UP Elections 2024 Highlights: 55.80% voter turnout recorded till 5 pm

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Uttar Pradesh Congress in-charge Avinash Pande stated today that the people of the country will not tolerate changes to the Constitution and will protect it "till the last breath." Speaking to reporters after the coordination meeting of various constituent parties of the INDIA bloc at the district headquarters, Pande reiterated, "We will protect the Constitution till our last breath".

Rahul Gandhi, earlier today, took to microblogging site X, alleging EVM malfunctions, and accused the BJP of preventing people from voting at three booths in Bela Khara village in the Rahi block.
Additionally, SP candidate Shreya Verma from the Gonda constituency complained to the EC about unfair polling at booth numbers 180 and 181 in the Mankapur area.

According to the EC, as of 3 pm, voter turnout was recorded at 45.13 percent in Amethi, 48.08 percent in Banda, 55.35 percent in Barabanki, 48.66 percent in Faizabad, 47.25 percent in Fatehpur, 43.23 percent in Gonda, 48.87 percent in Hamirpur, 46.22 percent in Jalaun, 52.53 percent in Jhansi, 46.01 percent in Kaisarganj, 43.01 percent in Kaushambi, 41.90 percent in Lucknow, 51.08 percent in Mohanlalganj, and 47.83 percent in Rae Bareli.

Uttar Pradesh DGP Prashant Kumar and his wife cast their votes in Lucknow today for the fifth phase of the Lok Sabha elections.
After voting at a polling station in Lucknow, Kumar stated, "I urge everyone to vote and choose their representatives with responsibility. Voting is progressing smoothly in the 14 Lok Sabha constituencies spanning 21 districts."

BJP MP Brij Bhushan, during an interaction with the press, after casting his franchisee in Gonda, stated, "Karan Bhushan Singh will outperform me. His behavior, discipline, and lifestyle clearly demonstrate this".

Congress leader and the party's candidate for the Rae Bareli Lok Sabha constituency was seen inspecting polling booths in the constituency this afternoon, shortly after casting his franchisee, reported ANI.

Robert Vadra further noted, "I need not say much about the Gandhi family; the whole country and citizens know that since 70 years, the Nehru-Gandhi family has been actively involved in the development of the nation and for the people, betterment, equality, secularism and just making sure that everybody feels equal".

Robert Vadra further noted, "I need not say much about the Gandhi family; the whole country and citizens know that since 70 years, the Nehru-Gandhi family has been actively involved in the development of the nation and for the people, betterment, equality, secularism and just making sure that everybody feels equal".

Robert Vadra, husband of Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi, in an interaction with the press today, said, "Every morning, we watch the PM giving his speeches for two hours, in which I feel sometimes he is mocking Rahul, Priyanka and talking about Congress manifesto. Actually, everybody starts reading the manifesto more because of the PM, so it's working for the Congress party. Whatever he says, he contradicts".

After casting his vote, Jansatta Dal (Loktantrik) leader Raghuraj Pratap Singh 'Raja Bhaiya' said, "The voting is going on very well. It is happening peacefully. I feel that there is an anti-incumbency wave against the present MP... We have made an appeal and it is also having an impact as people are coming out to vote..."

Uttar Pradesh has recorded a voter turnout of 39.55% till 1 PM. Voting is taking place in 14 constituencies: Mohanlalganj, Lucknow, Rae Bareli, Amethi, Jalaun, Jhansi, Hamirpur, Banda, Fatehpur, Barabanki, Kaushambi, Faizabad, Kaiserganj, and Gonda.

BSP leader Vishwanath Pal, along with his wife and son, cast their votes at the primary school of his native village, booth number 236 Antpur, in the Ayodhya assembly constituency.

"Jaago re jaago desh ke matdata..." sings folk singer Malini Awasthi, urging the public to cast their vote in the Lok Sabha elections.

Former Secondary School Shivgarh in Bachhrawan of Rae Bareli has been made the ideal polling station. There are a total of 4580 voters here and till 12:40 pm 2166 votes had been cast.

BJP MP Brij Bhushan Singh cast his vote at a polling station in Kaiserganj. His son, Karan Bhushan Sharan Singh, is the BJP candidate contesting from Kaiserganj.

“Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav has chosen me for this seat. This election isn’t about Awadhesh Prasad but about the people and we have never received such big support from people,” says Samajwadi Party candidate from Ayodhya’s Faizabad Lok Sabha seat, Awadhesh Prasad.

Uttar Pradesh DGP Prashant Kumar, along with his wife, cast their votes at a polling booth in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh.

Senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi arrived at Gandhi Vidyalya Bachhrawan, Raebareli, to cast his vote in the fifth phase of the Lok Sabha election.

As of 11 AM, the highest voter turnout in Uttar Pradesh was recorded in Barabanki at 30.60%. The turnouts in other constituencies were as follows:

- Jhansi: 29.82%
- Banda: 29.25%
- Faizabad: 29.05%
- Fatehpur: 28.54%
- Mohanlalganj: 28.52%
- Hamirpur: 28.24%
- Rae Bareli: 28.10%
- Kaiserganj: 27.92%
- Amethi: 27.20%
- Jalaun: 26.97%
- Gonda: 26.68%
- Kaushambi: 26.12%
- Lucknow: 22.11%

After casting her vote, BJP leader Aparna Yadav said, "I appeal to the people to vote and participate in this festival of democracy...People have faith in BJP, and PM Modi will become PM for the third time..."

Acharya Satyendra Das, the chief priest of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple, cast his vote at a polling booth in Ayodhya.

Uttar Pradesh ADG Law & Order, Amitabh Yash, emphasized the significance of voting, stating, "Voting is our national duty. We should certainly cast our vote..."

BJP leader Sudhanshu Trivedi emphasized the importance of voting, saying, "I would like to tell all citizens of the country to definitely exercise their franchise. Voting is your right as well as duty...Vote for Viksit Bharat, secure Bharat, prosperous and proud India."

Responding to RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav's claim of 300 plus seats for the INDIA Alliance, Trivedi remarked, "What he is saying is strange. He dropped out of the government while saying these things...Election results are not very far. It is a matter of a few days. Everything will be clear..."

The UP Electricity Regulatory Commission chairman, Arvind Kumar, along with his family members, cast his vote in Uttar Pradesh.

"I appeal to the voters of the country to cast their vote along with their family members," said Defence Minister and BJP candidate from the Lucknow Lok Sabha seat, Rajnath Singh, after casting his vote.

After casting his vote in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, Mahant Raju Das of Hanuman Garhi Temple commented, "Opposition does not have any vision or agenda. The country is heading towards development. PM Modi has raised the country on a global platform."

- Gandey, Jharkhand: As of 9 am, a voter turnout of 10.37% has been recorded in the Assembly by-election to Gandey constituency in Jharkhand.

- Lucknow East, Uttar Pradesh: In the Assembly by-election to Lucknow East constituency in Uttar Pradesh, a voter turnout of 10.88% has been recorded till 9 am.

"I have voted on national issues," says Hanumangarhi Temple priest Mahant Gyan Das when asked about the issue on which he has cast his vote in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh.

BJP MLA from Raebareli Sadar, Aditi Singh, remarked, "Congress party always shows overconfidence and hence they are in such condition today, but there is a good fight on Raebareli seat and the result will be good... We are going to form the govt with a good number of seats, the PM is going to be the PM for the third term. Continuity and stability are also sometimes good for the ongoing projects, foreign policy and for so many things which are already in motion..."

After casting her vote, BJP MP and candidate from Amethi Lok Sabha seat, Smriti Irani, expressed her sentiments, stating, "Today it is my good fortune that I have cast my vote in my village Gauriganj with the resolve of a Viksit Bharat. I appeal to the people to cast their vote. It is our responsibility towards the future of our country..."

BJP MP and candidate from Amethi Lok Sabha seat, Smriti Irani, arrived at a polling station in Amethi to cast her vote. Irani is contesting against Congress leader KL Sharma from this seat.

BJP MP Brij Bhushan Singh expressed satisfaction with his son Karan Bhushan Singh's candidature, stating, "Everyone is happy with his candidature. Karan Bhushan Singh is attached to the youth of Gona. He is a National player, so he is interested in sports as much as he is in other things."

Key candidates, including Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Union ministers Rajnath Singh and Smriti Irani, are among those voting in the fifth phase today. The fate of five Union ministers and other prominent figures will be decided across 14 Lok Sabha constituencies in Uttar Pradesh.

Voting at booth number 242 of Haidergarh Higher Primary School and booth number 289 of Saray Chaubey Primary School in Barabanki has been delayed due to machine malfunction.

Alongside the fifth phase of Lok Sabha elections, the by-election for the Eastern Assembly constituency is scheduled for Monday. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has nominated Om Prakash Srivastava for the vacant seat left after the demise of former minister Ashutosh Tandon.

In Uttar Pradesh, where 14 seats are up for grabs, five central government ministers are in the fray, including Defense Minister Rajnath Singh. Other notable candidates include Smriti Irani, Kaushal Kishore, Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti, and Bhanu Pratap Verma. All eyes are particularly on Rae Bareli as Rahul Gandhi is contesting from this constituency.

Union Minister Smriti Irani urged people to exercise their franchise in the fifth phase of polling today.

"Festival of democracy, pride of the nation…Today is the day of the fifth phase of voting for the Lok Sabha elections. All respected voters are requested to definitely vote. Your every vote will form the basis of a 'developed India' and will prove invaluable in making India a leader and self-reliant on the global stage," she wrote on X.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Electoral Officer Navdeep Rinwa announced actions following a viral video showing a youth casting multiple votes on an EVM. "Last evening, a video went viral which showed a youth casting his vote on an EVM multiple times...It was probed and it was found to be a video from Farrukhabad Lok Sabha constituency. It is specifically from a village in the Aliganj Assembly constituency that comes under Etah district...The youth was identified & FIR was registered under sections of the Representation of People Act, IPC and Information Technology Act. He has been arrested...Suspension and departmental action on the polling party of that booth have been decided. Re-election has been recommended to the Election Commission," Rinwa stated.

After casting his vote, BJP's Raebareli candidate, Dinesh Pratap Singh says, "There is no confusion that Lotus is blooming in Amethi and Raebareli...Rahul Gandhi is taking the name of his grandmother, father but he is not talking about his grandfather..."

Congress has fielded Rahul Gandhi from the Raebareli seat.

BSP president and former UP CM Mayawati, after casting her vote in Lucknow, appeals to the people to come out and go to their polling booths to cast their votes. " I appeal to the people to come out and go to their polling booths and cast their votes," says BSP president and former UP CM Mayawati as she casts her vote in UP's Lucknow.

After casting his vote, sitting MP from Ayodhya and BJP candidate, Lallu Singh, shares his observations. He mentions that people are voting to contribute to the development of India and Ayodhya, as well as to support Prime Minister Modi for a third term.

Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh seeks a third consecutive term in the Lucknow Lok Sabha seat as the BJP candidate. Challenging him is Ravidas Mehrotra of the Samajwadi Party, a sitting MLA.

In Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh Deputy CM Keshav Prasad Maurya expresses confidence in BJP's performance, stating that the party has already secured over 270 seats in the first four phases. He anticipates overwhelming support for BJP, particularly in the 14 UP seats, including Raebareli, in the fifth phase. Urging everyone to vote, he highlights the historic significance of this election.

Today marks the voting for the fifth phase of the Lok Sabha election 2024, covering 49 constituencies across the country. Visuals from a polling booth in Amethi, Uttar Pradesh, showcase the electoral fervour as BJP MP and candidate Smriti Irani, and Congress' KL Sharma vie for the seat in this constituency.

Ahead of the fifth phase of voting in the Lok Sabha elections, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to encourage people to cast their votes. He emphasized the importance of each vote in building a strong and safe India and achieving the vision of a developed nation. Adityanath urged voters to prioritize voting before indulging in any refreshments, stressing the significance of their participation in the electoral process.

In addition to the fifth phase of the Lok Sabha elections in Uttar Pradesh, the by-election for the Lucknow East Assembly constituency is scheduled for Monday. Following the passing of former minister Ashutosh Tandon, the Bharatiya Janata Party has nominated Om Prakash Srivastava for the vacant seat.

Across the 14 constituencies in Uttar Pradesh, voters will decide the fate of five central government ministers, including Defense Minister Rajnath Singh. Other prominent candidates include Smriti Irani, Kaushal Kishore, Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti, and Bhanu Pratap Verma. All eyes are particularly on Rae Bareli, as Rahul Gandhi is contesting from this constituency. Stay tuned for live updates on these significant electoral events.

A total of 144 candidates are contesting across 14 constituencies, with 131 male and 13 female candidates. Fatehpur Lok Sabha constituency witnesses the highest number of candidates, with 15 in the fray, while Kaiserganj has the lowest, with only four candidates.

For the assembly by-election in Lucknow East, there are 4,64,510 eligible voters, comprising 2,42,937 men, 2,21,558 women, and 15 third gender voters. With 417 polling places, including 15 critical locations and 86 polling stations, a total of four candidates are competing. Stay tuned for further updates on the electoral process.

A total of 28,688 polling booths, with 4,232 identified as critical. The Election Commission has deployed three special observers, 14 general observers, nine police observers, and 15 expenditure observers to monitor the voting process. Additionally, 2,416 Sector Magistrates, 327 Zonal Magistrates, 549 Static Magistrates, and 3,619 Micro Observers are overseeing the proceedings. With 7,426 heavy vehicles, 7,410 light vehicles, and 1,28,642 polling personnel deployed, the election process is under close scrutiny.

In the fifth phase of the Uttar Pradesh Lok Sabha Election 2024, there are a total of 2,71,36,363 eligible voters across 14 Lok Sabha seats. Among them, there are 1,44,05,097 male voters, 1,27,30,186 female voters, and 1,080 voters belonging to the third gender.

Today, voting is underway for 14 Lok Sabha seats across 21 districts of Uttar Pradesh. These districts include Lucknow, Sitapur, Rae Bareli, Amethi, Sultanpur, Kanpur Dehat, Jalaun, Jhansi, Lalitpur, Hamirpur, Mahoba, Banda, Chitrakoot, Fatehpur, Kaushambi, Pratapgarh, Barabanki, Ayodhya, Gonda, Bahraich, and Balrampur.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has held a strong grip on the Lucknow Lok Sabha constituency since 1991, starting with the late Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Vajpayee won five consecutive terms and held the seat until 2009. His close associate, Lalji Tandon, won the seat in 2009 and passed the legacy to Rajnath Singh. Singh, honoring Vajpayee's legacy, secured victories in 2014 and 2019, and is now aiming for a third consecutive win. In 2014, Singh received 54.43% of the votes, which increased to 56.64% in 2019, winning by a margin of 3.5 lakh votes. This year, he is targeting a victory margin of over 5 lakh votes as the city heads to polls on May 20.

In the fifth phase of the Lok Sabha elections, voters in 14 constituencies of Uttar Pradesh will cast their ballots today amid tight security. Additionally, the Lucknow East Assembly by-election will also take place. Chief Electoral Officer Navdeep Rinwa has ensured all necessary arrangements, including drinking water, sun protection, and uninterrupted power supply at polling stations. Voting will run from 7 am to 6 pm, with all voters in line by 6 pm allowed to vote. The constituencies involved are Mohanlalganj, Lucknow, Rae Bareli, Amethi, Jalaun, Jhansi, Hamirpur, Banda, Fatehpur, Kaushambi, Barabanki, Faizabad, Kaiserganj, and Gonda.

Good morning! Welcome to Moneycontrol's live coverage of election news and headlines. Today, we bring you the latest updates on the crucial Lok Sabha elections in Uttar Pradesh, where key constituencies are heading to the polls. Stay tuned for all the developments!