7 May 2024: In the third phase of the Lok Sabha elections, spanning across 93 constituencies in 11 States and Union Territory on Tuesday, the voter turnout reached approximately 40% during the initial six hours of polling. However, amidst the exercise of democratic rights, incidents of violence marred the process in West Bengal, while some villages in Uttar Pradesh witnessed poll boycotts.
Maharashtra recorded the lowest voting percentage at 31.55%, contrasting with West Bengal, which saw the highest turnout of almost 50%. Notably, the BJP secured victory in the Surat constituency in Gujarat unopposed.
This phase marked the conclusion of voting in Goa (2 seats), Gujarat (25 seats), Chhattisgarh (7 seats), and Karnataka (14 seats). Additionally, voting took place for two Lok Sabha seats in Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu. The remaining constituencies up for voting included 4 seats in Assam, 5 in Bihar, 8 in Madhya Pradesh, 11 in Maharashtra, 10 in Uttar Pradesh, and 4 in West Bengal. The polling date for the Anantnag-Rajouri Lok Sabha seat in Jammu and Kashmir was rescheduled to May 25 for phase 6.
Key candidates in this phase include Amit Shah (BJP) from Gandhinagar, Gujarat; Digvijaya Singh (Congress) from Rajgarh, Madhya Pradesh; Shivraj Singh Chouhan (BJP) from Vidisha, Madhya Pradesh; Dimple Yadav (Samajwadi Party) from Mainpuri, Uttar Pradesh; Supriya Sule (Nationalist Congress Party – Sharad Pawar) from Baramati, Maharashtra; Purshottam Rupala (BJP) from Rajkot, Gujarat; Jyotiraditya Scindia (BJP) from Guna, Madhya Pradesh; Pralhad Joshi (BJP) from Dharwad, Karnataka; and KS Eshwarappa (BJP) from Shimoga, Karnataka.
