In a number of states, the 2024 Lok Sabha elections will begin today. There will be first-phase elections for 102 Lok Sabha seats spread across 21 states and Union territories.
All (39) seats in Tamil Nadu, (5) in Uttarakhand, (2) in Arunachal Pradesh, (2) in Meghalaya, (1) in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, (1) in Mizoram, (1) in Nagaland, (1) in Puducherry, (1) in Sikkim, and (1) in Lakshadweep will be polled. (12) seats in Rajasthan, (8) in Uttar Pradesh, (6) in Madhya Pradesh, (5) in each of Assam and Maharashtra, (4) in Bihar, 93) in West Bengal, (2) in Manipur, and (1) in each of Tripura, Jammu and Kashmir, and Chhattisgarh will also be up for vote.
The UPA had won 45 and the NDA 41 in 2019, Of these 102 seats. As part of the delimitation process, six of these seats have been redrew.
The stock markets will stay open today. The NSE had previously announced that it will close on May 20 in conjunction with the Mumbai polling day.
Even though it’s a public holiday, not all businesses will be closed. Nonetheless, if you are able to vote, you can take a day off work to cast your ballot and are entitled to a public holiday.
Banks will be closed in the following cities today: Chennai, Agartala, Dehradun, Aizawl, Itanagar, Jaipur, Kohima, Nagpur, and Shillong.
Government offices in the states where public holidays have been announced are also be closed. Colleges and schools will also be closed.
Liquor stores will also be closed today. In fact, 48 hours before voting day, a dry day has been declared in the constituencies used for polling.