One hundred and seventeen Lok Sabha seats across 13 states and two Union Territories are going to polls in the third phase of the 2019 General Elections. In the first two phases, polling was held to 91 and 95 seats on April 11 and April 18.
Of the seven phases, this is the largest polling phase. Voting is taking place for all 26 constituencies in Gujarat, all 20 seats in Kerala, 14 each in Maharashtra and Karnataka, 10 in Uttar Pradesh, seven in Chhattisgarh, six in Odisha, five each in Bihar and West Bengal, four in Assam, two in Goa, one each in Jammu and Kashmir, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu and Tripura.
Polling in the Tripura East Lok Sabha seat, which was postponed due to law and order considerations, will also be held today. By-polls in four Assembly seats in Gujarat are also underway.
6.10 pm
So far 61.31 per cent voter turnout has been reported in the third phase of 2019 General Elections.
Estimated voter turnout till now for the 3rd phase of the #LokSabhaElections2019 is 61.31%. Voting for 116 parliamentary constituencies across 13 states and 2 union territories is being held today. pic.twitter.com/BhPmIG44yK
— ANI (@ANI) April 23, 2019
6 pm
Bharatiya Janata Party candidate for 2019 Lok Sabha elections, Gautam Gambhir, has filed his nomination papers. Gambhir will be contesting from the East Delhi parliamentary constituency.
Earlier, Gambhir had joined the party in the presence of Union ministers Arun Jaitley and Ravi Shankar Prasad in New Delhi. He had said he had been “influenced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his vision”.
Delhi: BJP’s Gautam Gambhir files his nomination for the East Delhi parliamentary constituency. #LokSabhaElections2019 pic.twitter.com/mGsVXToS8w
— ANI (@ANI) April 23, 2019
5.27 pm
In Kerala’s Thiruvananthapuram, a voter has been arrested for allegedly making a false complaint about malfunctioning of polling machine. According to ANI, Abin Babu, a voter at booth no 151 in Vattiyoorkavuhad, had alleged that the VVPAT machine had displayed his vote going to another candidate, not to the one he voted for.
5.18 pm
A polling booth was set up in Gujarat’s Gir Forest to ensure polling for a single voter. ANI reported the voter, Bharatdas Bapu, as saying, “The government spends money for this polling booth for one vote. I’ve voted and it’s 100 per cent voter turnout here. For 100 per cent voter turnout everywhere, I request all to go and vote.”
Gujarat: A polling booth in Gir Forest has been set up for 1 voter in Junagadh. Voter Bharatdas Bapu says, “Govt spends money for this polling booth for 1 vote. I’ve voted and it’s 100% voter turnout here. For 100% voter turnout everywhere, I request all to go & vote.” #LokSabhaElections2019 pic.twitter.com/N0xYNKSK0S
— ANI (@ANI) April 23, 2019
5.05 pm
The voter turnout for phase 3 of 2019 general elections has crossed the half-way mark, the Election Commission stated.
4.41 pm
After a mini road show in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, earlier today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also held a rally in Asansol. Addressing the gathering, Modi said: “Before 2014, the Congress government had made a record of corruption. Today, the TMC government is giving tough competition to the Congress. Corruption and crime are non-stop under TMC rule. And ‘speed-breaker Didi’ (Mamata Banerjee) is also there.”
Taking another jibe at West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Modi said: “Today TMC’s condition has become such that people are not turning up for their rallies, they are forced to call actors from abroad. I feel pity for you didi, look what the brave people of Bengal have done to you.”
Meanwhile, the Congress party will be approaching the Election Commission to complain about Modi roadshow, among other things.
.@INCIndia going to EC at 5:30pm to complain about @narendramodi‘s roadshow, @AmitShah‘s comment that IAF is “Modi ki vayu Sena”, and malfunctioning EVMs in Kerala @htTweets
— amrita madhukalya (@visually_kei) April 23, 2019
4.30 pm
There’s been much speculation over Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra’s candidacy. Speaking to ANI, Congress leader Ahmed Patel said, “She herself said that she’ll definitely contest if the party asks her to. Party will soon take a decision on it. Congress President will decide after consulting others.”
Senior Congress leader Ahmed Patel on if Priyanka Gandhi Vadra would contest #LokSabhaElections2019 from Varanasi: She herself said that she’ll definitely contest if party asks her to. Party will soon take a decision on it. Congress President will decide after consulting others. pic.twitter.com/tEcNYRYXRd
— ANI (@ANI) April 23, 2019
3.57 pm
In another instance of polling-related violence, a polling agent in Kashmir’s Bijbehara polling station said he was beaten up as he had objected to bogus voting, NDTV reported.
3.31 pm
In Odisha, a polling official passed away at booth number 41 in Dhenkanal’s Kantapal village. The officer had collapsed while on duty.
Odisha: A polling official at booth number 41 in Kantapal village in Dhenkanal passes away, after collapsing while on duty. #LokSabhaElections2019 #OdishaElections2019
— ANI (@ANI) April 23, 2019
3.11 pm
In West Bengal, a man standing in a queue, awaiting his turn to vote, was killed in clashes between Congress and TMC workers in Baligram, Murshidabad, news agency ANI reported.
West Bengal: Man standing in a queue to vote killed in clashes between Congress and TMC workers in Baligram, Murshidabad. #LokSabhaElections2019pic.twitter.com/hkTc56cT7i
— ANI (@ANI) April 23, 2019
Meanwhile, in a separate incident, a Congress worker was stabbed to death in Murshidabad, NDTV reported. The party has blamed the governing Trinamool Congress party for the worker’s death.
3.10 pm
In Madhya Pradesh, BJP workers thrashed a Nationalist Congress Party worker for allegedly showing black flags to BJP’s Bhopal candidate Pragya Singh Thakur during her roadshow.
Madhya Pradesh: BJP workers thrashed an NCP worker at SDM office in Bhopal after he allegedly showed black flags to Pragya Singh Thakur, BJP LS candidate from Bhopal, during her roadshow. pic.twitter.com/WsbgIiThWD
— ANI (@ANI) April 23, 2019
2.51 pm
Gujarat state unit of Indian National Congress has written to the Chief Election Commissioner, New Delhi, asking for dismissal of Junagadh Member of Parliament and BJP candidate Rajesh Chudasama. The Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee has also asked for a criminal case to be lodged against the MP’s secretary, Raviraj Vyas. The Congress state unit has alleged that the MP’s secretary was caught with huge quantities of liquor, along with “unaccounted” cash.
The letter addressed to the CEC stated: “It seems that under influence of the party-in-power of state of Gujarat, the police authority initially did not register any complaint even though there was a serious offence disclosed before the authority…We are requesting to immediately direct the highest police authority to carry on the investigation by non-controversial and independent police officials.”
Raviraj Vyas, secretary of Junagadh MP and BJP candidate Rajesh Chudasama caught with huge quantity of liquor & Rs 30 cash. @INCGujarat writes to EC seeking to lodge a criminal case against him. @the_hindu pic.twitter.com/C1JqoFSN0n
— Mahesh Langa (@LangaMahesh) April 23, 2019
2.30 pm
Firstpost is reporting sporadic incidents of violence across West Bengal. In a video posted by the portal, a few men can be seen hurling country-made bombs. The incident reportedly took place at booth no 27 and 28 of Raninagar, Murshidabad in West Bengal.
More details and police confirmation of the incident are awaited.
#WATCH West Bengal: Unidentified men hurled a bomb near polling booth no-27,28 in Murshidabad’s Raninagar area. #LokSabhaElection2019 pic.twitter.com/9qUkhxBJ8Q
— ANI (@ANI) April 23, 2019
1.55 pm
Here are some visuals from Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, where BJP candidate Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur will be filing her nomination today. Before filing her nomination, Thakur sought blessings at Bhopal’s Bhawani temple.
In a rally outside the temple, amidst an applauding audience, Thakur denounced the state’s Congress government and swore to clean the stain of “bhagwa aatankwaad (saffron terror)”.
1.40 pm
A 66-year old voter, Mathai Chacko of Kerala’s Pezhumpara, collapsed on April 24 while waiting in queue to cast her vote.
Meanwhile, an elderly woman, identified as Thresiamma, 79, who was waiting to cast her vote collapsed and died at booth number 54 in Kanjoor, The Hindu reported.
1.30 pm
The Trinamool Congress has lodged a complaint with the sub-divisional officer. The TMC has alleged that in booths 166 and 167 in English Bazar area of Malda South constituency central forces were trying to influence voters to cast their votes in favour of the Bharatiya Janata Party candidate.
Earlier, in Uttar Pradesh’s Moradabad, BJP workers had alleged that an EC official was asking voters to press on the Samajwadi Party symbol.
In other news, as of 1.30 pm, the Election Commission is reporting a voter turnout of 37.89 per cent.
1 pm
The Congress party and the Aam Aadmi Party have raised concerns over faulty electronic voting machines (EVMs) in Goa. The parties have claimed that EVMs and VVPAT machines malfunctioned at some polling booths in Goa, the Hindustan Times reported.
Leader of Opposition in Goa Assembly Chandrakant Kavlekar was quoted as saying, “During mock polling, all votes were getting registered in the BJP’s name despite pressing buttons of other parties. I will be filing a complaint with the Election Commission. This is foul play by the BJP.”
Earlier, news agency ANI reported Goa Chief Electoral Officer as saying: “Entire set of EVMs has been replaced for AC 34, PS No 31.”
Goa Chief Electoral Officer: Entire set of EVMs has been replaced for AC 34, PS No 31 as per report from DEO South Goa.
— ANI (@ANI) April 23, 2019
12.25 pm
Actor Sunny Deol has joined the Bharatiya Janata Party in presence of Union Ministers Piyush Goyal and Nirmala Sitharaman. Deol was quoted as saying: “The way my Papa worked with and supported Atalji, I am here today to work with and support Modiji. My work will do the talking.”
Meanwhile, in Gujarat’s Viramgam, Congress leader Hardik Patel, after casting his vote, took a jibe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He said, “Chowkidaar dhoondhna hoga toh mein Nepal chala jaaunga, mujhe desh mein PM chahiye jo iss desh ke arthvyavastha ko, shiksha ko, yuvaon, jawanon ko mazboot kar sake. Mujhe chowkidar nahi pradhan mantri chahiye. (If I had needed a chowkidaar, I would have gone to Nepal. I need a prime minister who can strengthen the economy and the education sector, give jobs to youth and also work for the betterment of jawans. I need a prime minister and not a chowkidaar.)
Congress leader Hardik Patel after casting his vote in Viramgam,says “Chowkidaar dhoondhna hoga toh mein Nepal chala jaaunga, mujhe desh mein PM chahiye jo iss desh ke arthvyavastha ko, shiksha ko, yuvaon, jawanon ko mazboot kar sake. Mujhe chowkidar nahi pradhan mantri chahiye.” pic.twitter.com/dYGjy7S7YW
— ANI (@ANI) April 23, 2019
12.10 pm
According to an April 22 report, the Election Commission has seized ₹730.35 crore cash. The seizures that amount to a total of ₹3119 crore include seizure of ₹234.85 crore-worth liquor and ₹1169 crore-worth drugs/narcotics.
11.50 am
The Election Commission has lodged a first information report against Bharatiya Janata Party’s Bhopal candidate Sadhvi Pragya Thakur, the Economic Times reported. The FIR was lodged for her comments in a TV interview that she was among those who had razed the Babri Masjid as it was “a blot on the country “.
According to the report, the FIR has been lodged for violation of the model code and under Section 188 of Indian Penal Code which deals with disobedience to the order promulgated by a public servant.
11.35 am
National Democratic Alliance candidate from Kerala’s Wayanad, Thushar Vellappally, has demanded re-polling after an electronic voting machine (EVM) malfunctioned at one of the polling booths.
As many as 227 candidates are contesting the 20 Lok Sabha seats in Kerala. Of all the seats, Wayanad has received much attention given that Congress President Rahul Gandhi is contesting from this seat for the first time.
11.30 am
As of 11.30 am, the Election Commission is reporting 23.56 per cent voter turnout. So far, Jammu and Kashmir has registered the lowest voter turnout, 4.72 per cent.
Voter turnout in phase 1 and phase 2 was 69.45 per cent and 69.43 per cent respectively.
11.20 am
An election official in Uttar Pradesh’s Moradabad was beaten up by Bharatiya Janata Party workers. The BJP workers have alleged that the EC official was asking voters to press on the Samajwadi Party symbol.
#WATCH Moradabad: BJP workers beat an Election Official at booth number 231 alleging he was asking voters to press the ‘cycle’ symbol of Samajwadi party pic.twitter.com/FokdXCAJ1z
— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) April 23, 2019
11 am
As Kerala goes to polls today, a Congress party advertisement made it to the back page of Malayalam Manorama in Cochin. The full-page ad from the Congress alliance stating that “their rule has to end”. Describing various “scams” of the present government, the ad stated: “We need a government who knows us, who knows the problems of the commoners.”
Meanwhile, here’s an advertisement featuring PM Narendra Modi on the front-page of today’s Gujarat Samachar (Ahmedabad edition).
9 am
After casting his vote in Ahmedabad today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a mini road show and addressed the press. The PM displayed his inked finger and walked along with Amit Shah. There were chants of “Modi, Modi”, and BJP flags and banners along the road.
Giving a little speech of sorts, Modi said: “The weapon of terrorism is IED, the strength of democracy is a voter ID. I can say with certainty that the voter ID is more powerful than an IED, so we should understand the strength of our voter IDs.”
Modi also said: “Just as one feels after taking a dip in the holy river during the Kumbh Mela, I feel the same after voting….voters are wise. They know what is right and what is not.”
#WATCH PM Narendra Modi after casting his vote in Ahmedabad says, ” The weapon of terrorism is IED, the strength of democracy is voter ID.” #LokSabhaElections2019 pic.twitter.com/X0LBPI5qcu
— ANI (@ANI) April 23, 2019
8.30 am
The Election Commission on April 22 banned Punjab minister and Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu from campaigning for 72 hours. The EC order stated: “The Commission…strongly condemns the impugned statements made by him during election campaign held at Barsoi and Barari of Katihar District and censures…for the above misconduct.” Sidhu was banned for his appeal to Muslims to vote unitedly against Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the elections. The ban will come into force at 10 am today.
8 am
Voting at Bharatha Matha College, Ernakulam Lok Sabha constituency
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