The second phase of voting for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections will be held on Friday across 13 states and one Union Territory. Polling began in 88 seats, all 20 of Kerala's seats, 14 of Karnataka's 28, and 13 of Rajasthan's 25, 8 in Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra, 5 each in Assam and Bihar, six in Madhya Pradesh, 3 each in Chhattisgarh and West Bengal and one each in Tripura, Manipur and Jammu and Kashmir.
The prominent names seeking a mandate on Friday include Rahul Gandhi (Congress) from Wayanad, Hema Malini (BJP) from UP's Mathura, Arun Govil (BJP) from UP's Meerut and Bhupesh Baghel (Congress) from Chattisgarh's Rajnandgaon constituency.
#WATCH | A 94-year-old woman casts her vote in Ukhrul Outer Manipur as polling begins on one parliamentary seat
— ANI (@ANI) April 26, 2024
Voting for 13 Assembly segments under Outer Manipur seat is being held in the second phase today. The state has a total of two seats.#LokSabhaElections2024📷 pic.twitter.com/7gekjv4xPU
Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged people on Friday to cast their votes in record numbers in the second phase of the Lok Sabha polls and said a high voter turnout strengthens democracy.
INDIA bloc leader and Congress party president Mallikarjun Kharge too had a message to voters. In a post put up on X, Kharge asked the people "to not forget that this was not an ordinary election".
"'We, the people of India' - this soul of the Constitution of India, should reverberate in your hearts and minds, before you push the voting button. Do not forget that this is not an ordinary election. It is an election to protect Democracy from the clutches of Dictatorship. To all my dear citizens, from 89 Constituencies in 13 States and UTs, do not get swayed by any diversionary tactics and lies. Always make your vote count," he added.
Ahead of the polls, Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged the people to vote, stating that their vote is their 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 voice!" the prime minister said on X.
After a low turnout in the first phase, the Election Commission has been making all-out efforts to boost the voting percentage. The turnout had fallen to around 65% in the first phase from nearly 70% in 2019 in the first phase. The poll panel has increased appeals for voter participation since, asking them to "vote with responsibility and pride".
Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar said that adequate arrangements have been made for smooth polling in the second phase of Lok Sabha polls and urged voters to participate in the festival of democracy in maximum numbers. "We have made complete preparations for today’s elections. Polling booths have been decorated. There is no possibility of any kind of violence at any booth nor has any such report been received," he told ANI.
