The second phase of the Lok Sabha elections 2024 saw a voter turnout of almost 60% in 88 constituencies spread across 13 states and Union territories as of 7 p.m. on Friday.
The Election Commission released a statement saying, “Polling in the second phase of General Elections 2024, which commenced at 7 AM today simultaneously across 88 PCs recorded an approximate voter turnout of 60.96% as of 7 PM.”
Tripura’s single seat being contested in this round saw the highest voter turnout at 77.93%, followed by three constituencies in Chhattisgarh at 72.13% and three seats in West Bengal at 71.84%.
Seventy-six point zero six percent of voters turned out at thirteen polling stations in Manipur, with a healthy participation rate of seventy-point-six-six percent in Assam until 5 pm.
In Maharashtra, the voter turnout for the second phase of Lok Sabha elections was recorded at 53.51%.
Although the polling percentage in Bihar increased from the first phase, it was only slightly higher than Uttar Pradesh at 53.03%. Officials reported that Kishanganj had a voter turnout of 56.12%, Katihar registered 55.54%, Purnea had a turnout of 55.14%, Bhagalpur registered 47.26%, and Banka recorded 49.50% until 5 pm.
Key seats of 2024 Lok Sabha Election 2nd Phase
Union minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar (Thiruvananthapuram) and Congress member Shashi Tharoor (Thiruvananthapuram) are notable candidates in the election, as well as BJP’s Tejasvi Surya (Bengaluru South Lok Sabha), Hema Malini (Mathura), Arun Govil (Meerut), Rahul Gandhi (Wayanad), DK Suresh (Bangalore Rural), HD Kumaraswamy (Mandya), Pappu Yadav (Purnia), and Annie Raja (Wayanad).
How Wayanad Reacted?
A fierce competition took place in the Lok Sabha constituency in Kerala between allies of the INDIA bloc. Even though they were both part of the INDIA bloc, the Congress and the Communist Party of India (CPI) ran in the elections separately.
While the Congress party selected current MP Rahul Gandhi as their candidate, the CPI chose Annie Raja and the BJP nominated K Surendran as their candidate from the NDA.
The Lok Sabha election polling in the district took place peacefully on Thursday. Preliminary reports indicate that 72.69% of voters participated in the election in the Wayanad constituency. During the 2019 election, the percentage stood at 79.77.
Out of the total number of 14,62,423 voters, including 5,49,482 women, a total of 10,64,099 voters participated in the voting process, with 7,41,354 women casting their votes.
Brajwasi vs Pravasi: Glance at Mathura seat in 2nd phase
The 12% decrease in voter participation in Mathura compared to 2019 has everyone speculating about the potential consequences, despite the peaceful voting across all 8 West Uttar Pradesh seats.
While the voter turnout was approximately 54.85% in the 8 parliamentary constituencies of West Uttar Pradesh, the significant decrease of 12% in Mathura’s polling rate from 61.03% during the 2019 Lok Sabha elections to 49.29% in the second phase of the 2024 parliamentary elections on Friday caught everyone by surprise.
In Mathura, Opposition leaders, such as Bahujan Samaj Party zonal coordinator Gore Lal, viewed the significant decrease in attendance as a positive development for their party.
Gore Lal stated that many supporters of the BJP decided to back different candidates instead, while others decided not to participate. Nonetheless, experienced reporter Chandra Prakash Sikarwar expressed a different opinion, stating that the “Opposition was too feeble for the BJP candidate to be concerned about. He stated that the people who chose not to vote were not supporters of hers. The weak candidates will result in a larger winning margin for the BJP this time”.
Sikarwar stated that the Congress was unable to find a strong candidate and had to choose a leader at the corporator level, whereas the BSP candidate has ties to the RSS.
How Opposition Target Hema Malini?
The ‘Brajwasi vs Pravasi’ campaign by the Opposition against the current MP has effectively resonated with the people of Mathura. Mukesh Dhangar’s advertisement banners for Congress read, “Looking for a local from Braj this time, not interested in non-locals.”
BSP candidate Suresh Singh is campaigning under the slogan “Government coaching, student hostels, library – did any of these materialize?” The Mumbai MP only misled the students. Kya aapne government coaching, hostel, ya pustakalay se kuch madad li hai – ye yaad rakhiye apne kaam aayega. This member of parliament from Mumbai has just tricked the students. Bear in mind that a nearby member of the community will seek assistance.
