The fifth phase of voting for the Lok Sabha election is scheduled for May 20, covering 49 constituencies across eight states and Union territories. Voting will commence at 7 am and conclude at 6 pm, providing ample time for voters to cast their ballots.
This phase will see voter participation in 14 seats in Uttar Pradesh, 13 in Maharashtra, seven in West Bengal, five in Bihar, five in Odisha, three in Jharkhand, and one each in Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. The Election Commission has announced that 695 candidates are competing in this phase, following the validation of 749 out of 1,586 nomination forms by the May 3 deadline.
Key candidates in this phase include prominent figures such as Congress’ Rahul Gandhi from Rae Bareli, Union minister Smriti Irani from Amethi, Defence minister Rajnath Singh from Lucknow, Karan Bhushan Singh from Kaiserganj, RJD leader Rohini Acharya from Saran, Chirag Paswan from Hajipur, union minister Piyush Goyal from Mumbai North, and National Conference vice-president Omar Abdullah from Baramulla.
The Lok Sabha elections are being conducted in seven phases: April 19, April 26, May 7, May 13, May 20, May 25, and June 1, with the final vote count scheduled for June 4. The previous four phases recorded voter turnout ranging from 60 to 69 percent. The fourth phase, held on May 7 across 96 constituencies, saw the highest turnout so far at 69.16 percent. According to the Election Commission, the turnout comprised 69.58 percent male voters, 68.73 percent female voters, and 34.23 percent third-gender individuals.
As the nation approaches the fifth phase of polling, anticipation builds around the participation and choices of voters in these key constituencies. The outcomes of these elections will shape the political landscape of India for the coming years.
