Election 2024 phase 1

The first phase of India's national election is set to begin on April 19, marking the start of the world's largest democratic exercise. Over 900 million registered voters will use electronic voting machines over 44 days to choose representatives for the 543 seats in the Lok Sabha, India’s lower house of parliament.

In this phase, 102 constituencies across 21 states and union territories will vote, including key regions like Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Maharashtra. Among the notable constituencies voting on April 19 are Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu, where Prime Minister Modi's BJP aims for a breakthrough, and Nagpur in Maharashtra, where senior BJP leader Nitin Gadkari is contesting.

Another significant area is Manipur, where elections are held amidst ethnic tensions between the Meitei and Kuki communities. Muzaffarnagar in Uttar Pradesh, known for anti-Muslim riots in 2013, is also voting, reflecting the BJP's strategy to consolidate Hindu votes.

Voting will take place from 7 am to 6 pm local time, with voters in queue by closing time allowed to cast their ballots. The ruling parties vary across the states voting in this phase, with Tamil Nadu governed by an alliance led by the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and BJP ruling in several states including Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan.

In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) won 45 of the 102 seats voting in this phase, while the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) won 42 seats. Notably, in Tamil Nadu, the NDA alliance secured one seat while the UPA won the majority.

The second phase of voting will occur on April 26. Overall, these elections mark a crucial moment in Indian democracy, with diverse regional and national parties vying for power and millions of citizens participating in the democratic process.