India is preparing for the initial phase of Lok Sabha elections, commencing on April 19, marking the start of a seven-phase electoral process for the Lower House. Polling will span from April 19 to June 1, with significant states like Assam, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, and Uttarakhand participating in the first phase.
In the first phase, elections will conclude in Tamil Nadu (39 seats), Uttarakhand (5), Arunachal Pradesh (2), Manipur (2), Meghalaya (2), Mizoram (1), Nagaland (1), and Sikkim (1). Additionally, polling will conclude in Lakshadweep, Puducherry, and Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
In total, 102 out of 534 Lok Sabha seats will be contested in this phase.
Phase-1 States Going to Polls:
– Arunachal Pradesh (2 Lok Sabha seats)
– Assam (5)
– Bihar (4)
– Chhattisgarh (1)
– Madhya Pradesh (6)
– Maharashtra (5)
– Manipur (2)
– Meghalaya (2)
– Mizoram (1)
– Nagaland (1)
– Rajasthan (12)
– Sikkim (1)
– Tamil Nadu (39)
– Tripura (1)
– Uttar Pradesh (8)
– Uttarakhand (5)
– West Bengal (3)
– Andaman and Nicobar Islands (1)
– Jammu and Kashmir (1)
– Lakshadweep (1)
– Puducherry (1)
In Uttar Pradesh, the largest state in terms of Lok Sabha seats (80), constituencies participating in the first phase include Saharanpur, Kairana, Muzaffarnagar, Bijnor, Nagina, Moradabad, Rampur, and Pilibhit.
In Bengal, Coochbehar, Alipurduars, and Jalpaiguri will also hold polls in the first phase. Bengal has 42 Lok Sabha seats.
In Maharashtra, which has 48 Lok Sabha seats, 5 constituencies are participating in the April 19 polls. These include Ramtek, Nagpur, Bhandara-Gondiya, Gadchiroli-Chimur, and Chandrapur.
All 39 seats in Tamil Nadu and 5 seats in Uttarakhand will be contested in Phase 1.
Vote counting is scheduled for June 4.