The Lok Sabha elections 2024 have seen a voter turnout at polling stations of about 66.95 per cent so far, as approximately 451 million people have voted during the first four phases of the ongoing general elections.

This election over 97 crore people are eligible to vote. While, polling in the first three phases have been lower than 2019, the fourth phase saw a rise.

According to the poll authority, the updated voter turnout in the fourth phase of polling held on May 13 was 69.16 per cent, 3.65 percentage points higher than the corresponding phase in the 2019 parliamentary polls. The updated voter turnout figures for the third phase of polling in the Lok Sabha election stood at 65.68 per cent. In the third phase of the 2019 general election, the turnout was 68.4 per cent.

In the second phase of the election held on April 26, the turnout was recorded at 66.71 per cent as against the 69.64 per cent in the second phase of the 2019 polls. In the first phase of the ongoing general elections, a 66.14-per cent turnout was recorded. In the 2019 polls, the turnout in the first phase was 69.43 per cent.

Now, in order to push voter turnout in the remaining three phases of elections (May 20, May 25 and June 1), the Commission said that it has enhanced focus to inform, motivate and facilitate voters in the remaining phases of the parliamentary polls and state chief electoral officers have been asked to step up measures.

“The Commission strongly believes that partnership and collaboration are essential pillars of a voter awareness programme. It’s really heartening to see that on the Commission’s request, different institutions, influencers and celebrities having significant reach are working enthusiastically on a pro-bono basis,” Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar said.

A high voter turnout, Kumar felt, would be a message from Indian voters to the world about the strength of Indian democracy. He urged voters to cast their ballot in huge numbers, as voting day is not a holiday but a day of pride to participate in the festival of democracy.

The poll panel also listed out outreach efforts undertaken by various private and public bodies to enhance voter participation in the elections. A voting day alert was sent to all Facebook users pan-India to inform and make the voters aware about the General Elections and to nudge them to participate. i WhatsApp personalised messages have begun on polling day.

Google India is contributing through its iconic feature of Google Doodle on Poll Days and banners appearing on YouTube, Google pay and other Google Platforms. Banks, post offices, private entities and telecom platforms are using their public interface to encourage registered voters to turn up at the polling stations on various voting days.

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