An approximate voter turnout of 10.35% was recorded in the first two hours of polling on Monday in 96 constituencies spread over 10 states and Union Territories in the fourth phase of the Lok Sabha elections amid complaints of EVM malfunctioning in West Bengal.
According to the Election Commission, Jammu and Kashmir witnessed the lowest voting percentage till 9 a.m. with 5.07% voters exercising their franchise, while West Bengal recorded the highest with 15.24%, reports The Hindu.
Urging people to vote in large numbers, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said it is everyone’s duty to strengthen India’s democracy. With Assembly polls also being held in Andhra Pradesh and Odisha alongside the Lok Sabha elections across the country, Mr. Modi appealed to voters to turn up at polling booths in record numbers.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and party leader Rahul Gandhi also urged people to cast their votes in large numbers in the fourth round of the seven-phase Lok Sabha polls and help the INDIA bloc form government at the Centre.
Polling for Phase 4 of the Lok Sabha elections began at 7 a.m. on May 13. Voting will end at 6 p.m. In this phase, 96 seats in 10 States and Union Territories are going to the polls.
Andhra Pradesh (25), Telangana (17), Uttar Pradesh (13), Maharashtra (11), Madhya Pradesh (8), West Bengal (8), Bihar (5), Odisha (4) and Jammu and Kashmir (1) will also go to polls in this round of voting. Voters in Andhra Pradesh will also vote to elect their representatives for the 175-member State Assembly. Also, 28 Legislative Assembly seats in Odisha will go to the polls on Monday.
Bd pratidin English/Lutful Hoque
