60% votes cast in round 1 of Lok Sabha elections in India

The first phase of voting for the 18th Lok Sabha elections were held in 21 states and Union territories on April 19.

Over 60 percent voter turnout was recorded pm across the states, reports NDTV.

Voting was held 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.

More than 16.63 crore voters, which include over eight crore men and women each, cast their vote at nearly 2 lakh polling stations.

Meanwhile, the Trinamool Congress made several complaints against the BJP to the Election Commission regarding fake votes and the demolition of its party office. On the other hand, the BJP alleged that their block president was abducted by Trinamool miscreants.

Apart from this, reports of clashes have also been received in several states including West Bengal during the first phase of polling, the Election Commission said.

The Election Commission is uncomfortable in this situation. According to official sources, the Commission is unhappy with the role of the state government and the Chief Electoral Officer of the state. There was no hint in the official report that such a situation might arise.

According to Indian media reports, polling for the Lok Sabha elections will be held in seven phases in a total of 543 constituencies. Voting will continue till June 1. The results of the polls will be announced on June 4.