The sixth phase of Lok Sabha polls witnessed a turnout of 63.3% as 59 parliamentary constituencies in seven States voted on May 12, the Election Commission said. The sixth phase of polling was held for eight seats in Bihar, all 10 seats in Haryana and all seven in Delhi, four in Jharkhand, eight in Madhya Pradesh, 14 in Uttar Pradesh and eight in West Bengal. Election Commission officials said the final polling percentage may rise as there were queues at some places and this figure is till 6 p.m. The percentage for various States separately was not available immediately as information was being collected from various states, the ECI officials said. President Ram Nath Kovind, Congress president Rahul Gandhi, UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj were among those who cast their vote in Delhi. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, his deputy Manish Sisodia, Union Minister and BJP’s Chandni Chowk candidate Harsh Vardhan, ex-cricketer and BJP’s East Delhi candidate Gautam Gambhir, Congress’s New Delhi and Northeast Delhi candidates Ajay Maken and Sheila Dikshit also voted. Over 10.17 crore voters are eligible to exercise their franchise to choose among the 979 candidates in fray. The Election Commission has set up over 1.13 lakh polling stations for smooth conduct of polls. Click here for details on the number of seats, key candidates, and more. Here are the latest updates: 7.20 pm ECI presser on poll numbers As the phase 6 has concluded, the Election Commission is holding a press conference to announce the poll numbers. Delhi: 56.11% turnout was recorded in till 5 pm compared to the final turnout of 65.1% in 2014 56.11% turnout was recorded in till 5 pm compared to the final turnout of 65.1% in 2014 Haryana: 62.91% turnout till 5 pm compared to 71.86% in 2014 62.91% turnout till 5 pm compared to 71.86% in 2014 Madhya Pardesh: 60.06% till 5 pm, compared to 56.81% in 2014 60.06% till 5 pm, compared to 56.81% in 2014 Jharkhand : 65.17% so far, as against 64.53% last time : 65.17% so far, as against 64.53% last time Tripura West: 72.28% turnout so far in 168 polling stations where repoll was held 72.28% turnout so far in 168 polling stations where repoll was held Bihar: 59.38% turnout till 6 pm, over 2% rise over 2014 figure 59.38% turnout till 6 pm, over 2% rise over 2014 figure Uttar Pradesh : 54.12% turnout till now compared to 54.53% in 2014 : 54.12% turnout till now compared to 54.53% in 2014 Overall turnout for phase 6: 63.3% polling till now compared to 63.67% in 2014 Election Commission officials say the final polling percentage may rise as there were queues at some places and this figure is till 6 p.m. ECI says 0.35% ballot units, 0.38% control units and 1.52% VVPATs were replaced due to malfunction, the lowest figure in six phases. 6.35 pm Voter turnout crosses 60% As per the updates at 6.32 p.m. in the Voter Turnout app of the Election Commission of India, the turnout has crossed 60%. Though voting officially closes at 6 p.m., those who managed to get into the queue by then will be allowed to vote. The State-wise voter turnout is as follows: State Voter Turnout Bihar 55.32% Haryana 62.51% Madhya Pradesh 60.30% Uttar Pradesh 51.82% West Bengal 80.16% Jharkhand 64.46% Delhi 55.51% 6.05 pm 59.74% voter turnout till 6 p.m. According to the Voter Turnout app of the Election Commission of India, the turnout is 59.74% till 6 p.m. as voting comes to a close. The State-wise voter turnout is as follows: State Voter Turnout Bihar 55.04% Haryana 62.34% Madhya Pradesh 60.12% Uttar Pradesh 50.82% West Bengal 80.13% Jharkhand 64.46% Delhi 55.44% 5.25 pm Delhi's transgender voters excited at voting for the first time under gender identity of their choice Excited about voting under their chosen gender identity for the first time in general elections, the transgender voters in the national capital flaunted their inked fingers and expressed hope for a government which ensures them a better future. This is the first time that transgenders are voting under the category after Supreme Court had declared them as the “third gender” in 2014. Earlier they had to vote as male or female. For 32-year-old Janasheen, it was an incredible experience. “I have voted before but this is the first time I am voting as a transgender, an identity which I am proud of now. I have also posted a selfie on my WhatsApp status with my inked finger.” Sapna Bai, a transgender who voted in Matia Mahal said, “I am very happy that I can cast my vote as what I really am. I want a new government which thinks about us and also consider us equally on their agenda“. 5.05 pm 51.77% voter turnout till 5 p.m. According to the Voter Turnout app of the Election Commission of India, the turnout is 51.77% till 5 p.m. The State-wise voter turnout is as follows: State Voter Turnout Bihar 45.78% Haryana 54.66% Madhya Pradesh 54.28% Uttar Pradesh 43.50% West Bengal 70.77% Jharkhand 58.32% Delhi 45.44% 4.45 pm Attack on BJP candidate by TMC in West Bengal act of frustration: Javadekar New Delhi: The BJP on Sunday termed the attack on its candidate Bharati Ghosh in West Bengal an “act of frustration” by the ruling Trinamool Congress in the State and claimed that the days of the Mamata Banerjee government are numbered. The party also demanded that the Election Commission of India take suo motu cognisance of matter. Ms. Ghosh was allegedly attacked twice by locals on May 12 when the former IPS officer tried to visit polling stations in Ghatal Lok Sabha constituency, where she is the BJP candidate, when polling was under way there. One of her security guards was injured in stone pelting while Ms. Ghosh herself suffered minor injuries when a group of women allegedly attacked her when she tried to take a BJP agent inside a polling booth at Keshpur area in the morning. Union Minister and BJP leader Prakash Javadekar said, “Stones were pelted on her car and she was also injured. Instead of taking action against the goons, Ghosh’s movements have been restricted and her car, which was vandalised, has been seized by the local administration. This is unacceptable. The TMC goons are engaged in unabated violence against the BJP. This is an act of frustration.” The State CEO has sought reports from the West Midnapore District Magistrate about the incidents. Mr. Javadekar also claimed that in Jhargam Lok Sabha constituency, the body of a BJP booth president has been recovered. Demanding that poll observers should ensure proper deployment of Central forces for smooth voting, the Union Minister said, “Mamata [Banerjee] says there is an expiry date for the prime minister. But the way they are conducting elections, the amount of frustration, and with the imminent defeat of the TMC, there is an expiry date of the Mamata government.” — PTI 4.15 pm 50.74% voter turnout till 4 p.m. According to the Voter Turnout app of the Election Commission of India, the turnout is 50.74% till 4 p.m. The State-wise voter turnout is as follows: State Voter Turnout Bihar 44.40% Haryana 51.80% Madhya Pradesh 52.62% Uttar Pradesh 43.26% West Bengal 70.51% Jharkhand 58.08% Delhi 45.22% 3.15 pm AAP’s Raghav Chadha alleges bogus voting by BJP workers New Delhi: AAP’s South Delhi candidate Raghav Chadha on Sunday accused BJP workers of casting bogus votes in Sangam Vihar. No immediate reaction was available from the BJP or police. Mr. Chadha alleged that the BJP workers have collided with the police and are casting their ballots again and again after removing the ink. “BJP workers are moving around in a polling booth in Sangam Vihar in BJP scarves, a person voted four times. We identified 8-10 such people and caught one red-handed,” he said. He claimed that these tactics are being used by his BJP rival Ramesh Bidhuri. — PTI Bogus voting being done at a large scale at this polling station. Police and election officers facilitating it. AAP volunteers have uncovered the fraud. We are reaching the spot. pic.twitter.com/Bnw2WjD3M6 — Raghav Chadha (@raghav_chadha) May 12, 2019 3.00 pm 43.97% voter turnout till 3 p.m. According to the Election Commission website, the sixth phase of election has seen a voter turnout of 43.97% till 3 p.m. The State-wise voter turnout is as follows: State Voter Turnout Bihar 40.33% Haryana 44.46% Madhya Pradesh 46.56% Uttar Pradesh 39.73% West Bengal 59.24% Jharkhand 50.77% Delhi 34.44% 2.30 pm Over 55% votes polled in 6 hrs in West Bengal, BJP candiate attacked Kolkata: Amid sporadic violence from Paschim Medinipore district, polling at eight Lok Sabha constituencies in West Bengal was peaceful as 55.58% of 1,33,69,749 voters exercised their franchise in the first six hours of voting on Sunday. BJP’s Ghatal candidate Bharati Ghosh was allegedly attacked by locals twice when she tried to visit polling stations in Keshpur in. Tamluk seat recorded the highest 59.07% voter turnout till 1 p.m. followed by 58.21% in Jhargram (ST), 57.09% in Kanthi, 56.06% in Purulia, 54.95% in Ghatal, 53.02% in Medinipore, 52.84% in Bishunupur (SC), and 52.82% in Bankura, an election official said. The eight constituencies are spread across five districts of the state. “Polling is moslty peaceful except some incidents of disturbances in Keshpur. We have sought reports,” a senior official of the State CEO’s office told PTI. There were reports of attack on BJP’s Ghatal candidate, former IPS officer Bharati Ghosh, when she tried to enter a polling booth in Keshpur. Following it, bombs were hurled at and stones were pelted towards her convoy when she tried to visit another booth in Keshpur after receiving complaints of rigging there. One of her security guards was injured and a vehicle of her convoy was damaged in the stone pelting following which the security officers restored to lathicharge. It was also alleged a Trinamool Congress worker was injured in firing by the Central force personnel who were with the BJP candidate who, however, denied the charge. The official said, “So far we have not received reports of any firing. We are looking into it. Our officials in the districts have been asked to send details of the incidents of attacks on Bharati Ghosh quickly.” The CEO also sought a report after Ms. Ghosh was seen recording video inside a polling booth at Pikurda in Keshpur. Ms. Ghosh’s vehicle was again blocked by locals when she tried to enter Keshpur market area. The state police posted in the area intervened and her vehicle was seized. “Her vehicle has no valid pass to move through the area on the polling day. We cannot allow her to move around like this. This is a matter of security,” the police officer said. After the seizure, a large number of protesters gathered there and she took shelter inside a temple in Keshpur market area with her security officers guarding her. The mob also pelted stones to the policemen who resorted to lathicharge to disperse them. Owners of shops in the market downed the shutters. Ms. Ghosh was then taken to Keshpur police station to protect her from the wrath of the protesters. BJP’s candidate and State party president Dilip Ghosh also faced protests from locals when he tried to visit a polling booth in his constituency, Midnapore. — PTI 2.00 pm 40.42% voter turnout till 2 p.m. According to the Election Commission website, the sixth phase of election has seen a voter turnout of 40.42% till 2 p.m. The State-wise voter turnout is as follows: State Voter Turnout Bihar 35.22% Haryana 41.65% Madhya Pradesh 43.16% Uttar Pradesh 34.76% West Bengal 55.83% Jharkhand 47.16% NCT of Delhi 33.78% 1.45 pm '5.5% VVPAT replaced in Delhi' 5.5% VVPAT have been replaced in Delhi so far, mostly in Chandni Chowk and West Delhi constituencies, says Chief Election Officer Ranbir Singh, adding that the control unit and ballot unit replacement is less than 1%. --------------- A special drive to increase the number of 'third gender' voters was undertaken by election officials in New Delhi. --------------- Delhi voter turnout at 34.48% till 1 p.m. Lowest turnout in New Delhi. 1) Chandni chowk - 33.10 2) North East Delhi - 36.55 3) East Delhi - 34.40<doc-sep>Voting has started in 59 seats across the country on Sunday morning. (PTI photo) Within hours of the Lok Sabha Phase 6 elections on Sunday, one BJP worker and a Trinamool Congress worker were found dead in different parts of West Bengal. According to ANI, two other BJP workers were shot at in Bhagabanpur of East Midnapore. Ananta Guchait and Ranjit Maity is undergoing treatment at a local hospital. The body of a Trinamool worker was found in Kanthi's Mardhara area on Sunday morning. The area comes under the Contai Lok Sabha seat. In Jhargram, villagers recovered the body of a BJP booth-level worker on Saturday night hours before Lok Sabha elections commenced in the morning. The body was found in Chunsole village under Belebera police station in Jhargram. FOLLOW LIVE UPDATES ON PHASE 6 LOK SABHA ELECTIONS The BJP worker has been identified as Raman Singh. BJP has alleged that he was attacked by Trinamool workers. However, local police say there are no injury marks on him after preliminary probe. They say he suffered a seizure, which caused his death. The body has been sent for post mortem and a probe has been ordered. The Trinamool worker who was found dead in Contai has been identified as Sudhakar Maiti. According to sources, he was visiting a sick relative at the Kanthi Sub-Divisional Hospital on Saturday night after which he went missing. According to police, around 10:30 pm, they were informed that Maiti was brought back to the same hospital after being at a distant location. The doctor declared him brought dead. Although he was an active Left activist, he had recently turned towards the ruling Trinamool Congress. Police have started a probe into the incident. Eight seats in West Bengal are voting in the Phase 6 elections on Sunday. Tamluk, Kanthi, Ghatal, Jhargram, Medinipur, Purulia, Bankura and Bishnupur are voting today. A total of 59 seats across the country are voting in the elections today as polling nears end in the 7-phase Lok Sabha elections. (With inputs from Manogya Loiwal and Indrajit Kundu)<doc-sep>
Phase 6 of polling in the 2019 Lok Sabha election is scheduled for Sunday, 12 May, in 59 parliamentary constituencies across seven states. With just around 30 percent of the electorate left to vote in the 2019 Lok Sabha election, Phase 6 of polling is scheduled for Sunday, 12 May, in 59 parliamentary constituencies across six states and the National Capital Territory of Delhi. A few constituencies in Bihar, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal are set to vote in Phase 6. All Lok Sabha constituencies in Haryana and Delhi will vote on Sunday, 12 May. While the poll timings are 7 am to 6 pm in most constituencies, voting will end early at 4 pm in Jharkhand and a few parts of Bihar for security concerns. In addition to these 59 constituencies, the Election Commission has ordered repolling at 168 polling booths in the West Tripura constituency following allegations of massive rigging, booth capturing and irregularities that came in after the constituency voted in Phase 1 of the Lok Sabha election on 11 April. The votes from all seven phases will be counted on 23 May. Here is a list of all the candidates in the fray for Phase 6: Here is a state-wise list of poll timings for Sunday: Bihar 7 am to 4 pm: Valmiki Nagar (Assembly Constituencies: Valmiki Nagar and Ramnagar), Vaishali (Assembly Constituencies: Minapur, Paroo and Sahebganj AC). 7 am to 6 pm: Valmiki Nagar (Assembly Constituencies: Narkatiaganj, Bagaha, Lauriya and Sikta), Paschim Champaran, Purvi Champaran, Sheohar, Vaishali (Assembly Constituencies: Kanti, Baruraj, Vaishali), Gopalganj, Siwan and, Maharajganj Haryana 7 am to 6 pm: Ambala, Kurukshetra, Sirsa, Hisar, Karnal, Sonipat, Rohtak, Bhiwani-Mahendragarh, Gurgaon and Faridabad Jharkhand 7 am to 4 pm: Giridih, Dhanbad, Jamshedpur and Singhbhum Madhya Pradesh 7 am to 6 pm: Morena, Bhind, Gwalior, Guna, Sagar, Vidisha, Bhopal and Rajgarh Uttar Pradesh 7 am to 6 pm: Sultanpur, Pratapgarh, Phulpur, Allahabad, Ambedkar Nagar, Shrawasti, Domariyaganj, Basti, Sant Kabir Nagar, Lalganj, Azamgarh, Jaunpur, Machhlishahr and Bhadohi West Bengal 7 am to 6 pm: Tamluk, Kanthi, Ghatal, Jhargram, Medinipur, Purulia, Bankura and Bishnupur NCT of Delhi 7 am to 6 pm: Chandni Chowk, North East Delhi, East Delhi, New Delhi, North West Delhi, West Delhi and South Delhi