Lok Sabha polls: Voter turnout crosses 40% in Tamil Nadu, heavy turnout in Bengal and Manipur amidst violence

CHENNAI: Halfway through the first phase of polling for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections in the country, the total voter turnout is at 36.96 %. Polling in Tamil Nadu crossed 40 percent. Along with this, 45 percent voting was recorded till 1 pm in Puducherry. This time, the competition in Tamil Nadu is not only against the DMK's traditional rivals, the AIDMK, but also against the BJP, which is trying to become an influential force in South India.

Attacks were witnessed in Bengal and Manipur amidst the polls. The polling officer locked one both at one place in Manipur. Trinamool Congress and BJP workers clashed in Cooch Behar in West Bengal. There was firing at a polling station in Manipur's Bishnupur. Attackers vandalized a polling station in Imphal East.

Tamil Nadu Governor R N Ravi cast his vote in Chennai along with his wife. Chief Minister M K Stalin also voted in Chennai. BJP chief K Annamalai voted in Karur. Meantime, Tripura is leading with 53.04 % vote share if looking at the figures in other states where elections are held. 50.96 % voting was registered in Bengal. Meghalaya 48.91 %, Manipur 46.92 %, Assam 45.12 %, Madhya Pradesh 44.43 %, Nagaland 43.62 %, and Jammu and Kashmir 43.11 %. Lakshadweep recorded the lowest turnout with only 29.91 percent voting till 1 pm.