Lok Sabha Election Phase 3: Assam leads with maximum voter turnout

The third phase of Lok Sabha elections, which was held in 93 constituencies on Tuesday (May 7), witnessed a voter turnout of approximately 60.97 per cent, as per the data released by the Election Commission of India. 

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BSP chief Mayawati said, "I declared Akash Anand as the National Coordinator of BSP and my successor, but in the larger interest of the party and the movement, he is being separated from both these important responsibilities until he attains full maturity." 

"A case of violation of Model Code of Conduct has been registered against the Chairman of Maharashtra State Women Commission and NCP leader Rupali Chakankar after she had performed aarti in front of the EVM," said senior police officials of Pune City Police.

Polling officials seal Electronic Voting Machines (EVM) and VVPATs after voting in Lok Sabha elections concludes in Madhya Pradesh. 

Haryana CM & BJP leader Nayab Singh Saini responded to reports of few (independent) MLAs wanting to withdraw support from Haryana govt and extend it to Congress.

He said, "I have received this information. Maybe Congress is engaged in fulfilling some people's wishes now. Congress has nothing to do with the wishes of the public."

Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar said, "Congress is getting desperate. The INDI alliance is getting desperate. They started by lying about many things, then they started deep fake videos, then they started modifying images online and they are today becoming more and more desperate."

"They know that people are rejecting them right, left and centre, that their appeasement politics and even the Muslim community are rejecting it... Mr Kharge today with his letter is effectively signalling to the people of India that nothing is sacred to him. He will cast aspersions on the Constitution. He will cast aspersions on the country. This is like Rahul Gandhi. He will tear down constitutional bodies like the election commission," he added. 

"People like Kharge are trying to mislead the people of India thinking that the people of India will fall for their trap, fall for these false narratives. People of India would rather trust Gopalaswami, the former chief election commissioner than a group of dynast politicians in the INDI alliance who all have only one qualification, that they are dynasts and have a long illustrious track record of corruption against their name," he said. 

Voter turnout till 5 pm - 60.19%

Assam 74.86% 

Bihar 56.01% 

Chhattisgarh 66.87% 

Dadar and Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu 65.23% 

Goa 72.52% 

Gujarat 55.22% 

Karnataka 66.05% 

Madhya Pradesh 62.28% 

Maharashtra 53.40% 

Uttar Pradesh 55.13% 

West Bengal 73.93%

Hyderabad: Telangana Deputy CM Bhatti Vikramarka Mallu said, "I am not only talking about SC and ST reservation but also the caste census for the OBC. This is the stand of the Congress. The BJP is trying to mislead this country by saying various other things and requesting people to give them 400 seats. This is because they want to have an absolute majority in the Parliament cancel reservations and change the Consitution."

"The Congress leadership has been saying very clearly that the wealth and power of the country is vested in a few hands. This has to be distributed among the people of the country as per the spirit of the Indian Constitution. This is why we want to get the caste census done, after which we will share the wealth, resources, and power with the people of the country as per the proportions of the population so that the backward classes get a major share of this," he added. 

ECI directs X to take down BJP Karnataka's 'objectionable' post with "immediate effect"

Rajgarh, Madhya Pradesh | Congress leader Digvijaya Singh said, "We are trying that election to be held impartial. Wherever bogus voting happened, our people opposed it... A machine (EVM) is a machine, I have always been saying that I have objections to EVMs. In that machine, you can't see where the vote is going. In the VVPAT machine, there is software, that software decides what will happen, whatever I do, what software wants only that thing will be printed and that will be counted..."

Jammu & Kashmir: 100-year-old man cast 'home vote' for the first time in Meer Behreen area of Zadibal constituency, Dal Lake, Srinagar.

Five generations of a family voted together at a polling station in Semli, Balrampur of Chhattisgarh.

"Tweets are being made from across border to boost morale of Congress; in return Congress is giving clean chit to Pakistan on terror attacks", PM modi says in the Ahmednagar rally.

"The expiry date of INDI alliance has been fixed for 4th June...This election is between 'Santushti-Karan' and Tushti-karan'." Notably, 4th June is the date when the Election Comission of India will declare the results of the polls.

While addressing a public meeting in Maharashtra's Ahmednagar, PM Narendra Modi reacted to Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar’s recent remark that police officer Hemant Karkare was not killed by terrorist Ajmal Kasab. PM Modi said, "Congress is siding with Ajmal Kasab(terrorist)".

TMC leader Santanu Sen has said the governor of the state is acting against the Chief Minister of the state.

"Governor is following the footsteps of Jagdeep Dhankhar to please BJP. Jagdeep Dhankhar became the Vice President of India by pleasing the BJP. He (Governor) is also trying to please the BJP... He is working against the CM of the state... He is talking about Didigiri, but the Governor himself has become a 'Poddo Pal' (Lotus)...," said Santanu Sen as quoted by news agency ANI.
 

OVERALL VOTER TURNOUT TILL 3 PM- 50.71% 

- Assam- 63.08
- Bihar- 46.69
- Chattisgarh- 58.19 
- Dadra & Nagar haveli and Daman & Diu- 52.43 
- Goa- 61.39
- Gujarat- 47.03
- Karnataka- 54.20
- Madhya Pradesh- 54.09
- Maharashtra- 42.63
- Uttar Pradesh- 46.78
- West Bengal- 63.11

To celebrate the festival of democracy, Ankit Soni, a voter who lost both his hands 20 years ago, exercised his franchise through his feet at a polling booth in Gujarat’s Nadiad. He appealed to voters across the country where elections are held to come out and vote.

The voting for the third phase of Lok Sabha elections 2024 commenced at 7 am on Tuesday (May 7), covering 93 constituencies across 11 states and Union Territories.

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Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma reached a polling station located in Barpeta Parliamentary Constituency and cast his vote. In this constituency, NDA has fielded Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) leader Phani Bhusan Choudhury against Congress' Deep Bayan.

Madhya Pradesh Chief Electoral Officer Anupam Rajan said, "In Bhind, an incident of firing has come to notice. It happened because of an internal conflict. It happened 400 meters away from any polling booth. It has nothing to do with the elections... In Guna, there was news that 11 votes were cast at a booth and the EVM showed 50 votes. The collector inquired about this to the presiding officer and the polling agents. This news is wrong... There are a total of 905 voters there and 295 of them voted till 11 am. There was 32% polling..."

39.92% voter turnout till 1 pm for phase 3 of #LokSabhaElections2024

Assam 45.88%

Bihar 36.69%

Chhattisgarh 46.14%

Dadra & Nagar Haveli And Daman & Diu 39.94%

Goa 49.04%

Gujarat 37.83%

Karnataka 41.59%

Madhya Pradesh 44.67%

Maharashtra 31.55%

Uttar Pradesh 38.12%

West Bengal 49.27%

"India's elections aren't just the world's largest. They are a remarkable showcase of diversity and unity, where every vote counts. I just voted, fulfilling my constitutional duty. Now it's your turn! Make your voice heard. Cast your vote," Pranav Adani, Managing Director (Agro, Oil and Gas) Adani Group wrote on X. 

During a public gathering in Dhar, Madhya Pradesh, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said "Congress is silent but today one of its allies confirmed the intentions of INDI alliance. Their leader who is in jail in connection with the fodder scam and has been punished by the court...He has just come out on bail...He said that Muslims should get reservation and not just reservation, he says that Muslims should get complete reservation. What does this mean? These people want to snatch away all the reservation that SC, ST and OBC community have and give complete reservation to Muslims..."

Actor Shekhar Suman said after joining the BJP: "Till yesterday I did not know that I would be sitting here today because many things in life happen knowingly or unknowingly. I have come here with a very positive thinking and I would like to thank God that he ordered me to come here.

Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami told news agency ANI: "Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also cast his vote. I want to appeal to everyone to come out and cast their votes for the completion of the resolution of Viksit Bharat and the upliftment of the people belonging to every section of the society and to make Narendra Modi the Prime Minister for the third time..."

Chhattisgarh CM Vishnu Deo Sai told news agency ANI: "The third phase of voting for the Lok Sabha Elections is underway today. I will visit my home village Bagiya in Jashpur district to cast my vote. I want to appeal to everyone to participate in the festival of democracy. The first, second and third phases turned out to be good for BJP. There is a positive environment across the country and people are supporting PM Modi..."

As per income-tax returns for 2022-23, BJP's Manoj Tiwari, representing North East Delhi, has emerged as the wealthiest candidate in Delhi with assets totalling Rs 28.05 crore (INR 280.5 million or $3.35 million). Following closely is Ramvir Singh Bidhuri from South Delhi, also from BJP, with assets worth Rs 21.08 crore (210.8 million or $2.5 million).

The third position is held by Mahabal Mishra of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) from West Delhi, with declared assets of Rs 19.93 crore (INR 199 million or $2.8 million). Not far behind is Bansuri Swaraj, the daughter of the late Sushma Swaraj making her electoral debut from the New Delhi constituency, with assets amounting to Rs 19 crore (INR 190 crore or $2.2 million). 

Raaj Kumar Anand, formerly with AAP and now representing the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), has assets worth Rs 17.87 crore (INR 178.7 million or $2.1 million).

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge has written to the leaders of INDIA alliance partners over the "inordinate delay" in releasing final turnout and the discrepancies found in the data.

In a post on social media platform X, party general secretary KC Venugopal wrote, "INC President Mallikarjun Kharge has written to leaders of INDIA alliance partners regarding the concerning attitude of the Election Commission of India. The inordinate delay in releasing final voter turnout figures and the discrepancies found in that data raises severe doubts about the free and fair nature of these elections."

10.57% turnout till 9 am for phase 3 of Lok Sabha elections

Assam 10.12%
Bihar 10.03%
Chhattisgarh 13.24%
Dadra & Nagar Haveli And Daman & Diu 10.13% 
Goa 12.35%
Gujarat 9.87%
Karnataka 9.45%
Madhya Pradesh 14.22%
Maharashtra 6.64%
Uttar Pradesh 11.63%
West Bengal 14.60%

As PM Modi greeted people after casting his vote at a polling booth in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, an elderly woman standing in the queue tied rakhi on his wrist. 

Taking to X, PM Modi wrote, "Voted in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections! Urging everyone to do so as well and strengthen our democracy."

Gujarat Home Minister Harsh Sanghvi casts his vote at a polling booth in Navsari Lok Sabha constituency in the third phase of the Lok Sabha elections.

State unit chief CR Patil has been fielded by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) from Navsari seat and the Indian National Congress (INC) has fielded Naishadh Desai.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi displayed his inked finger to the media after casting his vote at a polling booth in Ahmedabad, Gujarat.

After casting his vote, PM Modi said, "Today is the third phase of voting. There is great importance of 'Daan' in our country and in the same spirit, the countrymen should vote as much as possible. 4 rounds of voting are still ahead. As a voter in Gujarat, this is the only place where I vote regularly and Amit Bhai is contesting from here as a Bharatiya Janata Party candidate."

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi casts his vote at Nishan Higher Secondary School in Ahmedabad, Gujarat in the third phase of Lok Sabha elections.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached his polling booth in Ahmedabad, Gujarat to cast his vote in the third phase of elections. He was greeted by people as he arrived at a polling booth. Home Minister Amit Shah was also present at the polling booth.

India's Home Minister Amit Shah cast his vote at Nishan Higher Secondary School in Ahmedabad, Gujarat in the third phase of Lok Sabha elections. Shah filed his nomination papers as a BJP candidate for the Gandhinagar Lok Sabha seat. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will also cast his vote here today.

BJP candidate Dr Umesh Jadhav displayed his indelible ink mark on his finger after he cast his vote at a polling booth in Kalaburagi. He is fighting elections against Congress party chief Mallikarjun Kharge's son-in-law Radhakrishna Doddamani.

Taking to social media platform X, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi appealed to everyone to cast their vote and make elections more vibrant.

"Urging all those who are voting in today’s phase to vote in record numbers. Their active participation will certainly make the elections more vibrant," said PM Modi. 

The voting for the third phase of the Lok Sabha elections commenced today. Voting will be held in 93 constituencies across 11 states and Union Territories (UTs) and around 17.24 crore voters will cast their votes.

Former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister and BJP candidate from Vidisha, Shivraj Singh Chouhan was seen praying at his residence in Jait village of Sehore, just before the commencement of the third phase of voting.

The voters started to form queues early morning outside a polling booth in Jangipur, Murshidabad. The voting for the Lok Sabha election's third phase will begin shortly at 7 am.

Akshay Yadav, SP candidate from Firozabad in Uttar Pradesh said, "Our preparation is up to the mark. I have got the love of the people of Firozabad. We have worked hard and we will get the results." 

In Baramati, NCP veteran Sharad Pawar's daughter Supriya Sule is facing the challenge from her cousin Ajit Pawar's wife Sunetra Pawar. It will be closely watched. 

While speaking on the election on this seat, Pune Rural Police, SP, Pankaj Deshmukh said, "Pune rural police administration is fully geared up to conduct polls tomorrow for the Baramati parliamentary constituency. We have deployed almost 3000 police personnel. Apart from that, we have deployed 1600 home guards and we have a central armed police force. We have a total of nine companies of the central armed police force." 

"So we are completely geared up to conduct these elections in a peaceful and hassle-free manner. So we have identified a few pockets which we anticipate could become sensitive. Accordingly, we have made arrangements. We have deployed extra manpower," he added. 

Here's a report on some of the key contests that are being watched out across India with keen interest. 

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From Scindia power in Guna to Baramati’s Pawar play, poll summer faces heat of turfs 

Lok Sabha Elections Phase 3 Voting: Voters in 94 Lok Sabha constituencies across 10 states and 2 Union Territories will cast their votes on May 7 during the third phase of India's seven-phase General Elections. From Etawah-Mainpuri stronghold of Samajwadi Party's founding family to Baramati in Maharashtra, the battle for the strongholds of some of India's most noted and voted politicians is being keenly watched. 

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People will cast their vote in a total of 93 seats, spread across ten states and a union territory. Considering the weather conditions, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has made adequate arrangements for the third phase of polls, including facilities like water, shamiyana, and fans for convenience for voters. Notably, the weather conditions are predicted to be within normal range. 

The third phase of voting is scheduled to take place on Tuesday (May 7). The third phase of polls involves some key seats whose outcome will impact the future of political families involved in the contest to form the next government.