As dawn broke on May 18, the vibrant democracy of India awoke to the fourth phase of its 17th Lok Sabha elections. A total of 96 Lok Sabha constituencies across nine states and one Union Territory are poised to exercise their franchise. It’s a day marked with anticipation as over 1700 candidates make their bid for parliamentary seats. Polling stations opened their doors at 7 am and will welcome voters until 6 pm, expecting millions to cast their votes.
The states participating in this phase of polls include a diverse range of geographies and political landscapes: Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Jammu and Kashmir, Jharkhand, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, Telangana, Maharashtra, and the populous Uttar Pradesh. Furthermore, in a simultaneous electoral process, Andhra Pradesh will also see voting for 175 assembly seats and Odisha for 147 assembly seats.
Given the vastness of the Indian electorate and the range of issues influencing voter decisions, the outcomes of today’s voting in the Lok Sabha constituencies will be crucial indicators for the overall election results.
The constituencies in Andhra Pradesh going to the polls constitute the entire state. Every corner, from Araku in the lush eastern ghats to Chittoor in the arid south, will see voters deciding the fate of their representation. The state’s political battle is intense, with regional parties clashing with national power players.
Bihar, with its 5 key Lok Sabha seats in contention — Darbhanga, Ujiarpur, Samastipur, Begusarai, and Munger — anticipates a high voter turnout, echoing the fervent electoral activities witnessed during the campaigns.
Jammu and Kashmir sees a lone constituency, Srinagar, amidst a sensitive security environment, going to vote. It is a spotlight region, with its elections being closely monitored for turnout and fair conduct.
Jharkhand’s tribal heartlands and mining areas will vote too, with constituencies like Singhbhum and Khunti amongst others making their democratic choice.
In Odisha, the constituencies of Kalahandi, Nabarangpur, Berhampur, and Koraput are up against simultaneous assembly elections, which adds to the complexity of voting patterns with regional issues taking center stage.
Madhya Pradesh’s eight constituencies, housing a mix of rural and urban populations from Dewas to the industrial city of Indore, will be keenly contested as political parties lock horns over governance issues.
The eastern state of West Bengal’s tryst with the ballot today includes its eight parliamentary constituencies, including the industrial hub of Asansol and the cultural seat of Bolpur, among others.
Telangana’s 17 constituencies, right from Adilabad in the north to Khammam in the south, will be the scene of electoral engagement today, with a focus on regional development and agrarian issues at the forefront.
Maharashtra’s 11 constituencies range from the tribal-dominated Nandurbar to the urbanity of Pune and historical Aurangabad, each carrying different expectations to the polling booths.
Finally, Uttar Pradesh — a key battleground state with 13 constituencies including Shahjahanpur and Etawah — is expected to play a pivotal role in the electoral arithmetic of these elections.
As the country witnesses this colossal exercise in democracy, the world watches how the largest democratic elections unfold. The fervor is palpable, and the electorate’s verdict will soon mark another chapter in India’s democratic journey. Below is the detailed list of the Lok Sabha constituencies participating in this critical phase of the 2024 general elections. May 18 will indeed be a significant footnote in the annals of India’s electoral history.
