The fifth phase of the Lok Sabha elections on May 20 saw a voter turnout of 10.28% across 49 parliamentary constituencies spanning six states and two Union Territories (UTs) by 9 am, according to the Election Commission (ECI).

State-wise Voter Turnout

The ECI reported the following turnout figures:

Bihar: 8.86%
Jammu and Kashmir: 7.63%
Jharkhand: 11.68%
Ladakh: 10.51%
Maharashtra: 6.33%
Odisha: 6.87%
West Bengal: 15.35%

In Odisha, where Legislative Assembly elections are being held simultaneously, the voter turnout reached 6.99% by 9 am in the second and final phase.

Assembly Constituencies Turnout

In Jharkhand’s Gandey Assembly constituency, which is undergoing by-elections, the turnout was 10.37% by 9 am. Meanwhile, the Assembly by-election in Lucknow East constituency, Uttar Pradesh, recorded a turnout of 10.88%.

Voter Demographics and Candidates

Over 8.95 crore voters, including 4.69 crore males, 4.26 crore females, and 5,409 third-gender electors, will decide the fate of 695 candidates in this phase of voting. Key contests feature prominent leaders such as Rahul Gandhi, BJP leaders Rajnath Singh, Smriti Irani, Rajiv Pratap Rudy, Piyush Goyal, Ujjwal Nikam, Karan Bhushan Singh, LJP (Ramvilas) chief Chirag Paswan, JKNC chief Omar Abdullah, and RJD leader Rohini Acharya.

Polling Locations

The eight states/UTs voting in this phase include Bihar, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal. Cities like Mumbai, Thane, and Lucknow, which have historically experienced low urban voter turnout, are also polling in this phase.

Lok Sabha Seats Distribution

Of the 49 Lok Sabha seats:

Uttar Pradesh: 14
Maharashtra: 13
West Bengal: 7
Bihar: 5
Jharkhand: 3
Odisha: 5
Jammu and Kashmir: 1
Ladakh: 1

Security Measures

To ensure a peaceful voting environment, 2,000 flying squads, 2,105 static surveillance teams, 881 video surveillance teams, and 502 video viewing teams are monitoring activities at the 94,732 polling stations. Additionally, 216 international border check posts and 565 inter-state border check posts are actively preventing the illicit movement of liquor, drugs, cash, and freebies. The ECI has also implemented strict surveillance over sea and air routes to maintain the integrity of the elections.