Ambani and Akshay Kumar cast votes in Mumbai; Fifth phase of voting underway

MUMBAI: Voting for Lok Sabha elections has started in 49 constituencies in eight states of the country, including 14 seats in Uttar Pradesh and 13 seats in Maharashtra. Elections are also held today in Mumbai, the financial capital of the country. Reliance Group Chairman Anil Ambani cast his vote in the morning. He exercised his right of consent in Colaba, Mumbai.

Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar also voted in Mumbai. Akshay Kumar said that he voted for a developed and strong India. Today is a crucial day for various national leaders and Union ministers including Rahul Gandhi. The main candidates are Rahul Gandhi in Rae Bareli, Smriti Irani in Amethi and Rajnath Singh in Lucknow.

There are 94,732 polling stations in today's election. 9.47 lakh polling officers. 8.95 crore people are expected to vote in the fifth phase of polling. 4.69 crore males, 4.26 crore females and 5409 belonging to other genders will secure their mandate today. 17 special trains and 507 helicopters have been deployed to facilitate polling. Nowgam in Jammu and Kashmir is experiencing heavy traffic.

The least number of constituencies are in the fifth phase. Bihar (5), Jharkhand (3), Maharashtra (13), Odisha (5), Uttar Pradesh (14), West Bengal (7) and Baramulla in Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh in Ladakh. 695 candidates are contesting.

Meanwhile, the authorities on Saturday imposed curfew in Jammu and Kashmir's Kupwara and Baramulla districts ahead of the polls. District Magistrates of Baramulla and Kupwara districts imposed restrictions from 6 pm to 72 hours on Saturday.