Lok Sabha Election 2024: Final phase concludes, recording a voter turnout of 59.45%

The General Elections to the 18th Lok Sabha have drawn to a close after seven phases of polling, making it the largest electoral exercise in the world. The final phase, Phase 7, recorded a voter turnout of 59.45% as of 8:45 PM, marking a significant participation by citizens in shaping the future of the nation.

In addition to the parliamentary constituencies, polling was also conducted for Assembly Constituencies in Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, and Odisha, bringing the electoral process to completion.

The Election Commission of India expressed its deepest gratitude to all stakeholders involved, including voters, polling personnel, law enforcement agencies, and volunteers, for their contributions towards ensuring the smooth conduct of the elections.

With the conclusion of Phase 7, the polling for General Elections 2024 is now complete. The counting of votes for the Lok Sabha elections and State Legislative Assemblies of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha is scheduled for June 4th, 2024, while for Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim, it will take place on June 2nd, 2024.

Under the leadership of Chief Election Commissioner Shri Rajiv Kumar and his colleagues, the Election Commission meticulously monitored every aspect of the polling process across the seven phases. Stringent security measures were implemented to create a conducive environment for voters to exercise their franchise without fear or intimidation.

Throughout the seven phases, there have been numerous success stories highlighting the vibrant democracy of India. The participation of voters from all sections of society, including women, youngsters, persons with disabilities, and senior citizens, reflects their belief and trust in the democratic process.

Noteworthy initiatives such as home-voting facilities for senior citizens and persons with disabilities have been introduced for the first time, ensuring inclusivity in the electoral process. Regions like Jammu and Kashmir witnessed a significant increase in voter turnout, indicating the growing trust of the people in the electoral system.

The Election Commission also lauded the efforts to address campaign clutter and noise through platforms like cVigil, which enabled citizens to report complaints swiftly. Transparent and timely approval of requests from political parties and candidates further facilitated a fair and transparent electoral process.

States and Union Territories that went to polls in the final phase included Bihar, Chandigarh, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Punjab, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal, with a total of 904 candidates contesting for various seats.

The Election Commission continues to update the voter turnout figures on its Voter Turnout App, providing comprehensive data at the State, Parliamentary Constituency, and Assembly Constituency levels. Further updates regarding the scrutiny of election papers and any repolling decisions will be communicated in due course.

The successful conclusion of the General Elections 2024 reaffirms India's commitment to democracy and underscores the active participation of its citizens in the democratic process.