The sixth phase of the Lok Sabha elections 2024 commenced today, featuring key election rallies by political leaders and the announcement of Q4 results by several companies. The Met department issued a heatwave alert for Delhi and other states, while various events and initiatives took place across the country.
The penultimate phase of the Lok Sabha elections will take place on May 25, with 57 constituencies from seven States/Union Territories going to the polls. Odisha, West Bengal, Jammu and Kashmir, Bihar, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, and Jharkhand will participate in this phase. Over 11 crore voters will decide the fate of 889 candidates contesting in this phase. Polling for the Anantnag-Rajouri seat in Jammu and Kashmir, earlier postponed due to adverse weather conditions, will also be held on Saturday.
58 Lok Sabha seats across six states and two Union Territories are up for grabs in the sixth and penultimate phase of India’s general election on Saturday, where over 11 crore voters will exercise their franchise to seal the fate of 889 candidates. The states involved are Haryana, Delhi, Bihar, Jharkhand, Jammu and Kashmir, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal. The Election Commission has taken steps to facilitate voting for the elderly, centenarians, and disabled voters, providing them with the option to cast their ballots from home. The final phase of polling will take place on June 1, with the counting of votes scheduled for June 4.
The Excise Department has issued a notification mandating the closure of all liquor stores and licensed premises in the National Capital Region (NCR) ahead of Phase 6 polling for the Lok Sabha Elections 2024 in Delhi on May 25. The ban on liquor sales will be in effect from 6:00 pm on May 23 to 6:00 pm on May 25, covering Delhi, Haryana’s Faridabad, and Gurgaon. The restrictions aim to ensure free and fair voting in the elections, as per the orders of the Election Commission of India (ECI). Additionally, liquor will not be sold on June 4, the vote-counting day.
Participating voters in Delhi’s sixth phase of Lok Sabha Elections 2024 on May 25 will be treated to a variety of delectable discounts at restaurants and food outlets. Eateries around Jama Masjid, Chandni Chowk, and Delhi Gate are offering up to 25% off, while the Radisson Blu Hotel in Dwarka is providing 50% and 30% off on lunch and dinner buffets, respectively. McDonald’s cafes have a ‘Election Surprise Offer’ that includes a free beverage or dessert with the purchase of a Chicken/Veg Surprise Burger. Voters can also dine at Select City Walk Mall in Saket, as the management has requested discounts from participating establishments. Discounts are available upon showing proof of participation, such as an inked finger.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has shed light on the BJP’s ambitious target of winning 370 seats in the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha elections. According to the Prime Minister, the number 370 holds symbolic significance, representing the abrogation of Article 370 from Jammu and Kashmir. This move, he said, strengthened national unity, and the BJP aims to etch this message into people’s minds with its electoral victory.
The ruling party’s target extends beyond the BJP’s 370 seats, with the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) coalition collectively aiming for over 400 seats out of the 543-member Lok Sabha. This would mark a historic third consecutive single-party majority for the BJP and secure a third term for Prime Minister Modi. The seven-phase Lok Sabha elections commenced on April 19, with five phases completed and the remaining two scheduled for May 25 and June 1. The counting of votes will take place on June 4.
US Ambassador to India, Eric Garcetti, has lauded India’s execution of the colossal Lok Sabha 2024 elections, terming it an extraordinary and inspiring experience. As a first-time observer of the Indian electoral process, Garcetti praised the vibrant campaigning and smooth conduct of the polls, calling them the world’s biggest election. Furthermore, he highlighted the growing partnership between India and the US, emphasizing their roles as the fastest-growing economies in their respective spheres, and their collaboration in areas such as space exploration.
The Election Commission has adopted a creative approach to encourage higher voter participation in the final phase of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections by utilizing the popular Lapataa Ladies trend. Through a recent social media post featuring dialogue from the film, the EC aims to connect with voters and inspire them to exercise their right to vote.
In order to ensure free and fair voting, liquor stores and other licensed premises in Delhi, Faridabad, and Gurgaon will be shut down from 6 PM on May 23 to 6 PM on May 25. Additionally, there will be no liquor sale in these cities on the day of Lok Sabha Elections 2024 result announcement, June 4.
The penultimate phase of the ongoing Lok Sabha and Assembly elections in Odisha is set to take place on May 25. This phase will determine the fate of politicians in six Lok Sabha and 42 Assembly seats. Both the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Biju Janata Dal (BJD) are engaged in a fierce campaign to outsmart each other. Key candidates and constituencies to watch include Sambalpur, Puri, Cuttack, and Bhubaneswar.
