khan, cast their vote at a polling station in the district.

3:49 pm IST

Polling agent found dead in Bengal

Babulal Murmu, a polling agent was found dead at his house in Buniadpur, Dakshin Dinajpur, reported news agency ANI.

More details awaited.

3:40 pm IST

At 3pm, 51.16% voter turnout

At 3 pm, voter turnout in Phase 3 of Lok Sabha polls stood at 51.16%. The voter turnout in Assam was 62.13%, 46.94% in Bihar, 58.55% in Goa, 50.36% in Gujarat, 10.64% in Jammu and Kashmir, 49.96% in Karnataka, 55.05% in Kerala, 44.70% in Maharashtra, 46.70% in Odisha, 61.38% in Tripura, 46.99% in Uttar Pradesh, 67.52% in West Bengal, 55.29% in Chhattisgarh, 56.81% in Dadra and Nagar Haveli, and 55.02% in Daman and Diu.

3:37 pm IST

Polling official on duty collapses, dies at Odisha booth

A polling official at booth number 41 in Kantapal village in Odisha’s Dhenkanal passed away, after collapsing while on duty, reported news agency ANI.

3:20 pm IST

NDA candidate from Wayanad demands re-polling after EVM malfunction

Thushar Vellappally, NDA candidate from Wayanad Lok Sabha constituency, on Tuesday demanded re-polling after an electronic voting machine (EVM) malfunctioned at a polling booth here.

“Let me draw your kind attention to an important matter. It is reported from booth number 79 - CMS Higher Secondary School, Arappatta in Mooppanad Panchayath that the voting machine is damaged. A vote is not being cast even after pressing twice,” a letter by Vellappally through Chief Election Agent Advocate Sinil Kumar G read.

3:14 pm IST

PM Modi’s wife casts her vote

Jashodaben Narendrabhai Modi, the wife of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Tuesday casts her vote at a polling booth in Unjha, a town in Gujarat.

Minutes after casting her vote she said, “Modi sahab has done a lot for the country, he will do more.”

Besides Prime Minister’s wife, his mother Heeraben Modi also cast her vote at a polling booth in Gujarat’s Gandhinagar district.

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Modi met his mother Heeraben Modi in Gandhinagar and sought blessings.

3:10 pm IST

Former PM Manmohan Singh casts vote

Former prime minister Dr Manmohan Singh cast his vote at a polling booth in Assam’s Dispur.

2:51 pm IST

Voter killed at polling booth in West Bengal’s Murshidabad

52-year-old Tiyarul Kalam was killed in Murshidabad district of West Bengal. He is the first person to have been murdered in the three phases in Bengal.

Four persons were also injured in the clash that erupted between Congress and Trinamool workers, said his son, who is a first time voter and was standing in a queue with his father when the clash started.

Piyarul was caught in the clash.

He was taken to a hospital where doctors declared Piyarul dead on arrival.

2:42 pm IST

Mehbooba Mufti casts her vote

PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti cast her vote at polling booth number-37D in Bijbehara area of Jammu and Kashmir’s Anantnag district.

2:37 pm IST

At 2pm, 38.10% voter turnout

At 2 pm, voter turnout in Phase 3 of Lok Sabha polls stood at 38.10%. The voter turnout in Assam was 46.61%, 37.05% in Bihar, 46.36% in Goa, 39.27% in Gujarat, 9.63% in Jammu and Kashmir, 36.74% in Karnataka, 40.80% in Kerala, 32.36% in Maharashtra, 32.82% in Odisha, 45.54% in Tripura, 29.76% in Uttar Pradesh, 52.60% in West Bengal, 42.97% in Chhattisgarh, 37.20% in Dadra and Nagar Haveli, and 42.99% in Daman and Diu.

2:07 pm IST

Kid plays with CRPF jawan while mother casts vote

2:05 pm IST

Sabarimala: Will it, won’t it impact Kerala polls

As electorate in Kerala queue up to cast their vote on Tuesday, the big question on everyone’s mind is whether and how will the Sabarimala temple controversy impact their decision.

Since September 28 last year, when the Supreme Court ordered the shrine to open its doors to all women, the state has been torn between Pinarayi Vijayan-led Left government firm on implementing the order and the Hindutva brigade led by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) adamant on protecting its sacred traditions and customs.

2:00 pm IST

Arun Jaitley casts vote

Finance minister and BJP leader Arun Jaitley cast his vote at a polling booth in Gujarat’s Ahmedabad.

1:35 pm IST

Veteran BJP leader LK Advani casts his vote

Veteran BJP leader LK Advani casts his vote at a polling booth at Shahpur Hindi School in Gujarat’s Ahmedabad.

1:05 pm IST

At 1pm, 37.92% voter turnout

At 1 pm, voter turnout in Phase 3 of Lok Sabha polls stood at 37.92%. The voter turnout in Assam was 46.61%, 37.05% in Bihar, 46.36% in Goa, 39.27% in Gujarat, 9.63% in Jammu and Kashmir, 36.74% in Karnataka, 39.96% in Kerala, 32.01% in Maharashtra, 32.82% in Odisha, 44.76% in Tripura, 29.76% in Uttar Pradesh, 52.40% in West Bengal, 42.97% in Chhattisgarh, 37.20% in Dadra and Nagar Haveli, and 42.99% in Daman and Diu.

12:57 pm IST

‘Central forces trying to influence voters to vote for BJP’: TMC lodges complaint

Trinamool Congress has lodged a complaint with the sub divisional officer that in booths 166 and 167 in English Bazar area of Malda South constituency central forces were trying to influence voters to cast their votes in favour of the Bharatiya Janata Party candidate.

12:41 pm IST

‘Voters are the real judge’: Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel

“We have said what we had to say in favour of the party and our candidates, now voters will decide. They are the real judge,” said Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel after casting his vote at polling booth number 55 in Durg in the 3rd phase of polling of Lok Sabha elections 2019.

12:36 pm IST

Less than 5% voter turnout in J-K’s Anantnag in 4 hours

Less than five per cent of the 5.30 lakh electorate of Anantnag district in the Anantnag Lok Sabha constituency of Jammu and Kashmir exercised their franchise in the first four hours of polling Tuesday.

The overall poll percentage in Anantnag at 11.00 am was 4.79 per cent, an official spokesman said in Srinagar.

Nearly three per cent voting was recorded in the first two hours, he said.

Polling will end at 4.00 pm, instead of the usual 6.00 pm, following a request by police.

12:29 pm IST

Congress, AAP raise concern over faulty EVMs in Goa

The opposition Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Tuesday claimed that EVMs and VVPAT machines malfunctioned at some polling booths in Goa.

Leader of Opposition in Goa Assembly Chandrakant Kavlekar alleged foul play by the BJP and said he will complain about this to the Election Commission.

Expressing concern over faulty EVMs in Cuncolim and Quepem Assembly segments, he said, “During mock polling, all votes were getting registered in the BJP’s name despite pressing buttons of other parties. I will be filing a complaint with the Election Commission. This is foul play by the BJP.” AAP’s South Goa Lok Sabha seat nominee Elvis Gomes also claimed that during the mock drill at a booth in Cuncolim, the votes registered were more than those polled.

12:27 pm IST

Ceiling fan falls on polling officer’s head in UP’s Etah

The presiding officer on duty at Mohara booth in Marhara assembly constituency of Etah Lok Sabha seat sustained head injury when a ceiling fan at the polling booth fell on his head.

‘Sri Kishan was referred to SN Medical College in Agra for treatment’ said Swapnil Mamgain, the SSP Of Etah district.

‘We have asked for his CT Scan in Agra’ added SSP Etah.

12:20 pm IST

Akhilesh Yadav to cast vote in Saifai

Akhilesh Yadav reached air strip at Saifai to caste his vote. He complained about widespread malfunctioning of EVM nationwide. “We wish that voting take place with proper working EVM for healthy democracy’ says Akhilesh before moving for polling station in Saifai of Mainpuri constituency.

12:18 pm IST

68-year-old cancer patient casts vote in Assam

A 68-year-old man, named Basir Ali, who is suffering from cancer, on Tuesday cast vote in Guwahati.

Ali was accompanied by his childhood friend, Mukut Choudhary.

“Ali has come to set an example for the people to come out and exercise their power of vote. Doctors have advised him rest. However, he wanted to come here and vote. Ali is on the last stage of cancer and might die within a short time, doctors have said this. We have come here in a rickshaw,” Choudhary told ANI here.

12:12 pm IST

Hardik Patel casts his vote

12:05 pm IST

Mallikarjun Kharge casts his vote

Senior Congress leader and Gulbarga candidate Mallikarjun Kharge casts his vote at polling booth number 119 in Karnataka’s Gulabarga.

12:01 pm IST

Snake inside VVPAT machine holds up polling in Kannur

An unusual “visitor” in a polling booth in the Kannur Lok Sabha constituency, held up voting for a brief while Tuesday.

A small snake was found inside a VVPAT machine in a booth at Mayyil Kandakkai in the constitutency, which is witnessing heavy polling, triggering panic among officials and voters.

However, the reptile was soon removed and voting continued.

The Kannur constituency, where sitting MP P K Sreemathy (CPI-M-LDF), K Surendrdan (Cong-UDF) and C K Padmanabhan (BJP-NDA) are trying their luck, is witnessing brisk polling since the morning.

11:31 am IST

At 11 am, 23.82% voter turnout

At 11 am, voter turnout in Phase 3 of Lok Sabha polls stood at 23.82%. The voter turnout in Assam was 28.64%, 25.65% in Bihar, 28.49% in Goa, 28.47% in Gujarat, 4.72% in Jammu and Kashmir, 21.04% in Karnataka, 25.72% in Kerala, 17.26% in Maharashtra, 18.58% in Odisha,29.21% in Tripura, 22.39% in Uttar Pradesh, 35% in West Bengal, 27.29% in Chhattisgarh, 21.62% in Dadra and Nagar Haveli, and 23.93% in Daman and Diu.

11:16 am IST

Each vote is important: Amit Shah

BJP President Amit Shah declared on Tuesday after voting in the Lok Sabha elections here that “each vote is important”.

“Each vote is important and a vote can make the country competent,” he told the media after he voted in Naranpura area.

Shah urged the first time voters to vote for the future of the country.

11:14 am IST

‘Give anger a voice,’ appeals Omar Abdullah

In the first two hours of voting in phase three of Lok Sabha polls, not a single vote was cast in Jammu and Kashmir’s Ananatnag Lok Sabha constituency, a hotbed of militant activities, while former chief minister Omar Abdullah urged people to ‘vote to give anger a voice’.

“To the voters of Anantnag, please don’t reward the death, destruction & deceit of the last 4 years by staying home & boycotting the election. Come out & vote to give your anger a voice. Vote for the best candidate in the field, vote for @masoodi_hasnain,” Abdullah tweeted while seeking votes for his candidate.

11:13 am IST

20.5% polling recorded in first four hours in Kerala

The voter turnout in Kerala was recorded at 20.5% in first four hours of polling.

11:01 am IST

Anna Hazare casts vote

Social activist Anna Hazare after cast his vote in Ralegan Siddhi,Ahmednagar District, Maharashtra.

10:52 am IST

Petroleum minister Dharmendra Pradhan in queue to vote

Union petroleum minister Dharmendra Pradhan queued up with his wife Mridula to cast his vote at Talcher Assembly constituency under Dhenkanal Lok Sabha constituency of Odisha.

10:51 am IST

Priyank Kharge casts vote

Priyank Kharge and his wife Shruthi Kharge cast their votes at polling station number 26, in Karnataka’s Gundagurti village, in Kalaburagi Lok Sabha constituency.

10:49 am IST

Kashmiri Pandits cast votes

Kashmiri Pandits cast their votes at a Special Polling Station in Jammu and Kashmir’s Udhampur, for Anantnag parliamentary constituency.

10:47 am IST

EVMs across India malfunctioning or voting for BJP: Akhilesh Yadav

“EVMs across India malfunctioning or voting for the BJP. DMs say poll officials untrained to operate EVMs. 350+ being replaced. This is criminal negligence for a polling exercise that costs 50,000 crs.

Should we believe DMs @ECISVEEP, or is something far more sinister afoot?,” tweets SP chief Akhilesh Yadav.

10:43 am IST

BJP candidate Kummanam Rajasekhran in queue to vote

BJP candidate Kummanam Rajasekhran, also former governor of Mizoram, stood in queue to cast his vote.

10:34 am IST

Rampur police detains e-rickshaw drivers allegedly hired by SP to ferry voters to polling booth

Rampur police have detained at least four e-rickshaw driver who were paid to ferry voters to polling booth. They were allegedly hired by SP workers. Further investigation is on.

10:32 am IST

Entire set of EVMs replaced for AC 34, PS No 31: Goa CEO

“Entire set of EVMs has been replaced for AC 34, PS No 31 as per report from DEO South Goa,” said Goa chief electoral officer, reported news agency ANI.

10:23 am IST

300 EVMs malfunction in UP’s Rampur: Abdullah Azam

Three hundred EVMs have been reported faulty in Uttar Pradesh’s Rampur.

Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan’s son Abdullah Azam has accused the administration of bias, saying that Muslims are not being allowed to vote.

However, chief electoral officer, L Venkateshwar Lu said the allegation by Azam Khan and SP MLA Abdullah Azam about malfunctioning of 300 EVMs is baseless. The DM Rampur has sent his report to the CEO office.

10:18 am IST

PM Modi’s mother casts vote in Ahmedabad

PM Modi’s mother casts vote in Gujarat Ahmedabad, Apr 23 (PTI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s mother Hiraba on Tuesday cast her vote for the Lok Sabha polls at a booth in Gujarat’s Gandhinagar district.

Hiraba, 95, who lives with her younger son Pankaj Modi at Raisan village, located around 10 km from Gandhinagar city, arrived at the polling booth set up in the gram panchayat and exercised her franchise.

She was accompanied by her Pankaj Modi and other family members.

10:12 am IST

Kovalam voters complain of faulty EVMs

“In one of the booths in Kovalam polling was disrupted after some voters complained that their vote was automatically going to BJP.

“ We have complained to returning officer. The district collector is examining this” said Kovalam MLA MP Vincent.

However, collector Dr Vasuki said the machine was replaced. VVPAT slips will be counted later, and that it was only a technical error.

Chief electoral officer Tikaram Meena said after rains last night some machines developed moisture leading to some snags.

10:09 am IST

Complaints of mix up, workers should keep a vigil: Shashi Tharoor

“I am confident I will retain the seat with a high margin. There are some complaints of mix up. Workers should keep a vigil” said Congress leader Shashi Tharoor after casting his vote

10:02 am IST

Women waiting in queue dies

In Kerala’s Kannur, a woman voter collapsed and died while standing in voters’ queue.

10:00 am IST

Over 50 EVMs reported faulty in UP

Over 50 polling booths have reported EVM malfunction since morning in Rohilkhand region. 27 of these were reported from Badaun. 14 incidents of malfunction in Bareilly, 11 in Moradabad, seven in Sambhal and five each on Pilibhit and Aonla. Polling got delayed at these booths because of the malfunction and election officials are attending to them.

9:55 am IST

At 9 am, 16.94% voter turnout in West Bengal, 9% in Odisha

At 9 am, the voter turnout in West Bengal stood at 16.94% and 9% in Odisha.

In West Bengal’s Balurghat constituency voter turnout was 17.28%, 16.11% in Malda North, 16.22% in Malda South, 17.54% in Jangipur, and 17.54% in Murshidabad.

9:47 am IST

Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik casts vote

Chief minister of Odisha Naveen Patnaik casts his vote at a polling booth in Bhubaneswar.

9:45 am IST

‘Congress-led UDF will sweep polls in Kerala’: AK Antony

“Congress-led UDF will sweep polls in Kerala”, said Congress leader AK Antony after casting his votes in state capital Thiruvananthapuram.

“Kerala will give maximum seats to elevate Rahul Gandhi as PM. It is a verdict against both, state and central governments” said AK Antony.

9:43 am IST

Voting underway in Maharashtra’s 14 Lok Sabha seats

Voting continued on a peaceful note for 14 Lok Sabha constituencies in Maharashtra here on Tuesday morning.

The fate of several political stalwarts, scions, royals and rebels, including Shiv Sena Union Minister Anant Geete, state BJP President Raosaheb Danve-Patil and big political clans, will be decided by voters in: Jalgaon, Raver, Jalna, Aurangabad, Raigad, Pune, Baramati, Ahmednagar, Madha, Sangli, Satara, Ratnagiri-Sindhudurg, Kolhapur and Hathkanangale constituencies.

The main contests are between the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-Shiv Sena and opposition Congress-Nationalist Congress Party, besides the Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) Dalit-Muslim front comprising Prakash Ambedkar’s Bharipa Bahujan Mahasangh and Owaisi brothers’ All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen, and some local/regional parties.

Among the early voters were Danve-Patil, NCP senior leader and former Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar with his family, Bollywood actor Amol Palekar and his family and others.

9:41 am IST

Voter turnout at 9 am

At 9 am, voter turnout in Assam was 12.36%, 12.60% in Bihar, 2.29% in Goa, 1.35% in Gujarat, 0.00% in Jammu and Kashmir, 1.75% in Karnataka, 2.48% in Kerala, 0.99% in Maharashtra, 1.32% in Odisha, 1.56% in Tripura, 6.84% in UP, 10.97% in West Bengal, 2.24% in Chhattisgarh, 0.00% in Dadra&Nagar Haveli, and 5.83% in Daman& Diu, as reported by news agency ANI.

9:35 am IST

BJP chief Amit Shah casts his vote in Ahmedabad

BJP chief Amit Shah along with his wife cast his vote in Ahmedabad today.

9:22 am IST

Goa CM Pramod Sawant casts vote

Goa chief minister Pramod Sawant and his wife Sulakshana cast their votes at Pale in North Goa.

9:17 am IST

Newly-wed couples at polling booth in UP

Newly-wed couples were seen at a polling booth in Uttar Pradesh’s Firozabad.

9:13 am IST

27 incidents of EVM malfunction in UP’s Badaun constituency

Twenty seven separate incidents of EVM malfunction have been reported in Uttar Pradesh’s Badaun constituency.

9:10 am IST

Voting underway in Karnataka’s 14 Lok Sabha seats

Voting was underway on Tuesday in the 14 Lok Sabha constituencies across western and northern Karnataka amid tight security, said an election official.

“Voting began at 7 a.m. in 28,022 polling stations across the regions, including 216 all-women (’sakhi’) and 39 ethnic booths for gender and tribal empowerment,” the official told IANS in Bengaluru.

Among the early voters were the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) state unit president B.S. Yeddyurappa and his family at Shikaripura in the Shimoga parliamentary seat, and BJP candidate Umesh Jadav at Chincholi in the Gulbarga (SC) constituency.

Yeddyurappa’s second son B.Y. Raghavendra is contesting from Shimoga for the third time against Madhu Bangarappa, son of late Congress Chief Minster S. Bangarappa.

9:06 am IST

Voting in 10 Lok Sabha seats in UP

Voting for the crucial third phase for 10 Lok Sabha seats in Uttar Pradesh began on Tuesday that will decide the fate of four members of SP patron Mulayam Singh Yadav’s clan, besides senior party leader Azam Khan and his bete noir BJP’s Jaya Prada.

A total of 1.78 crore electorates would would choose from 120 candidates contesting in Muradabad, Rampur, Sambhal, Ferozabad, Mainpuri, Etah, Badaun, Aonwla, Bareilly and Pilibhit, where polling began at 7 a.m. and would end at 6 p.m.

“Arrangements have been made to conduct fair and peaceful polling,” said Additional Chief Electoral Officer Dr Brahm Dev Tiwari.

9:00 am IST

BJP MP candidate from Bhubaneswar, Aparajita Sarangi casts her vote

Former IAS officer and BJP MP candidate from Bhubaneswar, Aparajita Sarangi casts her vote at polling booth in Government Primary School, IRC village, in Odisha’s Bhubaneswar. She is up against former IPS officer and BJD candidate Arup Patnaik.

8:45 am IST

‘Voter ID more powerful than IED’: PM Modi

“The weapon of terrorism is IED, the strength of democracy is voter ID. I can say with surety that the voter ID is much more powerful than an IED, so we should understand the strength of our voter IDs,” said PM Narendra Modi after casting his vote in Ahmedabad.

8:36 am IST

‘Feels pure after casting vote in festival of democracy’: PM Modi

“I am fortunate that I also got the opportunity to fulfil my duty in my home state of Gujarat. Like you feel pure after a holy dip in Kumbh, one feels pure after casting vote in this festival of democracy,” said PM Modi after casting his vote in Ahmedabad.

8:31 am IST

Polling yet to gain pace in UP’s Mainpuri

Polling is yet to gain pace in Uttar Pradesh’s Mainpuri.

8:18 am IST

PM Modi arrives at polling booth

PM Narendra Modi and BJP national chief Amit Shah arrived at a polling booth in Ahmedabad.

8:11 am IST

Selfie points at model polling booths

Young voters were seen taking selfies at polling booth in Uttar Pradesh’s Etah. Selfie points have been set up at model polling booths this time to attract voters.

8:06 am IST

Mayawati appeals to voters to exercise their ‘invaluable constitutional right’

Bahujan Samajwadi Party leader Mayawati on Tuesday appealed to voters to exercise their “invaluable constitutional right” to choose a government that will work in their favour as polling started for the third phase of Lok Sabha election.

“Voting for the third phase of election is underway to elect the 17th Lok Sabha. I appeal to all voters to participate in the polling in large numbers. Voting is your invaluable constitutional right and which will help you choose a government of your choice and welfare to make your life happy,” Mayawati tweeted in Hindi.

“The country’s 130 crore people, and especially the crores of educated youth and unemployed, do not want a BJP government that forces them to sell pakodas and tea and become a security guard rather than giving them jobs and deploys harmful anti-people policies,” she wrote.

8:00 am IST

Kerala CM in queue to cast his vote

Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan queued up to cast his vote at polling booth in RC Amala Basic UP School in in Kannur district.

7:52 am IST

TMC leader’s husband hit with sticks in Bengal

Tojammel Ansari, the husband of Majeda Bibi, Trinamool Congress councillor of ward 7 of Domkal municipality was hit with sticks on the head in before polling began. He was rushed to a hospital in critical condition.

One of his associates was hit in the arm.

TMC workers alleged that supporters of the Congress and Communist Party of India (Marxist) attacked him with sticks.

7:50 am IST

Central forces guard polling stations in Bengal

As many as 92% of the polling stations in the five constituencies of Bengal, where polling is being held today, are guarded by central forces.

7:48 am IST

Amit Shah urges voters to come out in large numbers

7:46 am IST

PM Modi to vote in Ahmedabad shortly

“Urging all those voting in today’s Third Phase of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections to do so in record numbers. Your vote is precious and will shape the direction our nation takes in the years to come.

I’ll be voting in Ahmedabad in a short while from now,” tweeted PM Narendra Modi.

7:45 am IST

EVM glitches across several poll booths

Snags in Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) were reported on Tuesday at a few places as polling started in 117 parliamentary constituencies across 13 states and two Union Territorries in the biggest phase of Lok Sabha elections .

Voters complained of slow speed and non-functional EVMs in early hours on Tuesday in Uttar Pradesh’s Firozabad, Bareilly and Aonla. Problems with VVPAT was also reported from a booth in Firozabad

In Kerala, EVM snags were reported from several places. In Bihar’s Supaul, a faulty EVM had to be replaced before voting began.

7:31 am IST

PM Modi reaches mother’s Gandhinagar residence

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives at his mother’s residence in Gandhinagar. He will cast his vote in Ahmedabad, shortly.

7:28 am IST

Karnataka BJP MP candidate from Shimoga BY Raghvendra casts vote

Karnataka BJP MP candidate from Shimoga BY Raghvendra casts his vote at a polling booth in Shikaripura, in the third phase of general elections.

7:26 am IST

Voters queue outside polling booths in West Bengal’s Malda

Voters have queued outside polling booth in Kotwali Junior Basic School, West Bengal’s Malda. Five Lok Sabha constituencies in the state are voting in the third phase of general elections today.

7:23 am IST

Gazetted officers on vigil outside polling booths

Twenty gazetted officers equipped with drone cameras are on vigil in Uttar Pradesh’s Firozabad where there is and interesting contest between nephew, sitting MP Akshay Yadav taking and his uncle Shivpal Yadav who created new party Pragatisheel Samajwadi Party to file nomination.

7:06 am IST

Party leaders offer prayers before polling

In Karnataka, BJP candidate from Gulbarga Lok Sabha constituency, Dr Umesh Jadhav, offered prayers at Sharana Basaveshwara Temple in Kalaburagi. Congress’ Mallikarjun Kharge is the sitting MP from the parliamentary constituency.

Former CM BS Yeddyurappa visited Hucharaya Swamy temple in Shikaripura, in Shimoga district.

Former CM BS Yeddyurappa at Hucharaya Swamy temple in Shikaripura. ( ANI Photo )

7:00 am IST

Voting begins

Voting across 117 Lok Sabha seats in 13 states and two union territories began at 7 am.

Over 18 crore 85 lakh voters to decide fate of 1640 candidates and over 2 lakh 10 thousand polling booths have been set up in place for smooth conduct of polls.

6:47 am IST

Voters queue outside polling booth in Assam

Polling is scheduled to begin at 7am, however, people have already gathered in large numbers and have queued outside polling booths in Assam.

Voters queue outside a polling booth in Assam. ( HT Photo )

6:45 am IST

Preparations underway

In Karnataka, preparations are underway at polling station number 175 and 181 in Gulbarga Lok Sabha constituency. Voting for the third phase of elections will begin at 7 am today.

6:30 am IST

13 states and 2 union territories to go to polls today

117 parliamentary constituencies (PCs) will go to polls in what is the biggest of the seven phase general election schedule for 2019.

Parliamentary constituencies which will go to polls in each phase beginning today saw the BJP winning a majority in the 2014 elections. Of the 117 seats, the BJP won 62 and the NDA, 67, in 2014.

6:11 am IST

Voting on 117 seats in phase 3 to begin shortly

Voting on 117 seats in phase 3 to begin shortly.

05:55 AM IST

Do-or-die battle for Left, Congress in Kerala

After a high decibel 40-day-long campaign, Kerala will go to single phase polls Tuesday with Congress chief Rahul Gandhi, Union minister Alphons Kannamthanam and sitting MP Shashi Tharoor among those whose fortunes will be decided.

It is a do-or-die battle for both the ruling CPI(M)-led LDF and opposition Congress-headed UDF in most of the 20 Lok Sabha seats this time in the state, known for its decades-long bipolar politics.

05:50 AM IST

Five LS seats in West Bengal to go polls in the third phase

Five West Bengal Lok Sabha constituencies - Balurghat, Maldaha North, Maldaha South, Jangipur and Murshidabad will go to the polls in the third phase of elections on Tuesday.

The ruling Trinamool Congress in West Bengal, BJP and Congress are the main contenders in the five seats in which the fate of 61 candidates will be decided by a 80,23,852-strong electorate.

05:45 AM IST

Rahul Gandhi’s decision to contest from Wayanad adds new interest

In Kerala, Rahul Gandhi’s decision to contest from Wayanad besides his traditional Amethi seat has added new interest to the fight between rivals UDF and LDF for the 20 seats. The BJP has also aggressively campaigned in the hope of opening its account in the southern state by capitalising on the Sabarimala shrine women entry issue.

05:40 AM IST

Anantnag to vote in three phases

The Anantnag Lok Sabha constituency in Jammu and Kashmir goes to the polls in the third phase on Tuesday even as the security forces face a serious challenge to ensure that the democratic process passes off peacefully.

Due to the overwhelming security concerns, the Anantnag parliamentary constituency comprising four districts -- Anantnag, Kulgam, Shopian and Pulwama -- will vote in three phases. Polling in Anantnag will be held on Tuesday, followed by Kulgam (April 29) and Pulwama and Shopian (May 6).

Over 100 additional companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) have been deployed to augment an already existing large contingent of state police and CAPF personnel deployed on poll duty in this constituency.

05:35 AM IST

Security beefed up for third phase of Lok Sabha elections

Security has been beefed up in the states going to polls for the third phase of Lok Sabha elections today.

The official said check posts are being set up on the roads and highways bordering neighbouring states to check flow of transportation of cash, liquor and weapons into the districts where polling will be held.

05:30 AM IST

BJP will be tested in its bastion Gujarat

This time the BJP will be tested in its bastion Gujarat -- where polling will be held for all the 26 Lok Sabha seats -- apart from Karanataka, Chhattisgarh and Uttar Pradesh, where the party had done well in 2014.

In 2014, the BJP won all the 26 seats in Gujarat, 11 of 14 in Karnataka, 8 of 10 in Uttar Pradesh, 6 of 7 in Chhattisgarh, 6 of 14 in Maharashtra, both the seats in Goa and one seat each in Assam, Bihar, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu.

05:25 AM IST

BJP aims to defend the 62 of the 117 third phase seats it won in 2014

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will aim to defend the 62 of the 117 third phase seats it won in 2014 and its performance in this phase will be crucial in deciding its political fortunes.

The Congress had won 16 seats, while the remaining seats were divided between BJD (6), CPI-M (7), NCP (4), Samajwadi Party (3), Shiv Sena (2), RJD (2), AIUDF (2), IUML (2), LJP (1), PDP (1), RSP (1), Kerala Congress-M (1), CPI (1), Swabhimani Paksha (1) and Trinamool Congress (1). Three seats were won by Independent candidates.

05:20 AM IST

LS poll debutants: Shah to make debut from Gandhinagar, whereas Congress president Rahul Gandhi from Wayanad

The presidents of the two main political parties are in fray in the third phase with BJP chief Amit Shah making his Lok Sabha election debut from Gandhinagar and Congress President Rahul Gandhi contesting from Wayanad.

05:15 AM IST

Lok Sabha elections: Constituencies and seats for third phase

Voting will be completed in all seats of Gujarat, Kerala, Goa, Karanataka, Chhattisgarh, Assam, Karnataka, Kerala, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu with the third phase polls.

Voting will take place for all 26 constituencies in Gujarat, all 20 seats in Kerala, 14 each in Maharashtra and Karnataka, 10 in Uttar Pradesh, seven in Chhattisgarh, six in Odisha, five each in Bihar and West Bengal, four in Assam, two in Goa, one each in Jammu and Kashmir, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu and Tripura.

05:10 AM IST

As many as 116 parliamentary constituencies to go for polls today

As many as 116 parliamentary constituencies will go for polls today across 13 states and two Union Territories in the third phase of the Lok Sabha elections.

05:00 AM IST

Third phase polling on Tuesday across 15 states today

People in 15 states will vote on Tuesday in the third phase of Lok Sabha elections scheduled for Tuesday which will see a maximum of 117 seats going to the polls in a single phase of seven-phased election.