Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi and his wife Lakshmi put forth their votes at a polling booth in Chennai in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections on Friday.
Governor RN Ravi also encouraged people to participate enthusiastically and fulfill their democratic responsibility.
After casting his vote, Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi said, “This is the festival of democracy. I am immensely happy and proud to have participated in it. This mark (inked finger) is the most beautiful insignia of a citizen.”
“I urge all citizens, especially first-time voters, to take part in this festival with full enthusiasm,” he added.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin also called on voters to fulfill their democratic obligation. Sharing his voting experience on his official X Handle, the Tamil Nadu CM posted pictures and stated, “I have done my Democratic duty. I request people to do their democratic duty.”
The Tamil Nadu CM also encouraged young voters to participate in the electoral process with enthusiasm.
“Everyone vote correctly. Especially young people, who are first-time voters should vote with enthusiasm! The future of our India is in your hands…”
Voting is currently in progress for all 39 seats in Tamil Nadu during the first phase of the general elections.
The first phase of Lok Sabha elections 2024 commenced on Friday across 102 parliamentary constituencies spread over 21 states and Union Territories as the extensive seven-phase electoral process began at 7:00 am. Voters will continue to cast their votes until 6:00 pm.
In Tamil Nadu during the 2019 general elections, the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance, consisting of the Congress, VCK, MDMK, CPI, CPI(M), IUML, MMK, KMDK, TVK, and AIFB, secured a landslide victory by winning 38 of the 39 seats in the state.
Those participating in the first phase include constituencies in Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, West Bengal, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Jammu and Kashmir, Lakshadweep, and Puducherry. The second phase is scheduled for April 26, followed by subsequent phases on May 7, May 13, May 20, May 25, and June 1, respectively.
According to ECI data, an estimated 8.4 crore male voters, 8.23 crore female voters, and 11,371 third-gender electors are eligible to vote in the first phase of Lok Sabha polls. Vote counting is scheduled for June 4.