Counting for Lok Sabha Elections 2024 began at 8 am on Tuesday, June 4. As decided by the Election Commission of India (ECI), the polling agent started counting from postal ballots rather than the EVMs. As per the early trends, NDA is leading in terms of postal ballot counting. NDA is leading on 140 seats, while INDIA block is leading on 111 seats. As per reports, postal ballot counting will take place in the first 45 minutes and thereafter, EVM counting will also start. It is said that counting for EVMs will start from 9 am. Multiple citizens including security personnel, senior citizens at home, etc cast their votes in postal ballot format where EVM facilities are not present.
Now, early trends in Punjab have also come and it showcases the edge of the Congress. As per initial postal ballot counting, Congress is leading on 3 seats, while the BJP is leading on 1 seat. Congress' Vijay Inder Singla is leading in the Anandpur Sahib constituency as the early trends start coming in. Congress' Vijay Inder Singla (Anandpur Sahib), Amar Singh (Fatehgarh Sahib), and Amarjit Kaur Sahoke (Faridkot), Charanjit Singh Channi (Jalandhar) are leading in the early trends in Punjab. While BJP's Taranjit Singh Sandhu is leading in Amritsar.
(Note: It is an early trend, numbers may change as soon as EVM counting starts)
Lok Sabha Elections 2024
Termed as the biggest electoral process in the world, Lok Sabha Elections 2024 was completed in seven phases of voting. Phase 1 of the Lok Sabha Elections 2024 started on April 9, 2024, and the final phase i.e. phase 7 was completed on June 1, 2024. There were a total of 543 seats up for grabs and the party that will cross the magical 272 marks will be declared the ultimate winner.
India recorded the highest voter turnout in the world during the recently concluded Lok Sabha polls, announced Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar on Monday. "We have created a world record of 642 million voters. This is a historic moment for all of us. This is 1.5 times the voters of all G7 countries and 2.5 times the voters of 27 countries in the European Union (EU). We thank each and every one who took part in this festival of democracy. The Indian elections are indeed a miracle having no parallel in the world,” Kumar said.
CEC further informed that in the seven-phase elections, 312 million women cast their votes, exceeding the number of women voters in the EU countries’ most recent national election.
While most of the Lok Sabha Elections 2024 exit polls predicted that PM Modi-led NDA government will return to power. The INDIA block on the other hand boycotted the exit polls and called it 'Governmental'. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge claimed that INDIA block will win more than 295 seats. On the other hand, Arvind Kejriwal who is currently lodged in Delhi's Tihar jail in liquor policy case stated that INDIA block will announce its PM candidate on June 4 after the results.
Top promises made by BJP before Lok Sabha Elections 2024 Results
The BJP has promised to accelerate development of robust infrastructure along the Indo-China, Indo-Pakistan and Indo-Myanmar borders. "We will introduce technological solutions on fenced portions to make fencing smarter."
The BJP said it will implement the Citizenship Amendment Act and confer citizenship to all eligible people.
The BJP promised to implement the Uniform Civil Code. "Bringing Uniform Civil Code: Article 44 of the Constitution lists Uniform Civil Code as one of the Directive Principles of State Policy. BJP believes that women will only get equal rights, and the BJP reiterates its stand to draw a Uniform Civil Code, drawing upon the best traditions and harmonizing them with the modern times," it said.
The BJP said it will implement One Nation, One Election a Reality. "We have set up a High Powered Committee to examine the issues of conducting simultaneous elections and will work towards the implementation of the recommendations of the Committee," he added.
The BJP said it is committed to strengthening these institutes like IITs, IIMs and AIIMS. "We will continue to upgrade the existing institutions through focused funding, capacity building, infrastructure upgradation and dedicated research grants," he said.
Top promises made by Congress before Lok Sabha Elections 2024 results
A constitutional amendment to raise 50 per cent cap on reservations for SC, ST and OBC communities.
Ten percent quota in jobs, educational institutions for EWS will be implemented for all castes, communities.
Passing the ‘Right to Apprenticeship Act’ to provide one-year apprenticeship to every diploma holder or graduate below age of 25.
Legal guarantee to Minimum Support Prices (MSP).
Immediately restore Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood.
Scrapping the the Agnipath Scheme.
The Rajasthan model of cashless insurance of up to Rs 25 lakh will be adopted for universal healthcare.
National minimum wage will be Rs 400 per day.
Launch of the Mahalakshmi scheme to provide Rs 1 lakh per year to every poor Indian family.