Phase 1 of Lok Sabha Election Polls
The first phase of polling for the Lok Sabha Elections held on 11th April 2019, saw long lines of voters across 20 states. According to the Election Commission, the voter turnout matched the percentag
The Phase-1 of the 2019 Lok Sabha Elections were held on 11th April 2019. The elections were carried out across 20 states.Polling is now complete in 10 states and Union territories. According to the Election Commission, the voting percentages matched that of the 2014 Lok Sabha Elections.
The highest percentage of voter turnout was in Tripura which was 81.8% and West Bengal which was 80%. Jammu & Kashmir recorded a voter turnout of 72% in Jammu .The terrorism affected city of Baramulla also saw 35% of its population turn up to cast their votes. This is the first time that VVPATs were used in EVMs all over the country for the Lok Sabha Elections.
An IED blast occurred at Narayanpur in Chhattisgarh and a polling party came under attack in Maoist-hit Gadchiroli in Maharashtra. No casualties were reported. 15 cases of EVMs being damaged were reported. There 6 EVMs which were destroyed in Andhra Pradesh, 5 in Arunachal Pradesh, 2 in Manipur, 1 in West Bengal and 1 in Bihar. The Election Commission has said that legal action will be taken against persons responsible for damaging EVMs.
The EC has seized Rs 2,426 crore in cash. This is double the amount seized in the 2014 Lok Sabha Elections. This amount includes cash, liquor, drugs, gold and other freebies given during elections.
There were many complaints from people because they could not find their names in the electoral roles once they reached the polling stations. The EC has said that they have launched the “GoVerify” campaign to avoid such incidents.
