Round-up of the Phase 6 Polling Day

Phase 6 saw polling in 59 constituencies across 6 states and 1 Union Territory

Phase 6 of polling on May 12, 2019 recorded an overall voter turnout of 63.49 percent. In 2014, the voter turnout recorded was 63.70 percent. With this round, polling for 483 of the 543 parliamentary constituencies has been completed. Phase 6 saw voting for 59 constituencies across 6 states and 1 Union Territory – U.P, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, Delhi, Haryana, West Bengal, and Bihar. Re-polling was conducted in 168 polling stations in West Tripura, registering a 72.32 percent voter turnout. The Election Commission (EC) reported the lowest rate of EVM/VVPAT replacements among all the phases in this phase. The total value of seizures by the EC until Phase 6 is around Rs 3,415 crores. It includes Rs 827 crores cash, Rs 285 crores worth liquor, Rs 1,261 crores worth drugs, Rs 984 worth gold and jewellery, and Rs 57 crores worth free giveaways.

Uttar Pradesh

2019 Voter turnout: 54.74 percent Voting conducted in 14 constituencies - Sultanpur, Azamgarh, Pratapgarh, Phulpur, Allahabad, Sant Kabir Nagar, Ambedkar Nagar, Shrawasti, Bhadohi, Domariyaganj, Basti, Lalganj, Jaunpur, Machhlishahr Uttar Pradesh disappointed, recording the lowest voter turnout among all states in Phase 6. 177 candidates contested the 14 seats. In Azamgarh, one presiding officer was replaced following a complaint from the Samajwadi Party. Several transgender voters came out in support of Bhawani Singh, a transgender candidate contesting the Allahabad seat. In Madari village under the Phulpur constituency, there were reports of clashes between supporters of SP and BJP.

Madhya Pradesh

2019 Voter turnout: 64.76 percent Voting conducted in 8 constituencies – Bhopal, Morena, Sagar, Bhind, Gwalior, Guna, Vidisha, Rajgarh Bhopal witnessed a high voter turnout - around 8 percent over 2014, but Congress candidate Digvijay Singh did not cast his vote as he is registered in the Rajgarh constituency and could not leave Bhopal. At 74 percent, Rajgarh recorded the highest turnout while Bhind registered the lowest at 54.5 percent. As per EC, 102 VVPATs were replaced during polls.

Jharkhand

2019 Voter turnout: 64.50 percent Voting conducted in 4 constituencies – Dhanbad, Jamshedpur, Giridih, Singhbhum Despite some areas being heavily naxal-affected, there were no reports of violence.

Delhi

2019 Voter turnout: 59.73 percent Voting conducted in 7 constituencies - New Delhi, Chandni Chowk, North East Delhi, East Delhi, South Delhi, North West Delhi, West Delhi Rahul Gandhi walked from his residence to the nearby polling booth, attracting a lot of media attention. He kept a low profile while speaking to the media. Vice President Venkaiah Naidu and his wife Usha cast their vote at the Nirman Bhavan polling booth. Former President Pranab Mukherjee also cast his vote. AAP candidate Raghav Chadha complained of BJP supporters in Sangam Vihar moving around with faces covered and facilitating some people to cast their vote several times.

Haryana

2019 Voter turnout: 68.34 percent Voting conducted in 10 constituencies – Rohtak, Ambala, Kurukshetra, Faridabad, Sirsa, Hissar, Karnal, Sonipat, Bhiwani-Mahendragarh, Gurgaon After West Bengal, Haryana recorded the second highest voter turnout.

Bihar

2019 Voter turnout: 59.29 percent Voting conducted in 8 constituencies – Gopalganj, Valmiki Nagar, Paschim Champaran, Purvi Champaran, Maharajganj, Sheohar, Vaishali, Siwan Voting conducted in 8 constituencies – Gopalganj, Valmiki Nagar, Paschim Champaran, Purvi Champaran, Maharajganj, Sheohar, Vaishali, Siwan Paschim Champaran recorded the highest voter turnout of 63.90 percent till 6 p.m. while Maharajganj registered the lowest at 52.12 percent. BJP candidate Sanjay Jaiswal from West Champaran was attacked in polling booth 162 in Bettiah village.

West Bengal

2019 Voter turnout: 80.35 percent Voting conducted in 8 constituencies – Bishnupur, Bankura, Tamluk, Kanthi, Ghatal, Jhargram, Medinipur, Purulia At 80.35 percent, West Bengal recorded the highest voter turnout among all the states in Phase 6. However, it was lower than 84.98 percent in 2014. Polling in Phase 6 once again witnessed violence with one person losing his life. BJP candidate from Ghatal ex-police officer Bharati Ghosh was attacked by TMC supporters when she tried to visit some booths. Her car windscreen was smashed, and the security personnel had to rescue her from the violent mob. Paramilitary forces had to fire in the air to control mobs in Tamluk before polling resumed. In Haldia, one EVM was damaged and replaced. Certain polling booths in Jhargram and Purulia witnessed poll boycotts. The EC removed the Bankura DM after violent clashes between TMC and BJP supporters were reported. Related Links: Round-up of the Phase 5 Polling Day Round-up of the Phase 4 Polling Day Round-up of the Phase 3 Polling Day Voting Pattern in Phase 2 of 2019 General Elections Mirrors 2014