Brisk polling marks the onset of the second phase of Lok Sabha elections across India today. Tripura leads with a 16.65% turnout by 9 a.m., while Maharashtra records the lowest. Notable figures like Rahul Gandhi, Shashi Tharoor, Rajeev Chandrasekhar, and Hema Malini vie for seats in the ongoing electoral battle.
Voting commenced in 88 constituencies across 13 states, with nearly 16 crore voters expected to cast their ballots across 1.67 lakh polling stations. A total of 1,202 candidates, including 1,098 male, 102 female, and two transgender contestants, are in contention.
The electoral landscape spans 20 parliamentary seats in Kerala, 14 in Karnataka, 13 in Rajasthan, eight each in Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh, and more. However, Madhya Pradesh’s Betul will vote in the third phase on May 7 due to the demise of Bahujan Samaj Party candidate Ashok Balawi.
High-profile candidates such as Rahul Gandhi, Shashi Tharoor, Rajeev Chandrasekhar, Hema Malini, and Arun Govil are among those seeking voters’ support.
In the backdrop, the Election Commission’s notices to BJP chief J. P. Nadda and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge regarding alleged poll code violations add intrigue to the electoral narrative. Kharge also reached out to PM Modi, offering to clarify misunderstandings over the Congress manifesto.
Stay updated with live coverage from Kerala and Karnataka as the polling unfolds.
