Lok Sabha Election 2024: 60.9% Voter Turnout Recorded in Second Phase of Polls

Voter Turnout in Second Phase

A voter turnout of 60.9 percent was recorded till 7 PM during phase 2 of the Lok Sabha elections on Friday, 26 April, according to the Election Commission of India.

As many as 88 constituencies across 13 states and union territories went to the polls on Friday with 1,201 candidates in the fray.

Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi (Wayanad), Shashi Tharoor (Thiruvananthapuram), DK Suresh (Bengaluru Rural), Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar of the BJP (Thiruvananthapuram), actor-turned-politicians Hema Malini (Mathura) and Arun Govil (Meerut), BJP's Tejasvi Surya (Bengaluru South), and former Karnataka chief minister HD Kumaraswamy (Mandya) were some of the prominent candidates in the fray.

• A total of 1,201 candidates were in the fray in the second phase.

• As many as 15.88 crore voters were eligible to vote in this phase. The voters included 8.08 crore men, 7.8 crore women.

• Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Congress leaders Ashok Gehlot, Shashi Tharoor, BJP MP Om Birla and Rajeev Chandrasekhar cast their votes early Friday.

• Kerala, Karnataka, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, West Bengal, Chattisgarh, Jammu and Kashmir, Manipur, and Tripura are among the states and UTs which voted today.

• Around 102 constituencies in 21 states voted during the first phase of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

State-Wise Voter Turnout Till 5 PM

• Maharashtra: 53.5%

• Manipur: 76.06%

• Rajasthan: 59.19%

• Tripura: 76.23%

• Uttar Pradesh: 52.64%

• West Bengal: 71.04%

• Jammu and Kashmir: 67.22%

• Karnataka: 63.9%

• Kerala: 63.97%

• Madhya Pradesh: 54.83%

• Assam: 70.66%

• Bihar: 53.03%

• Chhattisgarh: 72.13%

Karnataka & Kerala CMs Cast Vote During Phase 2

Voting Halted in Karnataka's Indiganatta Village: Report

Voting has temporarily been halted in the Indiganatta village of Karnataka's Chamrajnagar constituency after a clash allegedly broke out between two groups at a polling station, NDTV reported.

Case Filed Against BJP's Tejasvi Surya

A case has been lodged against BJP's Bengaluru South candidate Tejasvi Surya for posting a video on X and allegedly "soliciting votes on the ground of religion", the Chief Electoral Officer of Karnataka said.

Will BJP Be Able to Retain Darjeeling Lok Sabha Seat?

The BJP has been winning the Darjeeling Lok Sabha seat since 2009. But this time, absent from the party's manifesto was the issue of the separate state of Gorkhaland, which is a key plank of the saffron party and that has contributed heavily to its popularity in this seat.

Will the people of Darjeeling still vote for the BJP this time? Or, will there be a split in Gorkha votes? The Quint decodes.

'Will Win All 14 Seats': JD(S) chief HD Deve Gowda

After casting his vote in Karnataka's Hassan constituency, former PM and JD(S) chief HD Deve Gowda told mediapersons: “We are going to win on all the 14 seats in Karnataka."

BJP candidate Navneet Rana, Husband Cast Vote in Maharashtra

BJP MP candidate Navneet Rana, along with her husband and MLA Ravi Rana, cast their votes at a polling booth in Maharashtra's Amravati. Navneet Rana is up against Congress' Balwant Wankhede.

Actor Neha Sharma Casts Vote in Bihar's Bhagalpur

At 11 am, Tripura Registers 36.42% Voter Turnout

As of 11 am, Tripura registered a voter turnout of 36.42 percent, Election Commission data showed.

In Photos: People Casting Their Votes

Bengaluru South: Congress' Sowmya Reddy Casts Vote

Sowmya Reddy, Congress' Bengaluru South candidate, casts her vote at a polling booth in the city, along with her father and Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy.

Sowmya, who lost the 2023 Assembly polls from Jayanagar by 16 votes, faces an uphill task to defeat Surya, who's one of the BJP's staunch Hindutva faces. A powerful and influential politician, Ramalinga has a strong grip over BTM Layout and Jayanagar constituencies, which falls under the Bengaluru South constituency.

2024 Lok Sabha Elections: At 11 am, Maharashtra Records 18.83% Turnout

As of 11 am, Maharashtra recorded a voter turnout of 18.83%, Election Commission data showed. Eight out of Maharashtra 48 seats are voting in phase 2. These cover parts of the Vidarbha and Marathwada regions.

Akola is witnessing a triangular contest between Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi chief and Babasaheb Ambedkar's grandson Prakash Ambedkar, BJP's Anup Dhotre who is the son of sitting MP Sanjay Dhotre and Congress candidate Abhay Kashinath Patil.

Another important seat voting in this phase is Amravati where BJP's Navneet Rana is up against Congress' Balwant Wankhede.

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah Casts His Vote

Karnataka Chief Minister and Congress leader Siddaramaiah casts his vote at a polling booth at his native Siddaramanahundi of Mysuru taluk—a part of Mysuru district that falls within the Mysore-Kodagu Lok Sabha constituency.

(Picture Courtesy: Special Arrangement)

JD(S) Leader HD Kumaraswamy Casts Vote in Ramanagara

Former Karnataka CM and JD(S) leader HD Kumaraswamy casts his vote in Ramanagara, which falls under Bengaluru North constituency.

As Shobha Karandlaje Casts Her Vote in Bengaluru, What Are Her Chances of Winning?

Shobha Karandlaje, two-time MP from Udupi-Chikmagalur and one of BJP's staunch Hindutva faces, cast her vote at a polling booth in Bengaluru on Friday, 26 April.

As she takes on former Rajya Sabha MP MV Rajeev Gowda of the Congress in Bengaluru North – a BJP's bastion – on 26 April, The Quint looks at the rise of Karandlaje, her politics, and what voters in her constituency think about candidature. Read the full story here

2024 Lok Sabha Elections: Tripura Records 16.65% Voter Turnout

As of 9 am, Tripura recorded a voter turnout of 16.65 percent, Election Commission data showed.

Tripura East seat is voting in phase 2. It is a seat reserved for tribal candidates. Here BJP's Kirti Singh Debbbarma from the royal family is up against CPI-M's Rajendra Reang.

The BJP is confident of winning this seat especially after its agreement with TIPRA Motha that has a sizable following among Tripura indigenous voters.

'2024 Elections About India's Future': Congress' Shashi Tharoor

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, who is seeking a re-election from Kerala's Thiruvananthapuram, casts his vote at a pooling booth on Friday, 26 April.

Addressing mediapersons, Tharoor said that the 2024 Lok Sabha elections was about "India's future."

"We are here because we want to change the government in Delhi. I have made no bones about that. As a Congress candidate, every junction, every stop I have repeatedly made the point. As far as I am concerned, this is an election far greater than my own future. It is about India's future."

In Photos: Voters Queue Up To Cast Their Votes in Meerut

In Uttar Pradesh's Meerut, which is voting in phase 2 of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Ramayan actor Arun Govil is said to be facing a surprisingly tougher fight than expected mainly due to discontent among sections of the BJP.

As of 9 am, a voter turnout of 12.28% has been recorded in Meerut. Here are pictures of voters queueing up outside polling booths to cast their votes:

'If You Don't Vote, You Are Incentivising Electoral Corruption': BJP MP Tejasvi Surya

After casting his vote at a polling booth in Bengaluru South, BJP MP Tejasvi Surya said that "voting is not just a privilege, voting is our responsibility."

"Bengaluru remember that today is not a long holiday but its the day that we are collectively deciding the future of the country. Our collective destiny for the next five years. So, please go out and vote because every vote matters. If you don't vote, you are incentivising indirectly electoral corruption, you are incentivising indirectly dynasty politics and bad governance,"

This time, incumbent BJP MP Tejasvi Surya, one of the party's staunch Hindutva faces, is taking on Sowmya Reddy, daughter of Karnataka's Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy, who lost the 2023 Assembly polls from Jayanagar by 16 votes.

13 Seats in Rajasthan Vote on 26 April: What's at Stake?

The stakes are high in Rajasthan in this phase as 13 out of 25 seats in the state are voting on 26 April. These seats are mostly in the South Western half of the state. The remaining 12 seats have already voted in the first phase on 19 April.

It is in the run-up to the second phase that PM Modi made an alleged hate speech targetting Muslims in Rajasthan's Banswara.

The BJP had won all 25 seats in Rajasthan last time and it is facing a tough time in its efforts to repeat that sweep.

• In the fray in this phase are Lok Sabha speaker Om Birla from Kota who is facing a strong fight from former BJP MLA Prahlad Gunjal who is seen as a loyalist of former BJP CM Vasundhara Raje.

• Raje's son Dushyant Singh is fighting on a BJP ticket from the family's traditional seat Jhalawar-Baran.

• Another former CM's son - Ashok Gehlot's son Vaibhav Gehlot - is contesting from the Jalore seat in this phase.

• Rajasthan BJP president CP Joshi is contesting from Chittorgarh. Senior Congress leader and former Rajasthan Speaker CP Joshi is contesting from Bhilwara. Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat is contesting from Jodhpur.

• The seat that is being watched most closely in Rajasthan is Barmer, mainly because of Independent candidate Ravindra Bhati. A former ABVP leader, Bhati burst into Rajasthan's political scene by winning as an Independent from Sheo in the 2023 Assembly elections.

Read more on the battle for Rajasthan's 13 seats voting in phase 2 in this article.

In Photos: Voters Queue Outside Polling Booths in Ghaziabad, Meerut

Voters across eight constituencies in Uttar Pradesh including Ghaziabad and Meerut are casting their votes on Friday, 26 April, in phase-2 of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

Congress & Left Fight It Out, BJP Eyes the Elusive Win: Key Contests in Kerala

Voting on the 20 parliamentary constituencies in Kerala are now underway in the second phase of the Lok Sabha elections.

Here are the key seats and contests to watch out for:

• Thrissur is one of the few constituencies in Kerala witnessing three-way fight between the UDF, the LDF, and the BJP.

• Wayanad: which covers three Assembly segments in Wayanad district, three in Malappuram, and one in Kozhikode – shot to political prominence in 2019 when Congress leader Rahul Gandhi contested from here as his backup seat.

• Thiruvananthapuram: Three-time MP Shashi Tharoor is taking on BJP leader and Union Minister of State Rajeev Chandrasekhar in Kerala's capital. A three-way fight is expected here as well, with the LDF fielding former CPI MP Pannyan Raveendran, who has positioned himself as an underdog who knows the local pulse.

• Alappuzha: AICC general secretary and the Gandhis' right-hand man KC Venugopal has returned to contest from the Alappuzha seat, where he was MP from 2009 to 2019.

• Pathanamthitta: This constituency is witnessing an interesting contest as the BJP has fielded Anil Antony. The CPI(M)'s Thomas Isaac, who was previously the state finance minister, is also in the fray, but he may be facing a perception battle owing to an anti-incumbency against the state government.

• Vadakara: The LDF is pinning its hopes on the Vadakara constituency where it has fielded popular leader KK Shailaja, who, during her stint as Kerala's health minister, had dealt with various health emergencies, including the Nipah outbreak and the COVID-19 pandemic.

As Bengaluru Votes on 26 April, Can Congress Breach the BJP Stronghold?

Karnataka is of paramount importance to the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP's) electoral strategy within South India, with the party having secured 25 of the 28 seats in the previous Lok Sabha elections. Within Karnataka, for nearly two decades, the BJP has dominated three of the four Lok Sabha seats across Bengaluru.

As the people of Bengaluru cast their votes for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections on Friday, 26 April – nearly a year after the Congress' win in the Karnataka Assembly elections – which way will voters sway? The Quint takes a closer look at the four constituencies.

'Entire Country Stands With PM Modi': BJP MP Shobha Karandlaje

Union Minister and BJP leader Shobha Karandlaje, who is contesting from Bengaluru North, casts his vote at a polling booth in Bengaluru.

"The entire country is with PM Modi. I urge all the voters to come out and cast their vote," Karandlaje told news agency PTI

'Not a Fight to Save Constitution,' Says BJP MP Om Birla

Om Birla, BJP's MP candidate from Rajasthan's Kota, said Friday, 26 April that the 2024 elections was "not a fight to save the Constitution... the constitution is in good hands," news agency ANI reported

'Voted For Change...Voted Against Hate': Actor Prakash Raj

“I voted for change, I voted against hate. I voted for the leader who will be my voice in Parliament,' says actor Prakash Raj after casting his vote in Bengaluru South.

In 2019, Prakash Raj contested as an independent and lost to BJP's Tejasvi Surya.

I have Voted .. please go and Vote #justasking #SaveDemocracySaveIndia pic.twitter.com/shg7jDSVpU

— Prakash Raj (@prakashraaj) April 26, 2024

In Photos: Voters Queuing Outside a Polling Booth in MP 

In Photos: People Wait Outside Polling Booths in Jodhpur

In a post on X, Rajasthan's Chief Electoral Officer shares glimpses of early voters and says, "complete seating arrangement was also available at the booth. Happy Hours Voting is going on!"

BJP Candidate Anil Antony Casts Vote in Thiruvananthapuram 

Anil Antony, BJP's MP candidate from Pathanamthitta, casts his vote at a polling booth in Kerala's Thiruvananthapuram on Friday, 26 April.

This time, Pathanamthitta is witnessing an interesting contest as the BJP has fielded Anil Antony, the son of veteran Congress leader and former Chief Minister AK Antony. Anil moved to the BJP last year, much to the displeasure of Congress leaders, including his father.

Pathanamthitta, which has a significant population of Christians, is a Congress bastion where leaders like AK Antony and Oommen Chandy have wielded a lot of influence, making it doubly difficult for the BJP to make inroads here.

Elections 2024: 'No Help From Jal Jeevan Mission Yet, Women Still Fetch Water'

As elections take the centre stage, we are here to take stock of one of the most advertised and popular flagship schemes of the BJP-led government: Jal Jeevan Mission.

Around 400 kms from the capital of Uttar Pradesh is Mathura, a holy city and a BJP-stronghold, it is also one of the driest cities in the state, receives very low rainfall and has 'khaara'(salty) water.

As Mathura votes today, Aliza Noor travelled to the district to see whether JJM has made any impact as the government claims.

'Country Wants Development... PM Modi Will Win a Third Term': BJP leader Vasundhara Raje

After casting her vote in Rajasthan's Jhalawar constituency, BJP leader Vasundhara Raje told mediapersons:

"The country wants development, this is why BJP will form the government again and PM Narendra Modi will win a third term. Jhalawar MP Dushyant Singh has been receiving good support... I believe he will create history this time as well... We can never take anything for granted. Everything is in the hands of god and the voters..."

Vasundhara Raje

Be It India or the US, Why Has Election Campaigning Hit a Frightening Low?

The ‘world’s largest democracy’ i.e., India, and the ‘world’s most powerful democracy’ i.e., the United States, are in the throes of election season. It is testing times for the 'Idea of Democracy’ globally as both democracies have seen a backslide in their proudly liberal traditions and spirit. 

Over the last decade, all international indices on the status of Indian democracy have red-flagged the steady regression by labelling it from a 'Flawed Democracy’ (as per The Economist Intelligence Unit) to an ‘Electoral Autocracy’ (as per V-Dem Institute). The latter noted gravely that India was “one of the worst autocratisers lately.” Read the full piece here.

Lok Sabha Elections 2024: FM Nirmala Sitharaman Casts Her Vote in Bengaluru 

Union Minister Nirmala Sitharaman arrived at the BES polling booth in Bengaluru on Friday, 26 April to cast her vote in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections in Karnataka.

Bengaluru South is witnessing a high-stakes prestigious battle between two youngsters: BJP's Tejasvi Surya (33) and Congress' Sowmya Reddy (41).

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 | 'INDIA Alliance Will Win With Majority,' Says Ashok Gehlot

Former Rajasthan CM and Congress leader Ashok Gehlot told news agency PTI on Friday, 26 April, "I feel people have made up their mind and INDIA alliance and Congress will win with majority."

Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Which Constituencies Go To Polls In Karnataka?

Over 2.8 crore eligible voters across 14 constituencies in Karnataka will cast their votes in the second phase of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections on Friday, April 26.

The 14 seats which will vote on Friday include Udupi-Chikkamagaluru, Hassan, Dakshina Kannada, Chitradurga, Tumakuru, Mandya, Mysuru, Chamarajanagar, Bengaluru Rural, Bengaluru North, Bengaluru Central, Bengaluru South, Chickballapur, and Kolar.

Thrissur: BJP MP candidate Suresh Gopi Casts Vote

Actor-turned-politician Suresh Gopi, BJP's MP candidate from Kerala's Thrissur, casts his vote at a polling station in the district.

A three-way poll battle is underway in the Thrissur Parliamentary constituency – the land of poorams (festivals) – where the BJP has fielded popular Malayalam actor and former Rajya Sabha MP Suresh Gopi.

Gopi had contested from Thrissur in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections as well as the 2021 Assembly elections. He came third both times, but the BJP gained in vote share.

Can he win this time? Will his Christian outreach payoff? Read Meenakshy Sasikumar's ground report here.

'Voters Need To Come out and Vote': CEC Rajiv Kumar

As polling in across 89 seats in 13 states began on Friday, 26 April, Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar urged voters to come out and vote in large numbers.

"We have been preparing for the last 2 years. The arrangements are in place at all the booths. All arrangements have been made for the voters including drinking water, fans. The voters need to come out and vote"

CEC Rajiv Kumar to news agency ANI

Infosys Founder Narayana Murthy, Wife Sudha Murthy Cast Their Votes in Bengaluru 

Infosys founder Narayana Murthy, along with his wife and Rajya Sabha MP Sudha Murthy arrived at a polling booth in Bengaluru South to cast their vote for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections in Karnataka, news agency ANI reported.

Speaking to news agency ANI, Sudha Murthy said, "I want to tell everyone- don't sit at home, come out and vote, choose your leader. I always feel that urban people vote less as compared to those in rural areas. I request youngsters to come out and vote."

'An Important Day For Future of Thiruvananthapuram,' Says Rajeev Chandrasekhar 

As voting for all the 20 seats in Kerala began on Friday, 26 April, Union Minister and BJP candidate from Thiruvananthapuram Rajeev Chandrasekhar said that it was an "important day, not just for democracy, but for the future of Thiruvananthapuram..."

Speaking to news agency ANI, Chandrasekhar said,

"...Since the last 15-20 years, there has been very little progress in Thiruvananthapuram and in the lives of many people who are suffering from many problems that have not been solved...I request all of you to come out and vote today. This is an important day, not just for democracy, but for the future of Thiruvananthapuram and the future of your own families and children. It is something that we all must take seriously. Voting is a fundamental duty of every citizen and I hope everybody comes out and votes for change."

'High Voter Turnout Strengthens Our Democracy': PM Modi Urges People To Vote in Large Numbers

As voting in phase-2 of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections began at 7 am on Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged voters to cast their votes in "record numbers."

In a tweet on 'X' (Formerly Twitter), PM Modi said, "A high voter turnout strengthens our democracy. I especially urge our young voters and women voters to turn out in great numbers. Your vote is your voice!"

Urging everyone in constituencies voting today, in the second phase of the Lok Sabha elections, to participate in record numbers. A high voter turnout strengthens our democracy. I especially urge our young voters and women voters to turn out in great numbers. Your vote is your…

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 26, 2024

Key Candidates to Watch Out For

As voting for phase-2 of the 2024 Lok Sabha election begins, here are the key candidates to watch out for:

• Rahul Gandhi (Wayanad)

• Union minister Rajeev Chandrashekhar (Thiruvananthapuram)

• Congress MP Shashi Tharoor (Thiruvananthapuram)

• BJP MP Tejasvi Surya (Bengaluru South),

• Two-time BJP MP Shobha Karandlaje (Bengaluru North)

• Hema Malini (Mathura)

• Arun Govil (Meerut)

• DK Suresh (Bangalore Rural)

• JD(S) leader HD Kumaraswamy (Mandya)

• Bhupesh Baghel (Rajnandgaon)

• Om Birla (Kota Bundi)

Can the Congress Quash BJP’s Stronghold in Phase 2?

As a scorching summer rages on, the desert state of Rajasthan is all set for a sizzling climax to the electoral showdown between the traditional rivals –the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress. With the remaining 13 seats voting on 26 April, the second phase of the Lok Sabha polls implies a grand finale to the largely bipolar battle in Rajasthan.

In this high-stakes clash, the BJP is keen for a 25-0 hat-trick but the Grand Old Party is determined to prevent a clean sweep and has even forged alliances to combat the saffron surge. Read the full piece here

'Kabhi to Milegi, Kahin to Milegi': Mathura Locals Ask 'Where is Hema Malini?'

Two-time sitting MP and former member of Rajya Sabha, Hema Malini, has represented the Mathura constituency from the BJP since 2014 and is seeking a hat-trick in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in 2024.

But when The Quint visited Mathura during the campaign, we found visibly disgruntled locals who only asked one question: "Where is Hema Malini?" Aliza Noor reports from the ground.

In Rahul Gandhi's Wayanad, Human-Wildlife Conflict A Burning Issue

Wayanad, known for its lush green hills and picturesque resorts, shot to political prominence in 2019 after Congress leader Rahul Gandhi chose this constituency as his backup seat in the Lok Sabha elections. He won by a whopping margin of 4.5 lakh votes.

But as Gandhi returns to contest from Wayanad to face the Left Democratic Front's (LDF's) Annie Raja and the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP's) K Surendran in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, a singular issue has emerged as a flashpoint in the polls: human-wildlife conflict. Read our correspondent Meenakshy Sasikumar's ground report

As Bengaluru Votes on 26 April, Can Congress Breach the BJP Stronghold?

Karnataka is of paramount importance to the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP's) electoral strategy within South India, with the party having secured 25 of the 28 seats in the previous Lok Sabha elections.

Within Karnataka, for nearly two decades, the BJP has dominated three of the four Lok Sabha seats across Bengaluru.

As the people of Bengaluru cast their votes for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections on Friday, 26 April – nearly a year after the Congress' win in the Karnataka Assembly elections – which way will voters sway? Read our analysis here.

Lok Sabha Elections: 89 Seats Across 13 States To Vote Today

The juggernaut of India's 2024 Lok Sabha elections rolls into the second of seven phases on Friday, 26 April. The voting in as many as 89 constituencies spread across 13 states and Union Territories (UTs) will commence at 7 am on Friday and continue till 5 pm. 1,210 candidates are in the fray.

• 20 seats in Kerala

• 13 seats in Rajasthan

• 14 seats in Karnataka

• 8 seats in Uttar Pradesh

• 8 in Maharashtra

• 7 in Madhya Pradesh

• 5 in Assam

• 5 in Bihar

• 3 in West Bengal

• 3 in Chattisgarh

• 1 in Tripura

• 1 in Jammu and Kashmir

• 1 in Manipur