The seventh and final phase of the Lok Sabha Elections 2024 marks the culmination of an extensive and robust electoral process. This phase is critical, as it includes the remaining constituencies across various states, wrapping up the voting process that began several weeks earlier. Here’s a detailed look at what Phase 7 entails, its significance, and the key factors to watch as India concludes this monumental democratic exercise.
- Date: June 1, 2024
- States/Union Territories Involved:
- Punjab
- Himachal Pradesh
- Uttar Pradesh
- Bihar
- Jharkhand
- West Bengal
- Odisha
- Number of Parliamentary Constituencies: 57
- General Seats: 41
- Scheduled Tribe (ST) Seats: 3
- Scheduled Caste (SC) Seats: 13
- Voting Timings:
- Polling begins at 7:00 AM
- Closure of poll timings may differ by Parliamentary Constituency (PC)
Voter Turnout and Significance
- The seventh phase witnesses citizens exercising their democratic right across these states and UTs.
- Voter turnout plays a crucial role in shaping the electoral outcome.
- As the last phase of the Lok Sabha Elections, it marks the grand finale of this electoral journey.
Phase 7 Facts:
- Polling for Phase-7 of the General Elections 2024 will be held on 1st of June, 2024 for 57 Parliamentary Constituencies (General- 41; ST- 03; SC-13) in 8 States/ UTs. Although Voting begins at 7 AM and closure of poll timings may differ PC wise.
- 42 Assembly Constituencies (Gen=27;ST=06;SC=09) of Odisha Legislative Assembly will also go to polls simultaneously.
- Around 10.9 lakh Polling officials will welcome over 10.06 crore electors across ~1.09 lakh polling stations.
- Over 10.06 crore electors include approx. 5.24 crore Male; 4.82 crore Female and 3574 Third gender electors.
- The optional Home Voting facility is available to 85+ and PwD electors.
Another Facts of phase 7
- 13 Special trains and 8 helicopter sorties (for Himachal Pradesh) were deployed to ferry polling and security personnel.
- 172 Observers (64 General Observers, 32 Police Observers, 76 Expenditure Observers) have already reached their Constituencies days before the poll. They serve as the eyes and ears of the Commission to exercise utmost vigilance. Additionally, Special Observers have been deployed in certain states.
- A total of 2707 Flying Squads, 2799 Static Surveillance Teams, 1080 Surveillance Teams and also 560 Video Viewing Teams are keeping surveillance round the clock to strictly and swiftly deal with any form of inducement of voters.
- A total of 201 international Border check posts and also 906 inter-state border check posts are keeping strict vigil on any illicit flow of liquor, drugs, cash and freebies. Strict surveillance has been kept at sea and air routes.
- Voters can check their polling station details, and poll date through this link https://electoralsearch.eci.gov.in/.
- The Commission has also provided 12 alternative documents other than Voter id card (EPIC) for identity verification at polling stations. If a voter is register in the electoral roll, voting can be done by showing any of these documents. Link to ECI order for alternative identification documents: https://tinyurl.com/43thfhm9.
- Parliamentary Constituency wise electors for phase 6 were release vide press note no. 109 date May 28.05 2024 https://tinyurl.com/2zxn25st
- Data on Voter Turnout in General Elections to Lok Sabha 2019 is available on the following links: https://old.eci.gov.in/files/file/13579-13-pc-wisevoters-turn-out/.
- Voter turnout App displays overall approximate turnout live for each phase. It is pertinent to note that Phase wise/State wise/AC wise/PC wise approximate turnout data is available on voter turnout App live on two hourly basis on poll day till 7 pm after which it is continuously updated on arrival of polling parties.
- Trends of voter turnout- Phase wise, State-wise, Parliamentary constituency wise (with turnout within Assembly Constituencies within that PC) may be continuously visible at Voter Turnout app, that can be download from the below links:
- Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=in.gov.eci.pollturnout&hl=en_IN&pli=1
- iOS: https://apps.apple.com/in/app/voter-turnout-app/id1536366882
Conclusion
The seventh phase of the Lok Sabha Elections 2024 is the final chapter in a long and also complex electoral journey. As voters head to the polls for the last time in this election cycle, the nation watches with bated breath to see how the political landscape will be shaped. The decisions made in this phase will be pivotal, not only for the constituencies involved but for the entire country. Stay tuned for comprehensive coverage and also analysis as the final phase of voting unfolds and India steps closer to determining its next government.