Uttar Pradesh Lok Sabha Elections 2024 Conclude Peacefully, High Turnout Reported

Source: The Lok Sabha General Election 2024 concluded peacefully, marking the end of voting for 14 Lok Sabha constituencies and one assembly constituency by-election in Uttar Pradesh. Chief Electoral Officer of Uttar Pradesh, Navdeep Rinwa, announced in a press conference held at the Chief Electoral Officer's office that the voting process took place smoothly across the designated constituencies. The voting, which began at 07:00 am, concluded at 06:00 pm without any untoward incidents reported from anywhere in the state. The voting encompassed 14 Lok Sabha constituencies, namely 34-Mohanlalganj (SC), 35-Lucknow, 36-Rae Bareli, 37-Amethi, 45-Jalaun (SC), 46-Jhansi, 47-Hamirpur, 48-Banda, 49-Fatehpur, 50-Kaushambi (SC), 53-Barabanki (SC), 54-Faizabad, 57-Kaiserganj, and 59-Gonda, along with the assembly constituency 173-Lucknow East. These constituencies, spread across 21 districts including Lucknow, Rae Bareli, Amethi, Kanpur Dehat, Jhansi, Banda, Fatehpur, Barabanki, Ayodhya, Gonda, Bahraich, and Balrampur, witnessed active participation from voters. The Chief Electoral Officer reported an average voting percentage of 57.98% across the 14 Lok Sabha constituencies. Notable turnout percentages include 62.72% in 34-Mohanlalganj (SC), 58.04% in 36-Rae Bareli, and 63.70% in 46-Jhansi. To ensure transparency and fairness in the electoral process, webcasting was arranged at 14,984 polling places, while videography was conducted at 4,199 polling stations. Moreover, 21,907 voters exercised their right to vote through postal ballots, including elderly and disabled individuals, with arrangements made for home voting. The Election Commission deployed 14 general observers, 9 police observers, and 15 expenditure observers, along with numerous magistrates and micro-observers, to oversee the voting process diligently. Overall, the elections were conducted smoothly, with the prompt resolution of any complaints received, ensuring a peaceful and democratic electoral exercise. - Mohit Choudhary (The writer is sub-editor and digital executive at First India)