Lok Sabha Elections 2024: PM Modi casts his vote, equates voting to 'daan'

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi casthis vote at Nishan Higher Secondary School in Ahmedabad, Gujarat in the third phase of Lok Sabha elections on Tuesday (May 7).

He was greeted by scores of people as he arrived at thepolling booth. Home Minister Amit Shah was also present at the polling booth.

Also Read: Lok Sabha Elections 2024 Phase 3: India in middle of its poll summer as voting begins across 93 seats

After casting his vote, PM Modi displayed his inked finger and interacted with the reporters gathered outside the polling booth in Ahmedabad.

#WATCH | Prime Minister Narendra Modi casts his vote for #LokSabhaElections2024 at Nishan Higher Secondary School in Ahmedabad, Gujarat pic.twitter.com/i057pygTkJ — ANI (@ANI) May 7, 2024

"Today is the third phase of voting. I appeal to countrymen that they should vote in large numbers. There is great importance of 'Daan' (charity) in our country andinthe same spirit, the countrymen should vote as much as possible. Fourrounds 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," said the prime minister.

He further appreciated the election management of the country and said that a case study should be done on it by the biggest universities.

#WATCH | Prime Minister Narendra Modi greets people after casting his vote for #LokSabhaElections2024 at a polling booth in Ahmedabad, Gujarat

Union Home Minister Amit Shah is also present. pic.twitter.com/0UOfKDacd0 — ANI (@ANI) May 7, 2024

"India's election process,electionmanagement is an example for the world's democracies to learn from. The world's biggest universities should do a case study. There are elections in around 64 countries and there should be a comparison of all of them. This year is like a celebration of democracy... I again tell the countrymen to vote in large numbers and celebrate the festival of democracy," he said.

Modi shares light-hearted moments with reporters, public

While interacting with media personnel, the prime minister advised them to take care of their health while covering the Lok Sabha elections.

“You should drink more water and it will be good for your health and will also give you energy," said PM Modi.

Watch:India General Elections 2024: India votes in Phase 3, polls across 10 states 2 Union territories

He also met with people gathered outside the polling booth after casting his vote. Hewas also seen playing with a child.

#WATCH | Prime Minister Narendra Modi greets people after casting his vote for #LokSabhaElections2024 at a polling booth in Ahmedabad, Gujarat pic.twitter.com/ifC1WadSEJ — ANI (@ANI) May 7, 2024

#WATCH | Prime Minister Narendra Modi shares a light-hearted moment with a child as he greets people after casting his vote at a polling booth in Ahmedabad, Gujarat #LokSabhaElections2024 pic.twitter.com/h1QI7l1dDD — ANI (@ANI) May 7, 2024

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

#WATCH | An elderly woman ties rakhi to PM Modi as he greets people after casting his vote for #LokSabhaElections2024 at a polling booth in Ahmedabad, Gujarat pic.twitter.com/pGKPQhQiQd — ANI (@ANI) May 7, 2024

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

The voting for the third phase of the Lok Sabha elections commenced on Tuesday (May 7). Voting willbe heldin 93 constituencies across 11 states and Union Territories (UTs)andaround 17.24 crore voters will cast their votes.

(With inputs from agencies)