With the first phase of Lok Sabha Polls coming to an end, The Election Commission recorded voting percentages more or less likely to Lok Sabha Elections 2014. The polling concluded on Thursday with EVMs being damaged, parties going on protest, violating the model Conduct by distributing Namo printed biscuit packets, and huge clashes in three raging contest areas of western Uttar Pradesh, northern districts of West Bengal and Andhra Pradesh.
According to EC, the numbers are expected to go higher as the estimates were only up to 5 pm irrespective of the records that showed a drop in the polling figures from 2014 Polls. The highest percentage of polling was recorded in Tripura and West Bengal with 81.8 percent and 80 percent respectively.
The first phase of elections covered 10 states and Union Territories.
VVPATs were used for the first time in the Lok Sabha elections in a 100 percent basis, EC reported the minimum replacement of the 0.6 percent EVM control units, 0.7 percent of EVM ballot units, and 1.7 percent of VVPATs.
In the 2014 Lok Sabha Polls, West Bengal recorded a total of 82.9% of votes that is more than 81% recorder this year. Andhra Pradesh recorded 78.8% of voters in 2014 which reduced to 73% this year. Jammu and Kashmir recorded 57.2% in 2014 that dropped to 55% in 2019.
In Bihar, there was, however, a minimal rise in the voter’s percentage from 51.8% to 53.06%. Lakshwadeep faced a considerable decline in the voters’ percentage from 86.6% to 66%.
Two deaths were reported in Andhra Pradesh and incidents of violence were reported in the areas of Cooch Behar and Kairana in UP. An IED blast was reported in the area of Chattisgarh however, no casualties were reported from the site.
Andhra Pradesh reported clashes between the workers of BJP and TMC which later on developed in a protest by BJP candidate from Cooch Behar constituency.
EVMs were reported to be damaged mostly in the West Bengal where CM Chandrababu Naidu moved to Election Commission to encourage the use of ballot papers for the elections.
The Election Commission reported a total seizure of 2,426 crores including the value of liquor, precious jewelry, special stones and properties that were unaccounted.
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