On Saturday, the curtains fell on the largest electoral exercise in the world as polling for the final and
seventh phase of the 18th Lok Sabha elections concluded. This marks the end of an extensive democratic process where over 900 million eligible voters had the opportunity to elect 543 representatives for the Lok Sabha. The counting of votes is scheduled for June 4, 2024.
Exit Polls Predict a Landslide Victory for NDA
Exit polls have consistently indicated a resounding victory for the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), with some predicting the NDA could surpass its 2019 tally of 352 seats. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is poised to become the first prime minister since Jawaharlal Nehru to secure three consecutive terms. The BJP’s seat count could potentially exceed 350, while the main opposition, Congress, is predicted to struggle, possibly securing fewer than 75 seats.
Phase-7 Voter Turnout and Key Constituencies
The seventh phase saw an approximate voter turnout of 59.45% as of 8:45 PM, with figures expected to be updated further. The Election Commission’s Voter Turnout app reported a national turnout of 61.9% by 11:50 PM, though official confirmation from the Commission is awaited. Notable states and union territories participating in this phase included Bihar, Chandigarh, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Odisha, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal. Key constituencies like Varanasi, Gorakhpur, Maharajganj, Chandauli, and Mirzapur experienced a slight decline in voter turnout compared to 2019.
The state-wise approximate voter turnout at 11:45 pm is as below:
| Sl. No. | State / UT | No. PCs | Approximate Voter Turnout % |
| 1 | Bihar | 8 | 51.92 |
| 2 | Chandigarh | 1 | 67.9 |
| 3 | Himachal Pradesh | 4 | 69.67 |
| 4 | Jharkhand | 3 | 70.66 |
| 5 | Odisha | 6 | 70.67 |
| 6 | Punjab | 13 | 58.33 |
| 7 | Uttar Pradesh | 13 | 55.59 |
| 8 | West Bengal | 9 | 73.36 |
| Above 8 States/UTs | 57 | 61.63 | |
(Source: ECI: The data displayed here is the information the field officer fills out by the systems. This is an approximate trend, as data from some polling stations (PS) takes time, and this trend does not include Postal Ballot. The final actual account of votes recorded for each PS is shared in Form 17 C with all Polling agents at the close of polls)
Regional Highlights and Voter Turnout
Significant strides were made in increasing women’s participation, particularly notable in the fifth and sixth phases, where female voter turnout surpassed that of males. Jammu and Kashmir recorded their highest voter turnout in 35 years, at 58.58%, with the Kashmir Valley seeing a remarkable increase of over 30 percentage points from previous elections.
In the Left-Wing Extremism (LWE) affected Bastar region, voter turnout was a remarkable 68.29% with no incidents of violence, showcasing the triumph of democracy over intimidation. Similarly, in Surguja, Chhattisgarh, significant voter participation was noted among the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs). The Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep also reported high voter turnouts, demonstrating strong democratic engagement even in remote regions.
Counting Day Preparations: In addition to the Lok Sabha elections, polling for the State Legislative Assemblies of Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Andhra Pradesh, and Odisha was also completed. Votes for these state elections will be counted on June 2 and June 4, 2024.
Preparations for counting day are underway, with the Chief Election Commissioner and other officials reviewing arrangements to ensure a smooth process. Results will be available on the ECI website and the Voter Helpline App, providing real-time updates on the electoral outcomes.
The successful completion of the 18th Lok Sabha elections is a testament to the resilience and robustness of Indian democracy. The Lok Sabha elections of 2024 have once again highlighted the strength of India’s democratic framework. As the nation awaits the counting of votes and the final results, the real victor of this electoral exercise remains the Indian voter, whose participation and trust in the democratic process continue to drive the world’s largest democracy forward.
