The fourth phase of General Elections 2024 commenced Today across 96 Parliamentary Constituencies (PCs) in 10 States and Union Territories (UTs). Polling stations opened at 7 am, witnessing voter turnout of approximately 62.84% by 8 PM. Despite polling officially closing at 6 PM, a large number of voters remained in queues, eager to exercise their democratic right.
The Election Commission of India (ECI) ensured transparency by providing provisional voter turnout figures via the Voter Turnout App. These figures, alongside state, PC, and assembly constituency-wise data, will be available for stakeholders. Additionally, the Commission will release updated turnout figures in a press note around 2345 hours for further convenience.
With the conclusion of phase four, General Elections have crossed the halfway mark, covering 23 States/UTs and 379 PCs. Additionally, polling for State Legislative Assemblies in Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Andhra Pradesh, and 28 seats of the Odisha State Assembly has been completed.
In the Kashmir valley, voters turned out peacefully for the Srinagar PC, while in Telangana, polling time in certain assembly segments of 17 Parliamentary Constituencies was extended to boost voter participation.
To enhance transparency, the Voter Turnout App now allows Android users to take screenshots, supplementing existing measures such as displaying state-wise turnout and releasing phase-wise electors’ data.
Following the laid-down procedure, scrutiny of election papers will occur one day after polling in the presence of candidates or their authorized agents, with decisions on any repolling made thereafter. Additionally, the Commission will publish updated voter turnout figures, along with gender-wise breakup, by May 17, 2024.
Despite the largely favorable weather conditions, an unfortunate incident occurred in Champapet, Telangana, where a polling official passed away while on duty. The Commission promptly directed the Chief Electoral Officer of Telangana to ensure immediate disbursal of ex-gratia payment to the deceased polling officer’s family.
Looking ahead, the fifth phase of polling is scheduled for May 20, 2024, covering 49 PCs across 8 States/UTs.