#LokSabhaElections: Voters turn out in large numbers in phase 1
Amid reports of non-functional EVMs, missing names on voters' list, and violence, the first phase of 17th Lok Sabha elections concluded on Thursday. Citizens voted to elect representatives for 91 LS seats. Though the voter turnout varied from state to state, but overall the number was high at most places. Whether it is good for the incumbent government or not, only time will tell.
Citizens of Andhra, Sikkim, Arunachal, and Odisha voted for assembly
The Election Commission had said 140 million voters were eligible to participate in the first phase of polls. Apart from parliamentary elections, assembly elections were held simultaneously for all seats in Andhra Pradesh (175 seats), Sikkim (32 seats), and Arunachal Pradesh (57 seats). In Odisha, polling happened for 28 out of 147 assembly seats. The elections were largely peaceful.
However, only 32.9% voters got inked in Kashmir's Baramulla
Here are the states-wise numbers: in Telangana, 60% of eligible voters exercised their right while 68% of voters turned up in Andhra Pradesh. Jammu saw 67.39% turnout. Sikkim, Mizoram, and Nagaland, where elections were held in one phase, witnessed a turnout of 69%, 60%, and 78% respectively. In Manipur, the turnout was 78.2%. However, 32.9% voted in Baramulla of Kashmir.
Among states, Bihar recorded the lowest turnout
In Assam, the turnout was 68%, and it was 81% in West Bengal. The turnout in Lakshadweep was 66% and in Andaman and Nicobar Islands it was 70.67%. 64% of voters turned up in Uttar Pradesh and in Uttarakhand, the figure was 57.85%. The lowest turnout was in Bihar where only 50% of voters got inked. Tripura recorded the highest turnout at 81.8%.
Sending strong message to Naxals, Mandavi's family cast their votes
Meanwhile, reinstating faith in democracy, BJP legislator Bhima Mandavi's family set an example for all and sundry. To recall, he was killed in a Maoist attack on Tuesday, two days before polls. Mere 48 hours after his brutal death, his wife Ojaswi came to a booth to cast her vote. She was accompanied by her aged in-laws and six other family members.
This is a true tribute to Bhima Mandavi, said wife
"The entire family stands by me in this hour of crisis. All the voters in our family came together to cast their ballot. It's a true tribute to Bhima Mandavi. I will work to fulfill his unfinished tasks," Ojaswi told TOI.
Locals turned out to vote for Mandavi
Notably, Mandavi's untimely death didn't only impact his family but had a deep effect on locals as well. A woman, who came to a booth in Naxal-hit Dantewada to cast her vote, said Mandavi lost his life for democracy and the least she can do is vote. Another elderly woman said the murder was terrifying but people will not stay quiet anymore.
