LS Polls Come to Close, Nearly 64% Voting Recorded in Last Phase
Polling will be held in Varanasi, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi is fighting to retain his seat.
Voting for the marathon seven-phased Lok Sabha elections came to a close on Sunday, 19 May as nearly 64 percent turnout was recorded in the the last phase of polls in 59 seats, which also featured Prime Minister Narendra Modi's constituency Varanasi.
In the 2014 general elections, the highest ever voter turnout of 66.40 per cent was recorded.
Incidents of violence in West Bengal and clashes in Punjab were reported during the seventh and last phase of Lok Sabha polls on Sunday, 19 May, with 56.30 polling percentage being recorded till 5 pm in 59 seats.
The last phase of Lok Sabha elections, which will decide the fate of 918 candidates including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, also saw EVM glitches and poll boycott at some booths.
(Click here for all the live updates on bypolls across four states)
LS Polls: Violence in Bengal, Clashes in Punjab Reported; Over 56% Polling till 5 PM
Incidents of violence in West Bengal and clashes in Punjab were reported during the seventh and last phase of Lok Sabha polls on Sunday, 19 May, with 56.30 polling percentage being recorded till 5 pm in 59 seats.
According to the Election Commission app, in Uttar Pradesh, 48.90 per cent voting was recorded till 5 pm in 13 Lok Sabha seats, officials said.
The turnout in Varanasi was 46.53 per cent, while in Gorakhpur, it was 48.17 per cent. The highest turnout was 53.30 per cent in Deoria, while Ballia reported the lowest turnout of 42.51 per cent, the Election Commission said.
Incidents of violence were reported in West Bengal where 67.14 per cent of over 1.49 crore electorate exercised their franchise till 5 pm in nine Lok Sabha seats.
Punjab saw a polling percentage of 55.44 per cent till 5 pm in 13 Lok Sabha seats. More than 50 per cent turnout was registered in lone Chandigarh Lok Sabha seat, EC app stated . Maximum polling percentage was witnessed at 62.67 in Sangrur and the lowest was in Hoshiarpur at 49.11.
In Himachal Pradesh, 58.10 per cent turnout was recorded till 5 pm in four Lok Sabha seats where five MLAs, including a state minister, are among the 45 candidates in the fray.
BJP Writes to Chief Electoral Officer of West Bengal on Poll Violence
The BJP has written to the Chief Electoral Officer of West Bengal, alleging violence in 9 parliamentary constituencies of the state, ANI reported.
"We have filed 417 complaints to ECI, out of which 227 were resolved, a whooping number of 190 complaints are unresolved," ANI quoted the letter as stating.
Voter Turnout in Madhya Pradesh Till 5 PM
Voter Turnout in West Bengal Till 5 PM
Voter Turnout in Punjab Till 5 PM
Voter Turnout in Bihar Till 5 PM
Voter Turnout in Uttar Pradesh Till 5 PM
Voter Turnout in Himachal Pradesh Till 5 PM
Voter Turnout in Chandigarh Till 5 PM
‘Never Seen Central Forces Being Misused Like This’: Mamata
After casting her vote from South Kolkata constituency, Mamata Banerjee told reporters that she had never seen central forces being used like this in any other election.
LS Polls: Mamata Casts Vote From South Kolkata Constituency
There Was Poll Violence 5 Years Ago As Well: Moon Moon Sen
Moon Moon Sen, TMC candidate from Asansol, when questioned about political violence in West Bengal across the seven phases, said that violence existed five years ago as well, and even during the CPM regime. Moon Moon Sen cast her vote from South Kolkata constituency.
When asked about reports of EVM malfunctioning, Sen said that the EC hadn’t “done its job at all.”
TMC Responds to Nirmala Sithraman
SP alleges Names of Muslim Voters Deleted in Mughalsarai
Samajwadi party will move election commission over alleged deletion of names of muslim voters in Mughalsarai, Chandauli. The party alleged that the names of Muslim voters have been deleted at booth number 334, 335, 336.
Want CRPF in WB Until MCC Observation Period is Over: Nirmala Sitharaman
Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman accused the TMC of indulging in violent activities throughout polling. She also requested for the Central Armed Forces to be stationed in the state until the MCC observation period ends.
Voter Turnout in Chandigarh Till 1 PM
Voter Turnout in Jharkhand Till 1 PM
Voter Turnout in West Bengal Till 1 PM
Voter Turnout in Uttar Pradesh Till 1 PM
Voter Turnout in Punjab Till 1 PM
Voter Turnout in Madhya Pradesh Till 1 PM
Voter Turnout in Himachal Pradesh Till 1 PM
Voter Turnout in Bihar Till 1 PM
Varanasi Muslims Allege Their Names Not on Voter's List
BJP Delegation to Approach EC Over Poll Violence
A BJP delegation led by West Bengal state leaders will be meeting the Chief Electoral Officer of Bengal over incidents of poll-related violence in the state, News18 reported.
Voter Turnout Till 1 PM
Shatrughan Sinha, Murli Manohar Joshi Cast Their Vote
Congress candidate from Patna Sahib Lok Sabha Constituency, Shatrughan Sinha casts his vote at polling booth no 339 in St. Severin's School, Kadam Kuan in Patna.
In Varanasi, senior BJP leader Murali Manohar Joshi cast his vote at a polling booth.
Tej Pratap's Security Guards Thrash a Cameraperson in Patna
Tej Pratap Yadav's personal security guards in Patna beat a camera person after he allegedly broke the windscreen of Yadav's car. Tej Pratap Yadav was leaving after casting his vote when the incident happened. Yadav has filed an FIR in the incident.
“My bouncers have not done anything. I was leaving after casting my vote when a photographer hit the windscreen of my car. I have filed an FIR in the incident. A conspiracy is being hatched to kill me,” Tej Pratap told reporters.
Law and Order Peaceful in Punjab: Capt Amarinder
Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh said the law and order situation in Punjab has been peaceful on 7th phase. All constituencies in the state have gone to polls today.
“By and large elections have been peaceful in the state, one incident of a murder was reported from Tarn-Taran but initial police report says it was a case of personal enmity; law and order situation is peaceful. We'll beat both BJP and Akali Dal,” he said.
Crude Bomb Explosion in North Kolkata
First instance of crude bomb explosion near Rabindranath Tagore’s ancestral home in Kolkata.
BJP's Nilanjana Roy's Car Vandalised in Dongaria
BJP candidate for Diamond Harbour Lok Sabha constituency, Nilanjan Roy's car vandalised in Dongaria area of the constituency, as per ANI.
Union Minister Manoj Sinha Casts Vote in Ghazipur
Union Minister and BJP leader Manoj Sinha casts his vote at a polling booth in Ghazipur.
Despite Ramzan Fasts Muslim Voters Turn Up
Navjyot Singh Sidhu Casts His Vote Along His Wife
First Voter of Independent India Casts His Vote in Himachal Pradesh
Voter Turnout in Chandigarh at 11 AM
Voter Turnout in Jharkhand at 11 AM
Voter Turnout in Punjab at 11 AM
Voter Turnout in West Bengal at 11 AM
Voter Turnout in Uttar Pradesh at 11 AM
The turnout in Varanasi was 23.10 per cent, while in Gorakhpur, it was 23.62 per cent. The highest turnout was 26 per cent in Maharajganj, while Robertsganj reported the lowest turnout of 20.20 per cent, the Election Commission said.
Voter Turnout in Madhya Pradesh at 11 AM
Voter Turnout in Himachal Pradesh at 11 AM
Voter Turnout in Bihar at 11 AM
Women Queue up to Vote in Pilikothi Polling Booth in Varanasi
Nitish Should Break Alliance With BJP: Rabri Devi
Talking to reporters on Bihar CM Nitish Kumar Rabri Devi said, “He should have broken his alliance with the BJP if he is bothered by BJP candidate Sadhvi Pragya’s comment.”
Nitish Kumar had earlier condemned Pragya’s statement on Mahatma Gandhi’s killer Nathuram Godse being a “patriot”. “ 'It is condemnable. What action the party takes is their internal matter. We should not tolerate such a statement,” he had said.
Total Voter Turnout at 11 AM
TMC Supporters Casting Proxy Votes at Jadavpur: BJP Candidate Anupam Hazra
BJP candidate Anupam Hazra from Jadavpur alleged that TMc supporters were casting proxy votes at polling booth number 150/137.
“TMC goons have beaten up a BJP mandal president and his driver a driver and attacked a car. We also rescued our 3 polling agents.TMC goons were going to rig 52 booths. People are eager to vote for BJP but they are not allowing people to vote,” he said.
Additional Forces Brought in at Basirhat
Additional forces were brought in at polling station number 189 in Basirhat where BJP MP candidate Sayantan Basu has alleged that TMC workers are not allowing people to cast their vote.
Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan Casts Her Vote
Lok Sabha Speaker and BJP leader Sumitra Mahajan casts her vote at a polling booth in Indore.
No Road, No Vote: Villagers Protest in Varanasi's Madhopur
“We have been asking for roads since the last five years and nobody has paid any heed, so we won’t be casting our votes today,” a villager told The Quint.
Congress Got Goons From Outside: Harsimrat Kaur Badal
Harsimrat Kaur Badal told reporters, “Congress have brought their goons here from outside. Yesterday, their goons in Mansa conducted checking of cars. We complained to poll officials but no action was taken. In Bhatinda Rural, BJP worker Titu Randhawa was also attacked.”
EVM Problems Reported from Jadavpur Constituency
EVM problems reported in Jadavpur which is one of the three Lok Sabha constituencies in Kolkata.
30-year-old Bengali film-star Mimi Chakraborty is TMC’s candidate from Jadavpur.
Watch: The Quint Reports from Varanasi
Voters Allege Intimidation by TMC Supporters in Bashirhat
Voters hold protest outside polling station number 189 in Basirhat, alleging that TMC workers are not allowing them to cast their vote.
BJP MP candidate from Basirhat, Sayantan Basu says, “100 people were stopped from voting. We will take them to cast their vote.”
Nusrat Jahan is the TMC candidate from Basirhat.
In a separate incident, two drums of explosives have allegedly been recovered Newtown area of Barasat
Himachal Pradesh CM Casts His Vote
Himachal Pradesh CM Jairam Thakur casts his vote at polling station number 36 in Mandi district.
Reports of Bomb Hurling from WB
Clashes have been reported from Gilaberia constituency. According to News18, it has been alleged that TMC workers hurled bombs at voters to prevent them to casting their voters.
Capt Amarinder Singh Urges People to Vote
CPI(M) Candidate from Raiganj Casts His Vote
Mohammed Salim, CPI (Marxist) candidate from Raiganj Parliamentary constituency, casts his vote at a polling booth in St. Thomas' Girls School, Kolkata.
TMC Writes to EC on Modi's MCC Violations With Kedarnath Trip
TMC writes to the EC on PM Modi breaking model code of conduct with his Kedarnath visit.
“Every minute detail of his activities during the visit is being widely publicised with an ulterior motive to influence voters directly and/or indirectly,” TMC wrote in the complaint.
No Difference Between TMC and Terrorist Organisation: BJP Candidate CK Bose
BJP candidate from Kolkata’s Dakshin constituency CK Bose alleged that TMC supporters threatened BJP booth agents.
“Last night, I was getting calls from my workers from different booths saying that they have been threatened by TMC's 'jihadi' brigade, that 'If you sit as booth agents for BJP, you'll be murdered'. There's no difference between a terrorist organisation and the TMC,” he told ANI.
EVM Malfunction, TMC Violence Alleged in Jaynagar Constituency
EVM malfunctioning was reported in Kultali in Jaynagar LS constituency. In the same constituency, BJP workers have alleged violence by TMC workers.
Congress Candidate from Chandigarh Panwan Kumar Bansal Casts His Vot
Congress MP candidate from Chandigarh, Pawan Kumar Bansal, casts his vote at booth No 228, Government Model High School, Sector 28 C.
South Kolkata TMC Candidate Alleges Central Forces Not Allowing Her Inside Booth
TMC candidate from South Kolkata seat, Mala Roy, alleged that central forces didn’t allow her inside the booth she is supposed to cast her vote in. She reportedly wasn't carrying her voter slip.
Largely Peaceful Polling in West Bengal Till Now
Voter Turnout in Chandigarh Till 9 am
Voter Turnout in Jharkhand Till 9 am
Voter Turnout in West Bengal Till 9 am
Till 9 am, Jadavpur recorded the highest turnout with 17.11 percent followed by Dum Dum 16.57 percent, he said.
Mathurapur (SC) witnessed 15.68 percent, Basirhat 15.67 percent, Barasat 14.78 percent, Diamond Harbour 13.32 percent followed by Kolkata Dakshin 11.92 percent, Jaynagar, 11.43 percent and Kolkata Uttar 11.08 percent, an EC official said.
Voter Turnout in Uttar Pradesh Till 9 am
Voter Turnout in Punjab Till 9 am
Voter Turnout in Madhya Pradesh Till 9 am
Voter Turnout in Himachal Pradesh Till 9 am
Bihar Voter Turnout Till 9 AM
Watch: CM Adityanath Speaks to The Media After Casting His Vote
Voting Delayed in Three Booth in Dumdum Over EVM Malfunctioning
Voting has been delayed in three booths in Nagerbazar in Dumdum LS constituency in West Bengal over EVM malfunctioning, ABP Ananda reported.
Congress Candidate Ajay Rai After Casting His Vote in Varanasi
Congress Candidate Ajay Rai will be facing Narendra Modi in Varanasi.
After casting his vote, he told reporters, “I have full faith that the people of Kashi will vote for the son of Kashi.”
People Queue Up to Vote in Varanasi's Mehmurganj Polling Station
Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad Arrives to Cast His Vote
Union Minister and BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad arrives to cast his vote at booth no. 77 in Patna Women's College.
Prasad will be facing Congress candidate Shatrughan Sinha at Patna Sahib constituency.
Modi Urges People to Vote in "Record Numbers"
Voting Stalled in South Kolkata Due to EVM Malfunctioning
Voting stalled for almost an hour in South Kolkata constituency's South City college due to EVM malfunction.
Trouble in West Bengal
The Left Front stages a small sit-in in in West Bengal’s Belgachia constituency. They alleged that their agents were beaten up.
Meanwhile, reports of bombings emerged from Raidighi (Mathurapur constituency).
Cricketer Harbhajan Singh Waits in Queue to Cast His Vote
Cricketer Harbhajan Singh waits in queue to cast his vote at a polling booth in Jalandhar's Garhi village.
Misconduct of Elections in EC's Problem: Abhishek Banerjee After Casting Vote
Abhishek Banerjee, who isWest Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s nephew, cast his vote from booth 210 in the Mitra Institution in West Bengal.
When asked about the incidents of violence in West Bengal polling he told reporters, “The responsibility to maintain law and order in on the EC, not the state government you have to remember. So if anything anything goes wrong the Election Commission will have to be held responsible.”
Earlier on 18 May, Saturday, Banerjee sent a defamation notice to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for making "wildly fabricated allegations" against him.
Mamata Banerjee is expected to cast her vote in the evening.
Dynastic Politics, Corruption Will Be Destroyed: Gorakhpur Candidate Ravi Kishan
Bihar CM Nitish Kumar, Deputy CM Sushil Modi Cast Thier Votes
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar casts his vote at polling booth number 326 at a school in Raj Bhawan, Patna.
After casting his vote, he told reporters,
Bihar Deputy CM Sushil Modi also cast his vote at booth number 49 in Patna.
BJP Supporters Forcefully Applied Ink: Dalits Allege in Chandauli
Residents of Tara Jivanpur village in Chandauli constituency of Uttar Pradesh alleged that BJP supporters applied the indelible ink on their fingers and paid them Rs 500, a day before the final phase. “They were from BJP and asked us if we'll vote for the party. They told us now you can't vote. Don't tell anyone,” the villagers told ANI.
Speaking to reporters over the incident, Chandauli SDM Kr Harsh said the complainants had gone to the police station and action would be taken only after the complaints are filed. “They are still eligible to cast votes as the elections hadn't begun then, they will have to mention in the FIR that ink was forcefully applied to them,” he said.
Samajwadi Party held a sit-in after the incident. Investigation is underway.
Yogi Adityanath Casts His Vote
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath exercises his franchise at polling booth no 246 in Gorakhpur.
UP CM Adityanath Offers Prayers Before Polls
Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh was represented by Yogi Adityanath in the Lok Sabha from 1998 to 2017, before he became the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh.
Bhojpuri actor Ravi Kishan, is fighting as the BJP candidate from the constituency in the current Lok Sabha Elections.
Punjab Lok Sabha Elections: Who Are the Key Players?
Polling will be held in all 13 seats in Punjab.
Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) chief Sukhbir Singh Badal and Union Ministers Harsimrat Kaur Badal and Hardeep Singh Puri are in the fray.
Actor-turned-politician Sunny Deol is up against Congress’ Sunil Jakhar in Gurdaspur Lok Sabha constituency.
In Sangrur, Aam Aadmi Party’s Punjab unit chief and siting MP Bhagwant Mann is facing Kewal Singh Dhillon of the Congress and SAD-BJP’s nominee Parminder Singh Dhindsa.
4 Union Ministers in Fray in Last Phase of LS Polls in Bihar
The most keenly watched contest is in Patna Sahib, where Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad will be facing Congress’ Shatrughan Sinha.
Sinha had won the seat in 2014 on a BJP ticket but is contesting elections on a Congress ticket this time.
The neighbouring Pataliputra has become a prestige issue for the family of RJD supremo Lalu Prasad. The contest here is between Ram Kripal Yadav – the sitting BJP MP and a Union minister – and Misa Bharti who had lost to the former five years ago and has entered the fray again despite being a member of the Rajya Sabha.
Paswan, who had formerly been the MP from the seat in 1989 and 1991 on Janata Dal ticket, has once again been fielded by his party.
Another notable candidate in Jehanabad is Angesh Kumar - a rebel candidate initially backed by Lalu Prasad's disgruntled elder son Tej Pratap Yadav, who later pulled back in the larger interest of his father's party.
9 Seats in West Bengal to Go to Polls in Phase 7
Eight seats, barring Jadavpur, will witness a four- cornered contest between the Trinamool Congress, the BJP, the Congress and the Left Front. The Congress has given the Jadavpur seat a miss.
Sitting MP Abhishek Banerjee, who is the nephew of TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee and considered the number two in the party, is seeking re-election from the Diamond Harbour seat, where he is pitted against BJP’s Nilanjan Roy.
The CPI(M) has nominated Fuad Halim and the Congress Soumya Aich Roy for the seat.
In the Jadavpur seat, TMC's celebrity candidate Mimi Chakraborty will contest against Anupam Hazra of the BJP. The CPI(M) has fielded senior leader Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharya.
In Dum Dum seat, the BJP has fielded Samik Bhattacharya against sitting TMC MP Saugata Ray. Left Front major CPI(M) has nominated Nepaldeb Bhattacharya, while the Congress announced the name of Saurav Saha.
In the Jaynagar (SC) seat, TMC's Pratima Mondal will contest against Ashok Kandary of the BJP. The Congress has fielded Tapan Mondal and Left Front constituent RSP, Subhas Naskar.
Kolkata South will witness Mala Roy of the TMC battling it out against against BJP's Chandra Kumar Bose. The CPI(M) has nominated Nandini Mukherjee and the Congress Mita Chakraborty.
Madhya Pradesh 2019 Lok Sabha: 8 Seats in MP to Vote in Phase 7
Eight constituencies in Madhya Pradesh will decide the fate of a number of key candidates including former Union Ministers Kantilal Bhuria and Arun Yadav, sitting MLA Guman Singh Damor, among others.
Also in the running are former state BJP President Nandkumar Singh Chauhan and senior Congress leader Meenakshi Natrajan.
Bhuria, the sitting Congress MP from Ratlam-Jhabua seat is up against Damor, the sitting BJP MLA from Jhabua. This is Damor's maiden parliamentary poll.
Mandsaur will see Natrajan, a former lieutenant of Congress president, try her luck again after being defeated in 2014. She will take on BJP’s sitting MP Sudhir Gupta, who had defeated her in the last election by over three lakh votes.
In the state's financial capital, Indore, the BJP has fielded former corporator and senior local leader Shankar Lalwani, dropping its eight-time MP and Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan. Lalwani will take on Congress candidate Pankaj Sanghvi.
Uttar Pradesh Lok Sabha Elections: Who Are the Key Contenders?
In Uttar Pradesh, all eyes will be on Varanasi, where besides Prime Minister Narendra Modi, 25 other candidates are in fray.
Modi’s main challengers are Congress’ Ajay Rai and SP-BSP grand alliance’s nominee Shalini Yadav. Voting will be held in 13 Lok Sabha constituencies in Uttar Pradesh.
Union Minister Manoj Sinha, Uttar Pradesh BJP Chief Mahendra Nath Pandey are seeking re-election from Ghazipur and Chandauli, respectively.
The BJP is contesting 11 Lok Sabha seats in this phase, while its ally Apna Dal (Sonelal) is contesting Mirzapur, currently held by Union minister Anupriya Patel, and Robertsganj.
The saffron party has pitted Bhojpuri actor Ravi Kishan from Gorakhpur against Congress’ Madhusudan Tripathi and Rambhual Nishad of the Smajwadi Party.
Gorakhpur was represented by Yogi Adityanath in the Lok Sabha from 1998 to 2017, before he became the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh.
The electioneering saw Priyanka holding two back-to-back roadshows in Kushinagar and Mirzapur during the day and Union minister Smriti Irani riding a scooty in Gorkahpur.
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