As the fourth phase of Lok Sabha elections concluded on May 13, 2024, India witnessed a voter turnout of 64.60% in 96 constituencies. Among the numerous innovative measures taken, one particularly stood out - the establishment of "Pink Polling Stations" run entirely by women staff to promote gender equality and encourage more female participation in elections. Despite reports of violence and technical glitches in some states, the polling process in 23 states and Union territories has been completed, with the next three phases scheduled to take place on May 20, May 25, and June 1. The counting of votes will take place on June 4.
India General Elections 2024: Empowering Women and Overcoming Challenges
The 2024 Indian General Elections have embarked on a historic journey, witnessing the introduction of innovative measures and the culmination of electoral processes in several states and Union territories.
Gender Equality in Polling: Pink Polling Stations
One of the most notable initiatives in this election cycle is the establishment of "Pink Polling Stations" across India. These polling stations are managed entirely by female staff, from security personnel to election officials. This initiative aims to promote gender equality and encourage more women to participate in the electoral process.
Progress and Challenges
The fourth phase of the elections, held on May 13, saw a voter turnout of 64.60% in 96 constituencies. So far, polling has been completed in 23 states and Union territories. While the process has largely been peaceful, reports of violence and technical glitches have surfaced in some areas.
The next three phases of elections are scheduled for May 20, May 25, and June 1. The counting of votes will take place on June 4.
Top 5 FAQs
1. What is the significance of Pink Polling Stations? Pink Polling Stations aim to provide a safe and encouraging environment for women to cast their votes, promoting gender equality and increasing female participation in elections.
2. How many Pink Polling Stations were set up? Over 1,500 Pink Polling Stations were established across India in the 2024 General Elections.
3. What were the major challenges faced during the polling process? Some states reported instances of violence and technical glitches, including malfunctioning electronic voting machines.
4. Have all the phases of the election been completed? As of now, polling has been completed in 23 states and Union territories. Three more phases remain to be held.
5. When will the results of the elections be announced? The counting of votes and the declaration of results will take place on June 4, 2024.
Conclusion
The 2024 Indian General Elections have showcased the nation's commitment to empowering women and ensuring a fair and inclusive electoral process. Despite challenges, the introduction of innovative measures like Pink Polling Stations has marked a significant step towards increasing female participation. As the remaining phases of elections approach, the focus remains on ensuring a peaceful and successful conclusion to this historic event.
The largest gathering of nationalist thinkers and practitioners, Lokmanthan 2024, is set to begin in Hyderabad on November 21. President of India Droupadi Murmu, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, and several Union ministers will engage in talks, exhibitions, cultural performances, and a food festival over the course of four days. Organized for the first time in South India, the platform aims to promote the oneness of ancient civilization through discussions with prominent academicians, thinkers, artists, and activists.
With 7 candidates vying for the Karhal MLA seat, the bypoll elections were necessitated by the resignation of Akhilesh Yadav. Watch live updates on the election process, including who is leading, trailing, and ultimately wins the seat. Karhal is part of the 21st Mainpuri Lok Sabha constituency in Uttar Pradesh and had previously been won by Yadav's wife, Dimple Yadav. As per the gazette notification, the bypoll will take place on November 20, 2024, and the results will be announced on November 23, 2024.
On Sunday morning, Sambhal district in Uttar Pradesh saw an outburst of violence when a team of surveyors arrived at the Shahi Jama Masjid to conduct a second survey of the mosque. The police had to resort to lathi charge and tear gas shells to control the crowd, who were throwing stones and attacking media personnel. Amidst all this chaos, the police announced that they would take strict action against those who were involved in the violence, stating that their actions were illegal under section 163 of the Bhartiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita.
During his monthly radio program, PM Modi emphasized the significant role youth play in shaping India's future and announced the upcoming Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue to coincide with Swami Vivekananda's birth anniversary and National Youth Day. The event will bring together 2,000 young minds from across India to brainstorm and develop a roadmap for the country's progress. PM Modi also urged youth from non-political backgrounds to join politics and will personally attend as much of the dialogue as possible.
The bypoll for the Meerapur Vidhan Sabha constituency in Uttar Pradesh has attracted attention with a total of 11 candidates vying to be elected as the MLA. The constituency, which is part of the Bijnor Lok Sabha seat, has been necessitated due to the resignation of Chandan Chauhan. Stay updated with live result updates to find out who will be the new Member of Legislative Assembly for Meerapur.
A heated debate has arisen between the Samajwadi Party and the BJP over the issue of voter identity verification for Muslim women wearing burqas, hijabs, niqabs, and ghunghats in the upcoming UP by-election. The Samajwadi Party has approached the Election Commission demanding that Muslim women should not have to remove their burqas for checks, while the BJP argues that every voter must be identified. The Election Commission has confirmed that only the polling officer is authorised to verify voter ID cards, and police or security personnel are not permitted to check ID cards or request a woman to remove her burqa. As polling continues, the outcome of this controversy remains to be seen.
Amidst growing controversy and criticism, the ruling BJP in Uttar Pradesh seems to have a dilemma over its slogan, "Batoge to Katoge" coined by CM Yogi Adityanath. Within the party, Deputy CM Keshav Prasad Maurya has expressed ignorance about the slogan's context, causing opposition parties to question the party's unity. The BJP's attempts to present a consistent narrative seem to have failed as even party leaders like Ajit Pawar have spoken against the slogan. With differing slogans from top leaders, the opposition accuses the BJP of contradictions.
The results for the Maharashtra and Jharkhand Assembly polls are in, with the Shiv Sena-NCP alliance and the JMM facing a stiff challenge from the BJP. Despite facing internal divisions, the Maha Yuti alliance in Maharashtra looks set to secure a victory. Meanwhile, in Jharkhand, the JMM, bolstered by its I.N.D.I.A. allies, is expected to retain power. Stay updated with live updates and coverage on Deccan Herald and make sure to follow their Whatsapp, X, Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram channels for more news.
In the recently concluded Maharashtra Assembly elections, the Congress faced a major defeat in direct contests with the BJP, winning only 10 out of 75 seats. This is a significant decline from their performance in the Lok Sabha polls earlier this year. The BJP's average vote share per seat contested rose by 6 percentage points, while the Congress saw a decline of 14 percentage points. In some key constituencies, the Congress finished in fourth place, highlighting the immediate need for the party to reassess its strategies and connect with the voting public.
In a surprising turn of events, the Bharatiya Janata Party-led Mahayuti alliance has emerged victorious in the Maharashtra Assembly elections, securing a record-breaking 234 out of 288 seats. With the BJP coming out as the single largest party, winning 132 seats on its own, all eyes are now on who will be the Chief Minister of the state. The ruling alliance's stunning win has left Shiv Sena and Sharad Pawar's NCP far behind, with only 57 and 10 seats respectively. As celebrations break out in the winning camps, the people of Maharashtra eagerly await the next CM's announcement.