Lok Sabha Election Highlights: Voting concludes in Phase 6; over 57% voter turnout recorded till 5 pm

Your complete guide to Lok Sabha polls Phase 6

The long dance of democracy resumes today. Scheduled to be conducted over the course of two months, starting from April 19 to June 1, this will be the second last phase of polling, with results to be declared on June 4. Phase 6 will see 58 constituencies participate in voting.

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All 7 Delhi seats to see intense fight between BJP and Cong-AAP combo

The densely-populated Chandni Chowk seat, the prestigious New Delhi seat which has sent stalwarts like Atal Bihari Vajpayee and L K Advani to the Parliament and the riot-hit Northeast Delhi—these are three of the seven seats in the Capital which will be keenly watched among the 58 seats which are going to polls in the sixth phase.

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Maneka Gandhi ploughs a lonely furrow in Sultanpur

Locked in a tough contest and looking to enter the Lok Sabha for the ninth time, former union minister and senior BJP leader Maneka Gandhi appears to be ploughing a lonely furrow in Sultanpur Lok Sabha constituency.

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Preparations for voting underway at a polling booth in Keshpur, West Bengal

West Bengal's 8 constituencies will undergo polling in the 6th phase of the 2024 general elections.

Jharkhand's 4 constituencies will undergo polling in 6th phase of general elections

Preparations, mock polls underway at a polling booth in Kanthi, West Bengal

Visuals from a polling booth in Sirsa, Haryana

J&K's Anantnag-Rajouri constituency will go to polls today

'Dakshin mein BJP saaf aur Uttar mein half': Congress leader Jairam Ramesh

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh says, "5 phases of elections have been held... It became clear after the first 2 phases that 'Dakshin mein BJP saaf aur Uttar mein half', so the I.N.D.I.A. bloc will get a clear and decisive mandate on 4th June and on the 4th the country will bid him (PM Modi) goodbye... I have full confidence that our alliance will win all seven seats in Delhi..."

via ANI

Watch: People queue up outside a polling booth in Ranchi to cast their votes

Visuals of a model polling booth from UP's Sultanpur

BJP candidate from Karnal, Manohar Lal Khattar, casts his vote

PM Modi urges women and youth voters to vote in large numbers

Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini casts his vote

Come out in large numbers, urges Jaishankar after casting his vote

Watch | Jammu and Kashmir BJP President casts his vote

This time you need a 'sevak' not a politician: Wife of gangster-politician late Mohammad Shahabuddin

Hena Shahab is contesting as an independent from Siwan, and said "I appeal to everyone that this time you need a 'Sevak' not a politician. Everyone will accept me and this time I will get a chance..." (ANI)

Modi never says anything without calculation. If he had said that NDA will get 400 seats, then it will happen: Sambit Patra

Patra landed the party in some trouble in Odisha a few days back commenting that Lord Jagannath was Modi's devotee, a remark which drew flak from the state's CM Naveen Patnaik. Following this, Patra clarified it was a slip of tongue and reportedly went on a fast for three days as penance for his remark.

On what issues is Congress & BJP fighting?: Lok Dal's Abhay Singh Chautala

Meanwhile in Delhi...

> Gautam Gambhir has cast his vote and urged others to come out in large numbers

> AAP's Atishi has arrived to cast her vote

> Arvind Kejriwal's father, who was about to be questioned in the Swati Maliwal assault case, has prayed to God to 'keep us all safe'

Track the latest news as Delhi votes in Lok Sabha polls here

Heard earlier voting percentage was less in Jamshedpur, hope it's better this time: MD of Tata Steel, T V Narendran

"It is our responsibility and duty to vote. We have heard earlier that the voting percentage was less last time in Jamshedpur, Jharkhand. I hope it will get better this time and there will be more people who will come and vote" (PTI)

TMC alleges vote rigging by BJP, shares image of EVM with party tag on it

Election Commission clarifies

While commissioning, common address tags were signed by the Candidates and their agents present. And since only BJP Candidate's representative was present during that time in the commissioning hall, his signature was taken during commissioning of that EVM and VVPAT.

However, signature of all the agents present in PS No 56,58, 60, 61,62 was obtained during Poll. All the ECI norms were duly followed during commissioning was done entirely under CCTV coverage and was duly videographed.

Watch | PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti protests with party leaders and workers

"Our PDP polling agents are being targeted and being arrested. We are asking the reason but they aren’t saying anything. If they are so afraid of me going to the Parliament, then LG sir should tell me not to fight elections," Mufti said. (PTI)

EVM glitch in booth number 77 in Puri, Odisha

"Machine (EVM) is not working. Higher authorities have been contacted. It's a long process. Mock polling will be done again before actual voting starts again. It will take time. People are disappointed a bit and returned home, they will come again", says Returning Officer Lopa Mudra

Watch | NC leader Sakina Yatoo casts her vote

Watch | Aparajita Sarangi, BJP candidate from Bhubaneshwar, casts her vote

Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh Narayan Singh cast his vote at a Ranchi polling station

Harivansh Narayan Singh

Now in Delhi -

President Droupadi Murmu, AAP's Saurabh Bharadwaj, and Robert and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's children Raihan Rajiv and Miraya cast their votes

Track the latest from Delhi's Lok Sabha Elections here

Watch | JJP leader Ajay Chautala and Naina Singh Chautala party candidate from Hisar their votes at a polling booth in Sirsa, Haryana

People are excited and have faith in the BJP, says BJP candidate Naveen Jindal from Kurukshetra

BJP candidate Naveen Jindal.

Party workers bombed throughout the night by police officers, claims BJP candidate from Ghatal, Hiran Chatterjee

Maneka Gandhi claims 'smaller issues at 2-3 places with EVMs'

"There are smaller issues at 2-3 places in EVMs, a few of the polling officers are not well trained and even a few of our agents are unaware. It's a hit-and-miss process...," the sitting BJP MP from Sultanpur said. (ANI)

Odisha CM casts vote; expects 'great' victory for BJD in Lok Sabha and Assembly elections

Very happy we are under democracy: Kapil Dev after casting his vote

The former cricketer added that what voters can do by picking the 'right' person from their constituency is 'more important' than what the government can do. (ANI)

West Bengal records 16.64% voter turnout till 9 am, Uttar Pradesh at 12.33%

Police stop convoy of BJP's Medinipur candidate Agnimitra Paul; 'trying to slow down my movement', she claims

10.82% voter turnout recorded till 9 am, in the 6th phase of elections

Watch | Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya casts vote

Watch | Congress' Bhupinder Singh Hppda casts vote

Voted to bring back Pakistan-occupied Kashmir: BJP's Suvendu Adhikari

Former Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren's wife casts vote, urges all to 'fulfil responsibility'

This election between Modi who works 24*7 and I.N.D.I.A. bloc that does not have work: PM in Bihar

Narendra Modi

I.N.D.I.A. bloc has plan for five PMs in five years, he said, adding the bloc's parties worked to fulfil their own interests.

He also thundered in an apparent jibe at Lalu Prasad Yadav that RJD's 'lantern' only brings light to one house, while the rest of Bihar remains dark.

Watch | M S Dhoni arrives to cast his vote

Muslims given OBC status...to benefit INDI alliance's vote jihad, says Modi after claims of not stoking Hindu-Muslim divide

BJP President J P Nadda has already received a notice from the Election Commission urging that the party's campaigners should not campaign on religious lines. Modi, earlier, had claimed that if he stoked the Hindu-Muslim divide, he would be unworthy of 'public life'.

Those in seventh phase have responsibility to ensure PM Modi crosses 400: Amit Shah

Even if INDI alliance wants to perform 'mujra' I'm standing strong with SC, ST, OBC reservation: Modi

"..For Modi constitution is most important...If the INDI alliance wants to do slavery vote bank or even perform 'Mujra', it does not matter to me. I am standing strong with the SC, ST, OBC reservation...," he said in Bihar.

39.13% voter turnout recorded till 1 pm

Modi is not scared of anyone, whoever is corrupt will go behind bars: PM at poll rally in Bihar's Karakat

Congress, RJD running out of steam, hence trying to show Pakistan as dangerous: Modi in Bihar

Congress fighting to save people, Constitution of India: Party chief Mallikarjun Kharge at poll rally in Himachal Pradesh's Rohru

Lok Sabha Polls Phase 6 | In Pics

'Thala for a reason': M S Dhoni casts his ballot in Ranchi

Former Indian cricket team captain MS Dhoni went to cast his vote in his hometown Ranchi in the sixth phase of Lok Sabha Elections on Saturday.

Here's what Home Minister Amit Shah said at poll rally in Himachal Pradesh's Kangra

"Development is the habit of BJP. Congress leaders scare us by saying don't talk about PoK, Pakistan has atom bombs. Today, I am saying it from the land of Kangra - Rahul Baba, we are workers of Modi Ji and we are not afraid of atom bombs. PoK is and will remain India's and we will take it," Union Home Minister Amit Shah said.

Here's what UP CM Yogi Adityanath said at poll rally in public meeting in Chandauli

"400 paar ka nara sunte hi Samajwadi party ke log chaaro khaane chitt ho jaate hain' as they know that them contesting the election has no meaning... They ask the people how the BJP will cross the 400 mark and then the people say 'Jo Ram ko laaye hain, hum unko laayenge'... the people say 'Rambhakt hi raaj karega Dilli ki sinhasan pe'...," the UP CM said.

SP's Ambedkar Nagar LS seat candidate has been put under house arrest, alleges Akhilesh Yadav

Samajwadi Party alleged that SP's Ambedkar Nagar Lok Sabha constituency candidate Lalji Verma has been put under house arrest at the behest of the ruling BJP, news agency PTI reported on Saturday.

"Police was sent to raid the house of SP's winning Ambedkar Nagar candidate Shri Lalji Verma but the police was not supposed to find anything and they did not find anything. This is an attempt to tarnish the honest image of Shri Lalji Verma. Highly condemnable! This is the frustration of the losing BJP," SP chief Akhilesh Yadav posted on X.

Former bureaucrats shoot off letter to EC over 'hate speech' by BJP leaders, lament delay in action despite complaints

Around 100 former civil servants on Saturday asked the Election Commission to publicly explain why there is little action against hate speech by BJP leaders and the exact number of votes cast is not disclosed, while accusing the poll body of being “reluctant” to discharge its duties.

The letter signed by members of the non-political Constitutional Conduct Group (CCG) also asked the EC to take steps for the safe custody of the EVM machines in the run up to the counting of votes on June 4 and returning officers need to commit themselves to announcing the results without any delay.

Read the full report by DH's Shemin Joy here.

PM Modi takes a dig at Akhilesh Yadav, Tejashwi Yadav & Rahul Gandhi at Bihar poll rally

Speaking at a poll rally in Bihar's Buxar, PM Modi said, "Shehzada of Bihar will now look after 'zamaanat and amaanat' (bail and bail related matters) and handle it...Congress 'Shehzada' has also started preparing for the holidays and the Shehzada of UP has probably got a shock. He was saying yesterday that Modi is going to lose the election in Banaras... He also said that the INDI alliance is going to win all 80 seats in UP... Even his party people were laughing after hearing this..."

--With ANI inputs

Here's the voter turnout figures at 3 pm

The overall voter turnout at 3 am was recorded at 49.2 per cent.

Here's a statewise breakdown as polling continues in six states and two UTs.

• Bihar- 45.21%

• Haryana- 46.26%

• Jammu & Kashmir- 44.41%

• Jharkhand- 54.34%

• Delhi- 44.58%

• Odisha- 48.44%

• Uttar Pradesh-43.95% (Lowest)

• West Bengal- 70.19% (Highest)

This election is people vs Modi: Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge

Addresing presspersons in Himachal Pradesh, Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge said, "This election is people vs Modi, people vs. BJP, and people vs. RSS. People are fighting for us and themselves. There is a high possibility of our victory. This is why I said earlier that on 4 June, INDIA alliance will form a government."

With ANI inputs

Watch | Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud casts his vote

EC releases LS seat-wise data on number of votes cast in first five phases

The Election Commission on Saturday came out with Lok Sabha constituency-wise data on the number of votes cast in the first five phases of the elections and asserted that there is a pattern in creating false narratives and mischievous design to vitiate the electoral process.

It said that any alteration in the number of votes polled is not possible.

The poll panel came out with the absolute number of voters on its own a day after the Supreme Court refused to issue directions to it on an NGO's plea for uploading polling booth-wise voter turnout data on its website.

--With PTI Inputs

Over 70% votes polled in 8 LS seats of West Bengal till 3 pm

West Bengal registered a voter turnout of 70.19 per cent till 3 pm in eight Lok Sabha constituencies that went to polls in the sixth phase on Saturday, an official said.

Bishnupur (SC) recorded the highest polling at 73.55 per cent, followed by Jhargram (ST) (72.26 per cent), Tamluk (71.63 per cent), Kanthi (71.36 per cent), Ghatal (71.34 per cent), Medinipur (67.91 per cent), Bankura (67.41 per cent) and Purulia (66.06 per cent), PTI reported on Saturday.

Here's the voter turnout figures at 5 pm

The overall voter turnout at 5 am was recorded at 57.7 per cent.

Here's a statewise breakdown as polling continues in six states and two UTs.

• Bihar- 52.24%

• Haryana- 55.93%

• Jammu & Kashmir- 51.35%

• Jharkhand- 61.41%

• Delhi- 53.73%

• Odisha- 59.60%

• Uttar Pradesh-52.02% (Lowest)

• West Bengal- 77.99% (Highest)

Odisha logs around 60% voter turnout till 5 pm in 6 LS seats, 42 assembly segments

Odisha recorded 59.60 per cent voter turnout till 5 pm in the six Lok Sabha constituencies and 42 assembly segments on Saturday, officials said.

Odisha's chief electoral officer N B Dhal said voting was peaceful so far in the 10,581 polling stations, barring some reports of EVM glitches.

Till 5 pm, 59.60 per cent of the over 94.48 lakh electorate exercised their franchise, officials said, adding that the highest 65.91 per cent voting was recorded in Sambalpur Lok Sabha seat followed by Keonjhar (62.43 pc), Puri (61.17 pc), Dhenkanal (60.88 pc), Cuttack (54.36 pc) and Bhubaneswar (53.54 pc).

--With PTI Inputs.

EVMs being sealed at polling booth in East Champara

EVMs being sealed at polling booth in Bihar's Sheohar

Seat-wise voter turnout released, Assam's Dhubri sees maximum votes cast

The Election Commission finally released the actual count of votes cast in the first five phases of Lok Sabha elections, which showed that 66.39 per cent or 50.72 crore of 76.4 crore people have exercised their franchise

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