Lok Sabha 2024: On Monday, May 20, voting for the fifth phase of the Lok Sabha elections 2024 is taking place, covering 49 seats across six states and two union territories (UTs). This phase includes key constituencies in Uttar Pradesh, which has a total of 80 Lok Sabha seats. Voters in high-profile areas such as Rae Bareli, Amethi, and Lucknow will determine the electoral fate of prominent candidates. Polling began at 7am and will conclude at 6pm.

On Monday, voting will also take place in 35 assembly constituencies in Odisha, where Biju Janata Dal president and chief minister Naveen Patnaik is among the candidates.

Of the 49 Lok Sabha constituencies being contested, 14 are in Uttar Pradesh, 13 in Maharashtra, 7 in West Bengal, 5 in Bihar, 3 in Jharkhand, 5 in Odisha, and one each in Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.

Key candidates in the fifth phase of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls include Rahul Gandhi of the Congress, BJP leaders Rajnath Singh, Smriti Irani, Rajiv Pratap Rudy, Piyush Goyal, Ujjwal Nikam, Karan Bhushan Singh, LJP (Ramvilas) chief Chirag Paswan, Jammu and Kashmir National Conference’s Omar Abdullah, and Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Rohini Acharya.

जनपद के नगरपालिका परिषद गोण्डा के कार्यालय परिसर में इको फ्रेंडली ग्रीन पोलिंग बूथ तैयार किया गया है।

मतदाताओं को सुखद अनुभव देने के साथ ही पृथ्वी को हरा बना बनाने का संदेश भी दिया जा रहा है।

आप भी मतदान अवश्य करें।#5thPhase #ECI #LokSabhaElection2024 @ceoup pic.twitter.com/3fq5pfQgYF

— DM Gonda (@dmgonda2) May 20, 2024

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 Phase 5: Top 10 Facts

1. Voter Demographics: More than 8.95 crore voters, including 4.69 crore males, 4.26 crore females, and 5,409 third-gender electors, will decide the fate of 695 candidates, according to the Election Commission of India.
2. Surveillance Measures: A total of 2,000 flying squads, 2,105 static surveillance teams, 881 video surveillance teams, and 502 video viewing teams are monitoring the 94,732 polling stations round the clock.
3. Border Vigilance: There are 216 international border check posts and 565 inter-state border check posts ensuring strict vigilance against the illicit flow of liquor, drugs, cash, and freebies.
4. Alternative Documents for Voting: The ECI has provided 12 alternative documents for identity verification at polling stations, in addition to voter ID cards (EPIC). Registered voters can vote by showing any of these documents.
5. Maharashtra Polling: Voting will take place in 13 Lok Sabha constituencies, including six in Mumbai. Notable BJP candidates include Piyush Goyal, Bharati Pawar (Dindori), Kapil Patil (Bhiwandi), and prominent lawyer Ujjwal Nikam (Mumbai North Central).
6. West Bengal Security: Due to sporadic violence in previous phases, security has been heightened. In the seven constituencies, over 57% of polling stations are identified as sensitive. More than 60,000 central forces and around 30,000 state police personnel are deployed.
7. Jammu and Kashmir: This phase marks the first major political contest post the abrogation of Article 370. Omar Abdullah, National Conference vice-president and former chief minister, is among the 21 candidates contesting in the Baramulla constituency.
8. Odisha Elections: Over 33,000 personnel are ensuring tight security for elections in five Lok Sabha and 35 assembly constituencies. There are 70.69 lakh eligible voters, including 40.33 lakh men, 39.35 lakh women, and 851 transgender persons, voting at 9,162 polling stations.
9. Bihar Contest: In Saran, Rohini Acharya, daughter of RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, is contesting against BJP MP Rajiv Pratap Rudy. In Hajipur, LJP (Ram Vilas) chief Chirag Paswan is aiming to continue his father Ram Vilas Paswan’s legacy against RJD’s Shiv Chandra Ram.
10. Voter Turnout: The fourth phase of the Lok Sabha polls on May 13 saw a voter turnout of 69.2%, the highest among the four phases so far.