LS Phase 6: Overall Voter Turnout 63.48% Till 9 PM, Highest in WB
Catch all the latest updates from phase 6 of the Lok Sabha polls.
The overall voter turnout till 9 pm in Sunday’s polling for the sixth phase was at 63.48 percent, as per the Election Commission. West Bengal recorded the highest voter turnout with 80.35 percent , while Uttar Pradesh saw the least participation with 54.24 percent.
Sixty constituencies spread across eight states voted in the sixth phase of the Lok Sabha elections on Sunday, 12 May.
Voting took place in the following states: Bihar (8 parliamentary constituencies), Delhi (7), Haryana (10), Jharkhand (4), Uttar Pradesh (14) and West Bengal (8), Madhya Pradesh (8), Tripura (1).
- A total of 979 candidates across constituencies are in the fray
- At least 189 out of 967 candidates have criminal cases against them
- There are at least 311 candidates (32%) with assets worth Rs 1 crore or more
Click here for all the live polling day updates from Delhi.
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Phase 6 of Lok Sabha Polls: 60 Constituencies in 8 States to Vote on 12 May
A total of 60 constituencies across eight states will vote in the sixth phase of the Lok Sabha elections on Sunday, 12 May. In addition to the 59 constituencies that will vote on Sunday, re-polling will be held in 168 booths in 26 Assembly segments under the Tripura West parliamentary constituency.
A total of 979 candidates across the constituencies are in the fray. At least 189 out of 967 candidates have criminal cases against them. There are at least 311 (32 percent) candidates who have assets worth Rs 1 crore or more.
Tripura
The voting in as many as 168 polling booths of Tripura West Parliamentary constituency was declared void by the Election Commission, and will be held on 12 May.
The polls were originally held for the constituency in the first phase on 11 April.
West Bengal
Eight Lok Sabha seats are going to polls in the sixth phase of polling on 12 May. In 2014 elections, the Trinamool Congress had won these eight seats.
The eight Lok Sabha seats going to polls in West Bengal on 12 May are:
- Kanthi
- Tamluk
- Ghatal
- Jhargram
- Medinipur
- Purulia
- Bankura
- Bishnupur
Uttar Pradesh
There is a key contest in the Azamgarh and Sultanpur Lok Sabha constituencies of Uttar Pradesh, that are going to vote in the sixth phase of polling on 12 May. The state will also go to polls in the seventh phase.
The 14 Lok Sabha seats going to polls in Uttar Pradesh on 12 May are:
- Sultanpur
- Pratapgarh
- Phulpur
- Allahabad
- Ambedkar Nagar
- Shrawasti
- Domariyaganj
- Basti
- Sant Kabir Nagar
- Lalganj
- Azamgarh
- Jaunpur
- Machhlishahr
- Bhadohi
Former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav is up against BJP candidate and Bhojpuri star Dinesh Lal Yadav. In Sultanpur, Union Minister Maneka Gandhi, who is a sitting MP from Philibit, is seeking re-election.
Madhya Pradesh
As the Congress is looking to recreate the victory of the Assembly polls held in late 2018, the two of the most watched constituencies – Bhopal and Guna – are going to polls in the sixth phase of Lok Sabha polling on 12 May.
The eight Lok Sabha seats going to polls in Madhya Pradesh on 12 May are:
- Morena
- Bhind
- Gwalior
- Guna
- Sagar
- Vidisha
- Bhopal
- Rajgarh
BJP candidate Pragya Thakur, out on bail in the 2008 Malegaon blast case, will take on former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister and veteran Congress leader Digvijaya Singh.
Congress General Secretary Jyotiraditya Scindia, who was made in-charge of Uttar Pradesh earlier this year will be fighting from Guna. The BJP has fielded K P Yadav, a former Congressman who joined the saffron party earlier this year after being denied ticket for Mungaoli Assembly bypoll.
Jharkhand
The four Lok Sabha seats going to polls in Jharkhand on 12 May are:
- Giridih
- Dhanbad
- Jamshedpur
- Singhbhum
Cricketer-turned-politician and rebel BJP leader Kirti Azad, who recently joined Congress will be contesting from Dhanbad seat in Jharkhand. He will take on BJP strongman Pashupati Nath Singh, who has held the seat since 2009.
Haryana
Voters in all ten Lok Sabha constituencies of Haryana will cast their ballots on 12 May.
The ten Lok Sabha seats going to polls in Haryana on 12 May are:
- Ambala
- Kurukshetra
- Sirsa
- Hisar
- Karnal
- Sonipat
- Rohtak
- Bhiwani-Mahendragarh
- Gurgaon
- Faridabad
In the 2014 polls, the BJP had won seven seats, the Indian National Lok Dal bagged two, while the Congress could win only one seat in the state.
Bihar
The eight seats going to polls in Bihar, on Sunday, 12 May, are:
- Valmiki Nagar
- Paschim Champaran
- Purvi Champaran
- Sheohar
- Vaishali
- Gopalganj
- Siwan
- Maharajganj
In 2014, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had won all the eight seats mentioned above. The state will also go to polls in the seventh and final phase on 19 May.
Voting Begins in 6th Phase of Polling
Voting begins for 59 parliamentary constituencies in the sixth phase of polling across Bihar, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Jharkhand and Delhi.
2 BJP Workers Shot At in WB's East Medinipur
Two BJP workers Ananta Guchait & Ranjit Maity shot at last night in Bhagabanpur, East Medinipur in West Bengal. Both the injured admitted to hospital, as reported by ANI.
Pragya Singh Thakur Casts Vote in Bhopal
Bhopal BJP Candidate Pragya Singh Thakur casts her vote and urges people to vote too, as reported by Times Now.
“I have cast my vote to celebrate the festival of democracy. I urge everyone to go out and vote,” she said.
Virat Kohli Casts Vote in Gurugram
Indian cricket team captain Virat Kohli casts his vote at a polling booth in Pinecrest School in Gurugram, as reported by ANI.
Jyotiraditya Scindia Casts Vote in Gwalior
Congress leader Jyotiraditya Scindia casts his vote in Madhya Pradesh’s Gwalior, as reported by The Economic Times.
First Time Voter From Dhanbad, Jharkhand
A first time voter, Rita Kumari from Dhanbad in Jharkhand.
Voters Stand in Queue in Karnal's Prem Nagar Constituency
Uttar Pradesh Minister Sidharth Nath Singh Casts Vote in Prayagraj
Voters Come Out to Cast Vote in UP, Madhya Pradesh
BJP's Bharati Ghosh Alleges Assault by TMC
BJP leader and Ghatal candidate Bharati Ghosh alleges assault by Trinamool Congress in West Bengal, reports India Today. She claims that she was heckled and man-handled.
Virat Kohli Urges India to 'Go Vote'
Haryana Chief Minister ML Khattar Casts Vote in Karnal
Bihar Lok Sabha Elections: 9.03% Voting Till 9 AM
Haryana Lok Sabha Election: 3.74% Till 9 AM
Madhya Pradesh Elections: 4.01% Voting Till 9 AM
Uttar Pradesh Elections: 6.86% Voting Till 9 AM
West Bengal Elections: 6.58% Voting Till 9 AM
Jharkhand Elections: 12.45% Voting Till 9 AM
Locals Vandalise Bharati Ghosh's Convoy in Ghatal
Locals protest against BJP candidate Bharati Ghosh during her visit to polling booth in Ghatal, as reported by ANI.
The vehicles Ghosh's convoy also vandalized. She will file a complaint with the Election Commission.
UP Deputy CM Keshav Prasad Maurya Casts Vote
Jharkhand Elections: 15.36% Voting Till 10 AM
Bihar Elections: 9.03% Voting Till 10 AM
Haryana Elections: 9% Voting Till 10 AM
Madhya Pradesh Elections: 13% Voting Till 10 AM
JMM Chief Shibu Soren Casts Vote in Bokaro
JMM chief Shibu Soren cast his vote at Saint Xavier School in Bokaro, Jharkhand. Soren has expressed confidence that Grand Alliance will win more seat than 2014.
Uttar Pradesh Elections: 9% Voting Till 10 AM
West Bengal Elections: 17% Voting Till 10 AM
Voters From UP, Bihar & MP
Hoodas Cast Votes in Rohtak, Haryana
Congress candidate from Sonipat, Bhupinder Singh Hooda and Congress candidate from Rohtak, Deepender Singh Hooda, after casting their vote at a polling booth in Rohtak, Haryana.
Haryana Minister Kavita Jain Casts Vote in Sonipat
Haryana Minister Kavita Jain and her husband were among the first to cast their ballots at a polling booth in Sonipat on 12 May, as reported by IANS.
Dilip Ghosh Slams TMC, EC Seeks Report From DM
BJP state president Dilip Ghosh said:
When contacted, a senior official of the state CEO said a report was sought from the district magistrate in this connection.
BJP Alleges Rigging by TMC, Clash Breaks Out
A scuffle takes place between BJP workers and TMC workers at polling booth number 254 in Bankura after BJP alleged rigging by TMC workers, as reported by ANI.
Bihar Elections: 21% Voting Till 11 AM
Haryana Elections: 21% Voting Till 11 AM
Madhya Pradesh Elections: 26% Voting Till 11 AM
Uttar Pradesh Elections: 22% Voting Till 11 AM
West Bengal Elections: 38% Voting Till 11 AM
Jharkhand Elections: 1% Voting Till 11 AM
JJP's Dushyant Chautala Casts Vote With Family
Bihar Elections: 21% Voting Till 12:30 PM
Harayana Elections: 23% Voter Turnout Till 12:30 PM
Madhya Pradesh Elections: 28% Voting Till 12:30 PM
Uttar Pradesh Elections: 22% Voting Till 12:30 PM
West Bengal Elections: 38% Voting Till 12:30 PM
Jharkhand Elections: 31% Voting Till 12:30 PM
'TMC Goons Attacked Us At Rampura Booth in West Medinipur': Dilip Ghosh
West Bengal BJP Chief Dilip Ghosh, says, “At a booth in Rampura (West Medinipur), my people were being threatened since Saturday so I went to meet. TMC goons attacked us, we were stopped from going inside the booth. These people are stopping people from voting.”
BJP Youth Leader Arrested in WB For Sharing Photoshopped Image of CM Banerjee
Howrah District Club Cell Convener Priyanka Sharma said, Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha was arrested on charges of posting a photo-shopped picture of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. Her mother says, "She just shared the picture on social media like many others, since she is an opposition worker she was arrested."
Bihar Elections: 35% Voting Till 2 PM
Haryana Elections: 39.16% Voting Till 2 PM
Madhya Pradesh Elections: 42% Voting Till 2 PM
Uttar Pradesh Elections: 34% Voting Till 2 PM
West Bengal Elections: 56% Voting Till 2 PM
Jharkhand Elections: 47% Voting Till 2 PM
Overall Voter Turnout 46.52% Till 3 PM
The overall voter turnout till 3:00 pm was at 46.52 percent.
The state-wise voter turnout till 3 pm is as follows:
- West Bengal: 63.09 percent
- Delhi-36.73 percent
- Haryana: 47.57 percent
- Uttar Pradesh: 40.96 percent
- Bihar: 43.86 percent
- Jharkhand: 54.09 percent
- Madhya Pradesh: 48.53 percent
EC Orders FIR Against BJP Candidate Bharati Ghosh
The Election Commission on Sunday, 12 May, ordered an FIR against BJP candidate Bharati Ghosh for violating the poll code. She had allegedly entered a polling station accompanied by security personnel.
Ghosh is the BJP candidate in Bengal's Ghatal Lok Sabha constituency.
BJP, RSS Activists Entering WB Sporting Uniform of Central Forces: Mamata
Iterating that the BJP government was using the central forces to influence voters in West Bengal, CM Mamata Banerjee on Sunday said she feared that BJP and RSS activists have entered the state, sporting the uniform of the forces, to conduct polling.
"I do not disrespect the central forces. But they are being instructed to influence the voters. On the pretext of deploying central forces in West Bengal, the BJP is forcefully pushing BJP and RSS activists," she said while addressing a rally in Basanti area.
"I doubt that some RSS activists in (central forces') uniform are being pushed into West Bengal," Banerjee added.
LS Polls in Haryana: EVMs to Be Stored in 90 Strong Rooms
Ninety strong rooms have been set up at 30 locations in Haryana to store the EVMs and VVPAT machines safely after completion of voting in the ten Lok Sabha constituencies, State's Joint Chief Electoral Officer, Inder Jeet told PTI on Sunday.
He said Central Armed Police Force personnel (CAPF) would be deputed outside, while CCTV cameras would keep an eye inside the strong rooms.
"As per the directions of ECI, videography would be carried out of the entire process of keeping the EVMs and VVPAT machines in the strong room and sealing the room. The strong room would have only one door," Jeet said.
'Will Try to Reach Rajgarh in Time': Digvijaya on Being Asked If He'll Vote
Former Madhya Pradesh chief minister and senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh, during an interaction with ANI on Sunday, said that he will attempt to reach Rajgarh – the constituency where he casts his vote from – before polling closes.
"I will see... I will try to reach," he said.
Singh is contesting against BJP's Pragya Thakur for the Bhopal Lok Sabha seat. Both Bhopal and Rajgarh are polling on Sunday.
Overall Voter Turnout 50.77% Till 4 PM
The overall voter turnout till 4:00 pm was at 50.77 percent.
The state-wise voter turnout till 4 pm is as follows:
- West Bengal: 70.51 percent
- Delhi: 45.24 percent
- Haryana: 51.86 percent
- Uttar Pradesh: 43.26 percent
- Bihar: 44.4 percent
- Jharkhand: 58.08 percent
- Madhya Pradesh: 52.78 percent
Presiding Officer in Azamgarh Polling Station Removed After SP Complain
Following a complaint by the Samajwadi Party, a presiding officer was removed in Azamgarh, Uttar Pradesh by the Election Commission on Sunday.
As per The Times of India, the SP alleged that at booth number 57, set up at Primary School Mustafabad of Mehnagar Assembly constituency, the officer was casting votes on behalf of elder women and senior citizens.
Another report by PTI noted that SP in its complaint alleged that EVMs and VVPAT machines have been replaced at the polling station.
West Bengal Elections: 78.4% Voting Till 5 PM
Haryana Elections: 61.52 % Voting Till 5 PM
Uttar Pradesh Elections: 50.45 % Voting Till 5 PM
Bihar Elections: 55.04 % Voting Till 5 PM
Jharkhand Elections: 61.63 % Voting Till 5 PM
Madhya Pradesh Elections: 59.77 % Voting Till 5 PM
Regret Couldn't Go...Will Try Next Time: Digvijaya After Failing to Cast Vote
Former Madhya Pradesh chief minister and senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh, during an interaction with ANI on Sunday, said that he regrets that he could not reach Rajgarh on time to cast vote.
“Yes, I couldn't go to vote to Rajgarh and I regret it. Next time I will register my name in Bhopal.”
Singh is contesting against BJP's Pragya Thakur for the Bhopal Lok Sabha seat. Both Bhopal and Rajgarh are polling on Sunday.
Overall Voter Turnout 59.7% Till 6 PM
The overall voter turnout till 6 pm was at 59.7 percent.
The state-wise voter turnout till 6 pm is as follows:
- West Bengal: 80.13 percent
- Delhi: 55.44 percent
- Haryana: 62.14 percent
- Uttar Pradesh: 50.82 percent
- Bihar: 55.04 percent
- Jharkhand: 64.46 percent
- Madhya Pradesh: 60.12 percent
Overall Voter Turnout 61.14 % Till 7 PM
The overall voter turnout till 7 pm was at 61.14 percent.
The state-wise voter turnout till 7 pm is as follows:
- West Bengal: 80.16 percent
- Delhi: 56.11 percent
- Haryana: 62.91 percent
- Uttar Pradesh: 53.37 percent
- Bihar: 59.29 percent
- Jharkhand: 64.46 percent
- Madhya Pradesh: 60.40 percent
Overall Voter Turnout 62.27% Till 8 PM
The overall voter turnout till 8 pm was at 62.27 percent.
The state-wise voter turnout till 8 pm is as follows:
- West Bengal: 80.16 percent
- Delhi: 58.01 percent
- Haryana: 65.48 percent
- Uttar Pradesh: 54.24 percent
- Bihar: 59.29 percent
- Jharkhand: 64.50 percent
- Madhya Pradesh: 62.06 percent
Overall Voter Turnout 63.48% Till 9 PM
The Election Commission said that the overall voter turnout in Sunday’s polling across the states and Delhi was 63.48 percent with West Bengal recording over 80 percent polling, Bihar recording around 59.38 percent and Delhi registering just 60 percent. In 2014, it was 63.37 percent, EC said.
The EC said the polling percentage was recorded at 9 pm.The figure is provisional and the figure may rise as voting was going on in some places, it said.
BJP Alleges Poll Violence by TMC, Demands Repolling in Many Booths
The BJP on Sunday alleged that the Trinamool Congress let loose violence during the sixth phase of Lok Sabha elections in West Bengal, and demanded repolling in various booths in the state's Junglemahal area.
The saffron party's candidate Bharati Ghosh was allegedly attacked twice when the former IPS officer tried to visit polling stations in the Ghatal constituency, officials said.
Ghosh suffered minor injuries when a group of women allegedly attacked her as she tried to take a BJP agent inside a polling booth in Keshpur. One of her security guards was also injured when locals pelted stones at another booth.
The BJP alleged its candidate in Bankura, Subhas Sarkar came under attack, too, by alleged goons of the TMC.
The ruling TMC has dubbed the allegations as baseless.
Polling Official Dies After Accidental Shooting in Bihar
A polling staff in booth no. 275 of Shyampur Bhataha police station area in Sheohar district of Bihar died on Sunday after he was shot by a Home Guard jawan who accidently fired his rifle while cleaning his gun before the start of polls in the morning, Sheohar Sub-Divisional Police Officer Rakesh Kumar said.
The Muzaffarpur zonal IG said, "Legal action is being taken. The jawan has been detained and his weapon seized."
BJP MLA Thrashes Presiding Officer of Polling Booth in Bhadohi, FIR Registered
The Presiding Officer of booth no.359 in Aurai assembly constituency under Bhadohi Lok Sabha constituency in Uttar Pradesh was allegedly thrashed by BJP MLA Dinanath Bhaskar on Sunday.
The police said that the MLA and three others thrashed him alleging voting was being held at a slow pace. An FIR has been registered and action is being taken.