2024 LS Elections all set to launch its most extensive phase, major leaders participate in battle

New Delhi, (IANS) : World’s biggest democracy is all set to launch its electoral process. The first and largest phase of the Lok Sabha Elections 2024 begins on Friday morning for 102 constituencies in 21 states/UTs, stretching across various landscapes ranging from hills, islands, jungles, vibrant urban centers from northern reaches of J&K to the southernmost Andaman and Nicobar, Bihar to Lakshadweep and from Maharashtra to Mizoram. Simultaneously, election process will be held in Arunachal and Sikkim to elect new assemblies.
With a majority of 3.51 crore young voters in the age group of 20-29 years and 35 lakh first-time voters, over 16.63 crore voters are eligible to head to 1.87 lakh polling stations and decide the fate of 1625 candidates that include various Union Ministers, former Chief Ministers and Governor.
Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari, renowned for overseeing substantial infrastructure expansion nationwide, is contesting from Maharashtra’s Nagpur. Meanwhile, his cabinet colleagues Sarbananda Sonowal, Jitendra Singh, Bhupender Yadav, and Arjun Ram Meghwal are vying for seats in Assam’s Dibrugarh, Jammu and Kashmir’s Udhampur, and Rajasthan’s Alwar and Bikaner, respectively.
Union Minister Kiran Rijiju is competing in Arunachal Pradesh against former Chief Minister Nabam Tuki of the Congress. In Tamil Nadu’s Nilgiris constituency, ministerial colleague L. Murugan faces DMK leader and former Union Minister A. Raja. Additionally, Nisith Pramanik is contesting from West Bengal’s Cooch Behar. Telangana’s former Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan is nominated by BJP as their candidate in the Chennai South Lok Sabha constituency. Additionally, former Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb is contesting from Tripura West.
Polling will be end by 6:00pm in majority constituencies.
The Lok Sabha battle will end in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Mizoram, Nagaland, Puducherry, Sikkim (one seat each), Arunachal Pradesh and Meghalaya (two seats each), Uttarakhand (five seats) and Tamil Nadu (39 seats) in the first phase.
Voting is scheduled across multiple constituencies including Assam’s Dibrugarh, Jorhat, Kaziranga, Lakhimpur, and Sonitpur; Bihar’s Aurangabad, Gaya, Jamui, and Nawada; Chhattisgarh’s Bastar; Madhya Pradesh’s Chhindwara, Balaghat, Jabalpur, Mandla, Sidhi, and Shahdol; Maharashtra’s Chandrapur, Bhandara-Gondiya, Gadchiroli-Chimur, Ramtek, and Nagpur; Rajasthan’s Ganganagar, Bikaner, Churu, Jhunjhunu, Sikar, Jaipur Rural, Jaipur, Alwar, Bharatpur, Karauli-Dholpur, Dausa, and Nagaur; Manipur’s Inner and Outer Manipur constituencies (partially); Uttar Pradesh’s Pilibhit, Saharanpur, Kairana, Muzaffarnagar, Bijnor, Nagina, Moradabad, and Rampur; and West Bengal’s Cooch Behar, Alipurduars, and Jalpaiguri.
To ensure fair elections, the Election Commission has deployed numerous surveillance teams, including flying squads, static surveillance teams, and video surveillance teams. Inter-state and international border checkpoints are closely monitored to prevent illegal activities like the flow of liquor, drugs, cash, and freebies. Additionally, provisions for basic amenities, particularly drinking water, have been directed for voters considering the prevailing heat conditions.”