The second phase of the seven-phase 18th Lok Sabha elections is set for April 26, 2024. Following the successful completion of the first phase on April 19, voters across 13 states and union territories (UTs) will head to the polls in the upcoming phase. The Election Commission of India (ECI) has scheduled the counting of votes for June 4, with the remaining phases running through early June.
On election day, schools and colleges serving as polling stations will be closed to ensure security and minimise disruptions. The closures aim to create a safe and stable environment during the polling process.
This second phase encompasses 89 constituencies across 13 states and UTs. Voters from Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jammu and Kashmir, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Rajasthan, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal will cast their ballots. Some notable constituencies in this phase include Mathura, where BJP’s Hema Malini seeks re-election, and Wayanad, where Congress’s Rahul Gandhi is in a fierce contest against CPI’s Annie Raja and BJP’s K. Surendran.
During the first phase, 102 parliamentary constituencies across 21 states and UTs recorded a nearly 64% voter turnout. The northeastern state of Tripura led with an impressive 80% turnout, while Bihar saw less than 49%. Due to incidents of violence and disruption at several polling stations in the Inner Manipur constituency, the ECI has announced repolling at 11 stations on April 22.
As the elections progress, security measures remain a top priority. The varied voter turnout rates highlight the diverse political landscape across the country, and the stakes are high as key candidates vie for parliamentary seats in this pivotal general election.
