Lok Sabha Elections: Over 59% voter turnout in phase 6, West Bengal leads with 78%.

Millions of Indians participated in the penultimate phase of the Lok Sabha election, enduring scorching heat waves in several parts of the country. The sixth phase of the election took place in 58 constituencies across six states and two Union territories, recording a voter turnout of 59.12 percent. West Bengal had the highest polling percentage with over 78 percent voter turnout, while Bihar and Uttar Pradesh saw slower voting with turnouts of 53.19 percent and 54.03 percent, respectively. Delhi, Haryana, Odisha, and Jharkhand recorded turnouts of 54.37 percent, 58.24 percent, 59.92 percent, and 62.66 percent, respectively.

The Anantnag-Rajouri Lok Sabha constituency in Jammu and Kashmir witnessed over 51 percent polling, the highest since the start of militancy in Kashmir in 1989. The Surankote Assembly segment had the highest turnout at 68.56 percent, followed by Rajouri with 67.09 percent. However, the voter turnout in Anantnag, Anantnag West, and Kulgam Assembly segments was below 35 percent.

Experts have speculated that the extreme temperatures may have impacted voter turnout in this election. The heatwave in parts of northern India, including Delhi and Haryana, raised concerns that voters might be discouraged from going to the polls and standing in long queues. However, despite the hot weather, voters showed enthusiasm and were seen patiently queuing up to cast their votes across the country.

Sporadic incidents of violence were reported from some areas in the eight Lok Sabha constituencies of West Bengal. Out of the eight seats, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won five, while the Trinamool Congress (TMC) won three in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.

In Jharkhand, a voter turnout of 62.16 percent was recorded in the four Lok Sabha constituencies of Giridih, Dhanbad, Ranchi, and Jamshedpur. Jamshedpur had the highest turnout at 66.79 percent, followed by Giridih (65.44 percent), Dhanbad (58.90 percent), and Ranchi (58.80 percent). In Bihar, 52.80 percent of the eligible voters cast their votes in eight Lok Sabha constituencies. Paschim Champaran recorded the highest polling at 56.96 percent, followed by Vaishali (56.11 percent), Purvi Champaran (55.80 percent), Valmiki Nagar (54.81 percent), Sheohar (54.37 percent), Maharajganj (49.15 percent), Gopalganj (48.71 percent), and Siwan (47.49 percent). Odisha reported a 59.72 percent voter turnout in six Lok Sabha constituencies and 42 assembly segments.

These numbers are provisional, and the final voter turnout is expected to increase slightly. The remaining 57 seats will go to polls on June 1, and the votes will be counted on June 4. The Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government is expected to return to power, becoming the only non-Congress government to do so in Indian political history.

In conclusion, millions of Indians voted in the penultimate phase of the Lok Sabha election, with varying voter turnouts across different states and constituencies. Despite the scorching heat, voters showed enthusiasm and patiently waited in long queues to cast their votes. The final voter turnout is expected to increase slightly, and the election results will be announced on June 4.