The fifth phase of Lok Sabha elections held on Monday in 49 parliamentary constituencies across six states and two Union territories (UTs) witnessed a voter turnout of 60.48 per cent till 11:30 pm, as per the Election Commission of India (ECI).

According to ECI data, Bihar recorded a voter turnout of 54.85 per cent, while Jammu and Kashmir recorded a turnout of 58.17 per cent till 11:30 pm. Jharkhand recorded a turnout of 63.09 per cent, Ladakh 69.62 per cent, Maharashtra 54.33 per cent, Odisha 69.34 per cent, Uttar Pradesh 57.79 per cent, and West Bengal 76.05 per cent.

Approximately 2.5 crore more Indian voters have exercised their franchise so far in the first four phases of the Lok Sabha polls, compared to 2019, as per a SBI Research report citing Election Commission data.

However, percentage-wise, the voter turnout is lower than the 68.15% recorded after the first four phases of the 2019 elections.

Constituencies in various urban cities like Mumbai, Thane, Nashik, and Lucknow continued to display the trend of urban apathy observed in the 2019 General Elections.

Despite this, in Mumbai, celebrities and common citizens alike waited patiently to cast their votes and proudly showcased their inked fingers. Celebrities from various walks of life have partnered with the Commission to motivate voters to exercise their franchise in the General Elections 2024.

With the conclusion of phase 5, the polling is now complete in 25 states/UTs and 428 PCs. Polling is also complete for State Legislative Assemblies of Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Andhra Pradesh, and 63 assembly seats of Odisha.

The sixth phase of polling is scheduled on May 25 in 58 PCs (including the adjourned poll in Anantnag-Rajouri PC) in 8 states/UTs.

General elections are being held in seven phases from April 19 to June 1, with votes for the 543 Lok Sabha seats to be counted on June 4.

(With ANI input)