The fifth phase of Lok Sabha elections began on Monday in 49 parliamentary constituencies across six states and two Union territories (UTs). The Election Commission of India (ECI) reported a voter turnout of 36.73 percent till 1 pm.
According to the poll body, Ladakh recorded the highest voter turnout (52.02 per cent) followed by West Bengal (48.41 per cent), Jharkhand (41.89 per cent), Uttar Pradesh (39.55 per cent), Odisha (35.31 per cent), Jammu and Kashmir (34.79 per cent), Bihar (34.62 per cent) and Maharashtra (27.78 per cent)
Mumbai’s voter turnout remained dismal at 1 pm, failing to cross the 30 percent mark. Among the city’s constituencies, Mumbai North registered a turnout of 26.78 percent, Mumbai North Central saw 28.05 percent, Mumbai North-East recorded 28.82 percent, and Mumbai North-West had a 28.41 percent voter turnout. In Mumbai South, a voter turnout of 28.41 percent was recorded, while Mumbai South Central witnessed a turnout of 27.21 percent.
Over 8.95 crore voters, including 4.69 crore males, 4.26 crore females, and 5409 third-gender electors, will decide the fate of 695 candidates in the fifth phase of voting, as per the ECI.
Several constituencies are witnessing intense contests, with prominent candidates such as Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, BJP leaders Rajnath Singh, Smriti Irani, Rajiv Pratap Rudy, Piyush Goyal, Ujjwal Nikam, Karan Bhushan Singh, LJP (Ramvilas) chief Chirag Paswan, JKNC chief Omar Abdullah, and RJD leader Rohini Acharya in the fray.
The eight states/UTs polling in phase 5 are: Bihar, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal.
Of the 49 Lok Sabha seats, 14 are in Uttar Pradesh, 13 in Maharashtra, 7 in West Bengal, 5 in Bihar, 3 in Jharkhand, 5 in Odisha, and one each in Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.
To ensure free, fair, and peaceful voting, the ECI has deployed 2,000 flying squads, 2105 static surveillance teams, 881 video surveillance teams, and 502 video viewing teams round the clock across the 94,732 polling stations.
A strict vigil is being maintained at 216 international border check posts and 565 inter-state border check posts to prevent illicit activities like the flow of liquor, drugs, cash, and freebies. The ECI has also ensured strict surveillance on sea and air routes.
(With ANI input)