Over 172 million voters will cast their votes in the third phase of the general elections, choosing their representatives across 93 constituencies. In the Surat constituency of Gujarat, the lone BJP candidate's uncontested victory eliminates the need for voting there.
More than 39,000 centenarian voters
Within these 93 constituencies, 72 are general, 11 are reserved for scheduled tribes, and 10 are reserved for scheduled castes. The polling process spans from 7 AM to 6 PM at 185,000 polling centers, where 172.4 million voters will exercise their democratic rights. Of these, 88.5 million are male and 83.9 million are female voters, including 39,599 who have lived for a century. An additional 1.44 million voters over the age of 85 have been granted the convenience of voting from home.
ORS to be available at polling centers
There are 4,303 flying squads supervising the voting, alongside 1,987 video surveillance teams. The Election Commission has updated its Voter Turnout app feature, which will consistently reflect the voting percentages for every state and constituency involved in today's third phase. With the expected heat, refreshments including Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS) will be provided at every polling station.
Bike service arrangements to get voters to booths
Tents are recommended at each booth to protect waiting voters from the harsh sun. Selfie points for young voters and ramps for the disabled have also been arranged. The Election Commission has introduced a free bike service in various locations to ferry voters to and from polling booths. Several bike service companies voluntarily offer their services. Observers from 75 countries are present to witness the third phase of voting.
Initially set for 94 seats, now voting occurs on 93—here's how:
The BJP candidate from Surat, Gujarat, Mukesh Dalal, was elected uncontested, leading the Election Commission to decide on conducting the voting for the Betul seat in Madhya Pradesh during this phase. Originally, the Betul seat's voting was postponed from the second phase. Additionally, the Anantnag-Rajouri seat in Jammu & Kashmir has been shifted to the sixth phase, scheduled for May 25th.
The initially planned third phase was for 94 seats, but now the final tally is set for 93 seats on May 7th.
Voting states/union territories: 11
Total constituencies: 94 +1 (Betul) = 95 -1 (Surat) = 94-1 (Anantnag-Rajouri) = 93
· SC: 10
· ST: 11
· General: 72
Total voters: 172.4 million
· Male: 88.5 million
· Female: 83.9 million
Total candidates in the fray: 1331
About 120 female candidates along with over 1300 others from diverse backgrounds are contesting in this third phase. Notable leaders include Union Minister Amit Shah (Gandhinagar), Jyotiraditya Scindia (Guna), Mansukh Mandaviya (Porbandar), and others. Former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan (Vidisha) and Digvijaya Singh (Rajgarh) are also competing for parliamentary seats this election.
Voting will be held in these constituencies:
Several notable candidates, like former Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai (Haveri) and Badruddin Ajmal (Dhubri), will have their fate sealed on May 7th. Furthermore, in Uttar Pradesh, members of the late Mulayam Singh Yadav's family are among those contesting in this phase. Note that with the BJP's uncontested win in Surat, Gujarat, Prime Minister Modi's home state will witness elections in 25 constituencies on May 7th. Additionally, 11 seats in Maharashtra, 10 in Uttar Pradesh, among others, will be part of the voting process, including all the seats in Goa and the Union Territories of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu. The scheduled election for the Anantnag-Rajouri seat has been postponed to the sixth phase.
Also Read: Election Commission introduces important updates for the third phase, live voting percentage available on the app
West Bengal showdown: who's pitted against whom?
With the third phase of elections also unfolding in West Bengal, fierce competition is seen in four constituencies: Malda North, Malda South, Jangipur, and Murshidabad. Key contenders across these constituencies are battling for their political careers.
Intense contests in these UP constituencies
The election campaign in Uttar Pradesh winds down with the focus on constituencies like Sambhal, Hathras, Agra among others. This phase will determine the political future of 100 candidates, with 188 million voters holding the decisive power, including over one million male and 87 million female voters. Central figures in this contest include Union Minister SP Singh Baghel and others from Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav's family.
The stakes for these leaders are high
Prominent figures like Dimple Yadav are contesting from Mainpuri, while other influential candidates are striving to maintain their strongholds in the region.
Voting in 9 Madhya Pradesh seats
The fate of high-profile candidates like Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Jyotiraditya Scindia, and Digvijaya Singh will be decided in 9 Madhya Pradesh seats. Voting will take place in Morena, Bhind, Gwalior, Guna, and other important constituencies.
Showdown in Baramati between Supriya Sule and Sunetra
Maharashtra's Baramati constituency will witness a significant electoral battle between Sharad Pawar's daughter Supriya Sule and Sunetra, wife of Maharashtra's Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar.
Several VVIPs set to vote in the third phase
Notably, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister, and other VVIP voters will cast their ballots during this crucial third phase.
PM Modi to vote in Gujarat tomorrow
Following tradition, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will vote in Gujarat on the morning of the election day. Accompanied by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, PM Modi ensures all eyes are on his next political move.
