Key Candidates in Penultimate Lok Sabha Election Phase

Voting for the penultimate phase of the Lok Sabha elections began at 7 a.m. on Saturday, encompassing 58 constituencies spread across eight states and Union Territories. Over 11 crore voters are expected to cast their ballots, determining the fate of 889 candidates vying for seats in the parliament. The voting process is currently ongoing in regions including Haryana, Delhi, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, and Jammu and Kashmir. Simultaneously, polling for 42 seats of the Odisha Assembly is also in progress.

Among the notable candidates in this phase are Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, former Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, Bansuri Swaraj (daughter of late Union Minister Sushma Swaraj), Maneka Gandhi, and Abhijit Gangophadhyay. The list also includes prominent figures like Kumari Selja, Raj Babbar, Kanhaiya Kumar, Mehbooba Mufti, Dharmendra Yadav, and Deepak 'Dev' Adhikari.

The Election Commission has mobilized 11.4 lakh polling officials to support the 11.13 crore voters, comprising 5.84 crore males, 5.29 crore females, and 5,120 third-gender individuals, across 1.14 lakh polling stations. Special provisions have been made to address the challenges posed by hot weather conditions, such as providing shade, water facilities, toilets, volunteers, and wheelchairs.

Voters are urged to actively participate, particularly in urban areas like Delhi, Gurugram, and Faridabad, to counter urban apathy towards voting. With the conclusion of this phase, Delhi, Haryana, and Jammu and Kashmir will join the 25 states and Union Territories where polling has already been completed in the preceding five phases, bringing the total number of contested constituencies to 486.

The ongoing Lok Sabha elections have witnessed significant voter turnout and engagement, reflecting the democratic spirit of the nation. As the electoral process progresses, it is crucial for citizens to exercise their right to vote responsibly and contribute to shaping the future of the country. Stay tuned for further updates as the election journey continues.