Lok Sabha Election 2019 Final Phase voting Updates: Polling ends; Rahul Gandhi says EC's 'capitulation before Modi and gang' obvious to all

P Chidambaram calls Modi’s Kedarnath visit ‘unacceptable use of religion’

“Polling is over. Now we can say that the ‘pilgrimage’ of the PM in the last two days is an unacceptable use of religion and religious symbols to influence the voting,” P Chidambaram wrote on Twitter. “Our charge had been that the EC was sleeping on the job. Now, we can go further and say that the EC completely surrendered its independence and authority. Shame!”

Our charge had been that the EC was sleeping on the job. Now, we can go further and say that the EC completely surrendered its independence and authority. Shame!

— P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) May 19, 2019

State-wise voter turnout till 6 pm

The overall voter turnout for the seventh phase is estimated to be 60.21 percent at 6pm. Data taken from the Election Commission’s official app .

EC’s capitulation before ‘Modi and gang’ obvious to all Indians: Rahul

From Electoral Bonds & EVMs to manipulating the election schedule, NaMo TV, “Modi’s Army” & now the drama in Kedarnath; the Election Commission’s capitulation before Mr Modi & his gang is obvious to all Indians.

The EC used to be feared & respected. Not anymore.

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) May 19, 2019

Lok Sabha election polling latest updates

7.27 people voted in seventh phase: EC

The Election Commission said that 7.27 crore people voted during the seventh phase of Lok Sabha election. The voters on Sunday included 3.47 crore women and 3,377 from the third gender.

Lok Sabha election polling latest updates

Polling ends for 542 seats, says EC

At a press conference, the Election Commission said that polling has concluded in 542 parliamentary constituencies across states and Union Territories.

State-wise voter turnout till 5 pm

Data from the Election Commission’s official app .

West Bengal election polling latest updates

BJP writes to West Bengal CEO over poll violence

BJP wrote to West Bengal Chief Electoral Officer, alleging that there were violent incidents in 9 parliamentary constituencies of the state.

BJP writes to Chief Electoral Officer West Bengal, alleging violent incidents in 9 parliamentary constituencies of the state. Letter states, "We have filed 417 complaints to ECI, out of which 227 were resolved, a whooping number of 190 complaints are unresolved"

— ANI (@ANI) May 19, 2019

West Bengal election polling latest updates

BJP’s Jadavpur candidate alleges TMC’s symbol was tweaked to misguide votes

Anupam Hazra, BJP Lok Sabha candidate from Jadavpur, alleges a special mark was put on TMC’s symbol in the Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) to misguide illiterate and semi-literate voters and indicate them to press that button. He said, “The presiding officer is trying to fool me saying he doesn’t know anything. I spoke to a few voters who said the presiding officer was whispering to them that they need to press the button which is inked. It’s clearly a pre-planned game.”

Kolkata: Anupam Hazra, BJP Lok Sabha candidate from Jadavpur, alleges a special mark was put on TMC's symbol in the Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) to misguide illiterate & semi-literate voters and indicate them to press that button. #WestBengal #LokSabhaElections2019 pic.twitter.com/6cAnNZBWOY

— ANI (@ANI) May 19, 2019

West Bengal election polling latest updates

Mamata slams BJP, central forces for ’torturing’ Bengal

After casting her vote, Mamata Banerjee lashed out at the BJP and central security forces for ’torturing’ West Bengal on Sunday.  “I have never seen anything like this before,” she said.

The torture that BJP workers and central forces have carried out today since the morning, is unprecedented. I have never seen anything like this before: @MamataOfficial after casting her vote

— All India Trinamool Congress (@AITCofficial) May 19, 2019

West Bengal election polling latest updates

Mamata Banerjee casts vote in Kolkata

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee after casting her vote for #LokSabhaElections2019 at a polling station in Kolkata. pic.twitter.com/jVDFPJytnh

— ANI (@ANI) May 19, 2019

Chandrababu Naidu meets Sonia Gandhi in New Delhi

TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu arrived at 10 Janpath to meet UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi. Earlier on Sunday, he met Congress president Rahul Gandhi and NCP chief Sharad Pawar.

Voting percentage latest updates

State-wise voter turnout till 4 pm

Data from the Election Commission’s official app .

Bihar election polling latest updates

‘Road nahi toh vote nahi’: Chiriyawan villagers boycott polls

Locals in Chiriyawan village in Jehanabad are boycotting the polls and holding a protest outside polling booth no. 236 “Road nahi to vote nahi (No road, no vote)… The MLA says our village is not on the map, so why would we vote.”

Gaya: Locals in Chiriyawan village in Jehanabad boycott polls & protest outside polling booth no. 236 ; say, "road nahi to vote nahi. We went to so many offices, but Govt didn't give 'No Objection Certificate'. MLA says our village is not in the map, so why would we vote". #Bihar pic.twitter.com/xLQFqiVqJI

— ANI (@ANI) May 19, 2019

Bihar election polling latest updates

Delhi BJP President Manoj Tiwari cast his vote at Kaimur, under Sasaram Lok Sabha constituency.

By Ganesh Prasad/101Reporters

Bihar election polling latest updates

RJD MLA from Fatuha Ramanand Yadav under house arrest till voting ends.

RJD MLA from Fatuha Ramanand Yadav confirmed the order and said, “I had gone to vote at around 9 am in the morning to Maujipir booth when SP rural told me that I should not come out of my house until vote ends.”

He further told that when he was returning after casting his vote another police officer came to him and said that he should not come out of his house until the end of voting process.  According to poll officers, the step was taken after he was seen roaming with a huge crowd of supporters.

Umesh Kumar Ray/101Reporters

West Bengal election polling latest updates

Yechury alleges ‘massive rigging’ in Diamond Harbour, Dum Dum, North Kolkata
CPM general-secretary Sitaram Yechury wrote on Twiter: “Massive rigging including in Diamond Harbour, Dum Dum, North Kolkata. There are no central forces, no efforts to stop the hijacking of democracy. The EC cannot merely watch it needs to intervene decisively. It is the people resisting this violence and wresting back their rights.”

He also said that this has been the “most disappointing overseeing of polls in independent India by the Election Commission”.

The reason advanced for the long-drawn seven phases was “free and fair” polls. This has been the most disappointing overseeing of polls in independent India by the Election Commission. https://t.co/4SAGud3ql4

— Sitaram Yechury (@SitaramYechury) May 19, 2019

Bihar election polling latest updates

Police official attacked for stopping bogus voting in Arrah

Police official on polling duty allegedly attacked for stopping bogus voting at polling booth 49 in Arrah. 

Bihar: Police official on polling duty allegedly attacked for stopping bogus voting at polling booth 49 in Arrah. ADM (pic3) says,"We received info of stone pelting but there has been no disturbance in voting, some ppl might have tried to create trouble, they've been chased out" pic.twitter.com/EeTF3tjCUu

— ANI (@ANI) May 19, 2019

Voting percentage latest updates

State-wise breakdown of the voter turnout till 3.30 pm

Data from the Election Commission’s official app .

Bihar election voting latest updates

Conjoined sisters cast two votes

Conjoined sisters Shaba and Farah cast their votes separately at their local booth in Digha area under Pataliputra Lok Sabha seat.

In the 2015 Assembly election they had cast only one vote. Upon their insistence, and according to EC officials, both names were put on one voter card so that they can vote separately. 

On Sunday, the conjoined sisters reached their booth and exercised their franchise.

Umesh Kumar Ray/101Reporters

Bihar election voting latest updates

Three people held for assaulting cops at booth

At Kaimur in Bihar, three people assaulted police officers on booth number 67, at Bhabhua. One was injured. Voting was haulted for an hour. Kaimur SP has  confirmed the arrest of criminals.

Ganesh Prasad/101Reporters

Nitish Kumar condemns Pragya Singh Thakur’s Godse remark

Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar on Sunday condemned BJP candidate Pragya Singh Thakur for calling Nathuram Godse a “patriot”, asserting that his party JD(U), an ally of BJP, will not tolerate any remark in support of Mahatma Gandhi’s assassin.

“It is condemnable, we don’t agree with such views. Mahatma Gandhi is the father of the nation. Suspending her from the party is their own matter. Giving a reaction or taking action is an internal matter of their party. As much as we are concerned, we will not tolerate this kind of view,” he told reporters in Patna after casting his vote for the Lok Sabha polls.

Bihar election voting latest updates

Six villages in Buxar boycott elections

Six villages in Sadar block — Balua, Govindpur, Karai, Pulia, Balrampur and Koderma — under Buxar Lok Sabha constituency have boycotted elections as roads have not been constructed in the area. Zero votes were cast in booths number 157, 162, 168, 169 and 177 until 12 o’clock. District Magistrate Raghvendra said that he had appealed to the residents to vote, but they were adamant.

By Ganesh Prasad/101Reporters

Villagers boycott polls across states

Irked with the Hata Sugar Mill for not purchasing produce from farmers, villagers of Naika Chhapra in Kushinagar have boycotted the polls and instead registered their protest by bringing sugarcanes in tractors to polling booths. 

In Bihar’s Nalanda, villagers of Badhari in Rajgir boycotted elections over unconstructed roads. The presiding officer, Mohammad Avid Hussain, visited people at their homes to ask to vote.

Ganesh Prasad and Gopal Giri/ 101Reporters

Bihar election voting latest updates

Nalanda villagers beat up poll officer

Irked over not having roads in the area, residents of Chandaura village of Rajgir district, part of Nalanda Lok Sabha constituency, allegedly beat up a poll officer. Villagers were protesting against the election and called for a boycott. Block Development Officer, Ranjan Lal Nigam reached the village to convince voters. The villagers have also damaged EVM machines of Chandaura booth number 299.

Manish Chandra Mishra/101Reporters

Bihar election voting latest updates

Rohtas observer removes all officials over discrepancies

An observer of Sasaram Lok Sabha constituency removed all deployed election officers including the presiding officer at Khurmabad booth. This was because after inspection he found that the register and EVM did not match.

Ganesh Prasad/ 101Reporters

Madhya Pradesh election voting latest updates

Poll official suspended for negligence of duty

An employee of Madhya Pradesh Electricity Distribution company, Ramesh Ratan was suspended over charges of negligence in election duty in Khandwa. He didn’t arrange for facilities like drinking water in the booth. CEO of local body Punasa Rakesh Tiwari has issued a suspension order after finding he was negligent while carrying out his duty.

Manish Chandra Mishra/101Reporters

Jharkhand election voting latest updates

Jamtara villagers boycott polls

Villagers of Baag Dhara under Jamtara Assembly constituency in Jharkhand boycotted the polls, protesting lack of basic amenities like handpumps and roads in their village. Senior officials of district administration have promised speedy resolution of their grievances and had been trying to persuade the protesters to vote. Jamtara is under the Dumka parliamentary constituency which is witnessing a high voltage political duel between Jharkhand Mukti Morcha president Shibu Soren and Bhartiya Janata Party’s Sunil Soren.

Anand Dutta/101Reporters

TDP moves EC over Narendra Modi’s Kedarnath visit

After TMC, the TDP has approached the Election Commission, alleging poll code violation by Narendra Modi over his Kedarnath visit. CNN-News18 quoted TDP president Chandrababu Naidu as saying in his letter to the EC that Modi was “canvassing in disguise”.

According to ANI, the letter said: “Modi has gone to Badrinath and Kedarnath on an official visit. All the private activities done by him during his pilgrimage are being displayed and continuously telecast, which is a clear violation of the MCC.”

Punjab election voting latest updates

Sangrur sees clash between Congress workers

Polling had to be stopped for half an hour at Eelwal village of Sangrur Lok Sabha constituency when two factions of Congress workers clashed with each other outside the polling station. Three persons were injured have been admitted to a hospital. The clash took place between loyalists of local Congress factions.

Sukhcharan Sukhi/101Reporters

Madhya Pradesh election voting latest updates

Silence looms at voting centres in Mandsaur 

High mercury levels kept voters out of polling booths in Madhya Pradesh’s Mandaur. A case in point is the booth in the photograph, where polling officials sat amidst non-activity as the day progressed. 

By Nemichand Rathore/101Reporters

Punjab election polling latest updates

Dalit voters in Sangrur villages claim they voted ‘NOTA’ for being ignored by successive govts

The Dalit community in many villages of Sangrur LS constituency claimed they pressed NOTA. Zameen Prapti Sangharsh Committee (ZPSC) led the campaign in Malwa belt of Punjab asking Dalits who have been ignored by successive governments to press NOTA.

Gurpreet Singh, member of Sangrur district committee, said, “As the successive state governments have failed to provide a part of common land in all villages to the Dalit community, it was decided that the community members will press NOTA.” 

As per the rules, one third of panchayat land had to be reserved for members of Dalit community for agricultural purposes. The land is alloted through auction for one year.

By Sukhcharan Preet/101Reporters

West Bengal election polling latest updates

TMC candidates Madan Mitra’s car attacked in North 24 Parganas

TMC leaders Madan Mitra was allegedly attacked in Kankinara in North 24 Parganas. CNN-News18 reported that crude bombs and bricks were hurled at Madan’s car, after which BJP and TMC cadres clashed in the area.

Voting percentage latest updates

State-wise voter turnout for final phase till 3 pm

West Bengal election polliing latest updates

Rahul Sinha’s convoy blocked in Kolkata

TMC workers held protests against BJP’s North Kolkata candidate Rahul Sinha in Kolkata and blocked the BJP leader’s convoy, according to reports.

Madhya Pradesh election voting latest updates

Indore booth-level officer accused of placing BJP flag in booth

Former MLA Satya Narayan Patel has filed a complaint with the District Election Officer alleging that a booth-level officer had placed a flag of BJP inside the polling booth. The booth which the BLO is attached to is situated at Badi Gwaltoli ward number 48, part of Indore Lok Sabha constituency.

Manish Chandra Mishra/101Reporters

Madhya Pradesh election voting latest updates

Polling officer faints in Indore heat

Polling officer Shashi Kumar Gauhar fainted at Indore’s booth number 207 while voting was on today. Dr Meena Sisodia, who was present at the booth performed cardio-pulmonary resuscitation on her after which he gained consciousness. The officer was later sent to the district hospital for further treatment.

Manish Chandra Mishra/101Reporters

Uttar Pradesh election polling latest updates

Garda Jungel villagers boycott polls over drinking water

Voters at the Garda Jungel village are boycotting the polls over issue of drinking water. The village is located in Robertsganj Lok Sabha area in Sonbhadra district.

By Sunil Tiwari/101Reporters

Uttar Pradesh election latest updates

SP delegation complains to EC over ‘unfair elections’

A delegation of the Samajwadi Party met Election commission officials and complained about the “unfair elections in the state.” The delegation aprised the Commission about several incidents which they alleged were against democratic rules. Among the incidents SP mentioned were clashes between SP and BJP workers in Chandauli, the allegation that Dalit voters were paid Rs 500 by BJP workers and their fingers were inked and an alleged booth capturing attempt in Chandauli.

Yogesh Bharadwaj/101Reporters

West Bengal election polling latest updates

Central forces directly taking orders from BJP: TMC

In a statement, the TMC said, “Today, in Bengal, central forces are brutally torturing and intimidating common citizens, especially the marginalised. Even physically handicapped persons (are) being tortured. Central forces are also threatening voters ‘kamal dabao nahi toh thok dega’.

“Central forces are directly taking orders from the BJP candidates and party functionaries, clearly violating the orders of the Electon Commission. However, the Election Commission has not taken any action.”

𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗧𝗘𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧 𝗙𝗥𝗢𝗠 𝗧𝗥𝗜𝗡𝗔𝗠𝗢𝗢𝗟 𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗚𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗦 𝗔𝗧 𝟮 𝗣𝗠 pic.twitter.com/qLB58IAdfb

— All India Trinamool Congress (@AITCofficial) May 19, 2019

Jharkhand election polling latest updates

Poor arrangement for differently-abled, senior citizens in Shillangi force them to walk, cycle to polling booth

The district administration’s laxity in making arrangements for facilitating PwD (people with disabilities) voters, as mandated by Election Commission of India, was evident in hypersensitive, Naxal-affected Shilangi polling centre in the district, where elderly and specially-abled voters were forced to either walk or ride bicycles for as much as five kilometres to cast their vote.

By Anand Dutta/101Reporters

Uttar Pradesh election latest updates

SP delegation complains to EC over ‘unfair elections’

A delegation of the Samajwadi Party met Election commission officials and complained about the “unfair elections in the state.” The delegation aprised the Commission about several incidents which they alleged were against democratic rules. Among the incidents SP mentioned were clashes between SP and BJP workers in Chandauli, the allegation that Dalit voters were paid Rs 500 by BJP workers and their fingers were inked and an alleged booth capturing attempt in Chandauli.

Yogesh Bharadwaj/101Reporters

Punjab election voting latest updates

One person detained for posting photographs of voting 
 

The Chief Election Officer (CEO) of Punjab has asked the Ludhiana District Election Officer-cum-Deputy Commissioner Pradeep Kumar Agrawal to look into media reports on people posting photos of votes being cast on EVMs.

The District Administration has tracked down social media details of at least one person who shared a similar post. This information was then passed on to the Commissioner of Police, and the person was detained. Police are now investigating the matter.

Prabhjot Singh/101Reporters

Madhya Pradesh election voting latest updates

Khandwa voters donate blood

A special blood donation camp was set up at Khandwa by the JPB Club Blood Donation Group where voters are donating blood on the occasion of polling.

Manish Chandra Mishra/101Reporters

Voting percentage latest updates

Latest state-wise polling figures from EC

Data from the Election Commission’s official app .

Bihar election voting latest update

Police, villagers clash in Patna villager

A major clash was reported at Dulhin Bazar village of Patna where villagers allegedly attacked the police force at booth numbers 101 and 102. Police used mild force to disperse the mob. Villages alleged police of not allowing voters to cast their votes. A police source said that cops shot blanks in the air but officials are yet to confirm it.

Manish Chandra Mishra/101Reporters

Uttar Pradesh election voting latest updates

Polling centre 10 km away, 800 voters boycott polls

About 800 villagers from Shakateshgarh in Mirzapur have been boycotting the polls because the polling centre is 10 kilometres away from their village. The administration is trying its best to convince them but no one from the village has gone to vote yet.

Gopal Giri/101Reporters

Voting percentage latest updates

State-wise figures of voter turnout till 1.30 pm

Data from the Election Commission’s official app .

Bihar election voting latest updates

Poll officers missing after clash with voters

Two poll officers are missing after a major clash was reported at Dulhin Bazar village of Patna where villagers allegedly attacked the police force at booth numbers 101 and 102.

Manish Chandra Mishra/101Reporters

EVM malfunctions hold up polls across nation once again

EVM malfunctions have been reported from Pataliputra constituency’s Maner in Bihar since morning. Voting was haulted at booth number 181 since noon. Officials say machines will be repaired soon. In booth numbers 179, 180 and 181, no arrangements have been made for voters to avoid heat as they stand and wait while a power cut renders the booth functional.  

Voters have been waiting for more than half an hour at the Chakiya polling booth in Chandauli as the EVM has developed a fault and the master trainer is yet to reach the booth. Voting at Dhichorva polling booth number 294 in the same seat started with a delay of several hours.

Voting was also halted at booth number 205, part of Sasaram Lok Sabha constituency, due to EVM malfunction.

Voting began with a sizeable delay at booth numbers 281 and 296 in Kumhrar assembly segment, under Patna Sahib Lok Sabha seat. Locals alleged no officials had bothered to change the EVMs of Muslim majority booths even though the machines had not been working.
 

Ganesh Prasad, Umesh Kumar Ray, Santosh Kumar /101Reporters

Varanasi election voting latest updates

Ajay Rai says no development permanent in city

Congress’s Ajay Rai who is contesting against Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the parliamentary constituency of Varanasi, said after casting his vote at a polling booth here earlier on Sunday, “Work is being carried out in Varanasi on a temporary basis, nothing is permanent.”

Varanasi: Congress's Ajay Rai who is contesting against Prime Minister Narendra Modi in parliamentary constituency of Varanasi, said after casting his vote at a polling booth here earlier today, "work is being carried out in Varanasi on a temporary basis, nothing is permanent" pic.twitter.com/Lbwtgw2KEv

— ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) May 19, 2019

Kerala election voting latest updates

Women bare face for repolls after original voting marred by ‘bogus’ charge

Women voters turned up without face-covering veils to cast their votes in seven polling booths under Kasargod and Kannur constituencies in Kerala, where bogus voting was confirmed on 23 April. The ruling Communist Party of India (Marxist) had urged the Election Commission not to allow women with covered faces to cast their votes.

The commission had deputed women officials in all the booths to identify such women and facilitate their votes. Most of the booths recorded 50 percent polling till 1 pm. The polling in all these booths was above 80 percent in the 23 April polling. 

Photo by P Sasi

Punjab election voting latest updates

Amarinder votes, so does Navjot Singh Sidhu and Navjot Kaur Sidhu

On two sides of the Congress war in West Bengal, Punjab chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh and Congress leaders Navjot Singh Sidhu and his wife Navjot Kaur Sidhu all cast their votes on Sunday. While Amarinder voted at Patiala, the Sidhus voted in Amritsar.

Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh casts his vote at polling booth no. 89 in Patiala. #LokSabhaElections2019 #Phase7 #FinalPhase pic.twitter.com/cIDyyQlj29

— ANI (@ANI) May 19, 2019

Punjab Minister and Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu and his wife Navjot Kaur Sidhu, cast their votes at booth number-134 in Amritsar. #LokSabhaElections2019 #Phase7 #FinalPhase pic.twitter.com/6QZWqgqk0I

— ANI (@ANI) May 19, 2019

Uttar Pradesh election voting latest updates

Murli Manohar Joshi casts vote

Senior BJP leader Murali Manohar Joshi cast his vote at a polling booth in Varanasi. Joshi had requested to not be nominated as a BJP candidate amidst much controversy.

Senior BJP leader Murali Manohar Joshi casts his vote at a polling booth in Varanasi. #LokSabhaElections2019 #Phase7 #FinalPhase pic.twitter.com/IoJiYByLap

— ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) May 19, 2019

Jharkhand election voting latest updates

Pakur cop removed from poll duty after ‘pressurising’ voters to cast ballot for Jharkhand Mukti Morcha

Farid Alam, a police officer posted at booth number 11, Government Middle School, in Maheshpur block of Pakur in Jharkhand has been removed from poll duty with immediate effect by Deputy Commissioner-cum-District Electoral Officer, DC Chaudhary after he was accused of pressurising voters to vote for a particular candidate in the ongoing Lok Sabha election. After a protest by voters, the complaint was escalated to DC who removed Alam from the polling booth.

Anand Dutta/101Reporters

West Bengal election voting latest updates

Crude bomb explosion in north Kolkata

A crude bomb explosion took place in the Kolkata Uttar constituency in the Girish Park area, News18 reported. This is the first incident of a bomb blast in Kolkata. At least two incidents of crude-bombs being thrown were reported in the Barasat and Basirhat constituencies in the morning.

Extra personnel of central security forces have been deployed in the city, the report said. The BJP blamed the TMC for the incidents of violence. Nilanjan Roy, a BJP candidate for Diamond Harbour, was also allegedly attacked by TMC in Budge Budge.  

With inputs by A Ghose/101 Reporters

Voting percentage latest updates

Here are the latest state-wise figures on voter turnout

Data from the Election Commission’s official app .

Bihar election voting latest updates

Tej Pratap files FIR against journalist who ‘smashed’ his windshield, says his guards did nothing

Tej Pratap Yadav has alleged that his bouncers did not do anything. “I was leaving after casting my vote when a photographer hit the windscreen of my car. I have filed an FIR in the incident. A conspiracy is being hatched to kill me,” he said.

Tej Pratap Yadav in Patna, Bihar: My bouncers have not done anything. I was leaving after casting my vote when a photographer hit the windscreen of my car. I have filed an FIR in the incident. A conspiracy is being hatched to kill me. pic.twitter.com/60BAIbCxtB

— ANI (@ANI) May 19, 2019

Bihar election voting latest updates

Tej Pratap Yadav’s security guards beat up journalist who ‘smashed’ his windshield 

Tej Pratap Yadav’s personal security guards in Patna allegedly beat a camera person after he allegedly broke the windscreen of Yadav’s car. Tej Pratapwas leaving after casting his vote at Veterinary College in Pataliputra Lok Sabha constituency. The former RJD leader has filed an FIR in the incident.  According to eyewitnesses, Tej Pratap was travelling in an e-rickshaw which ran over the feet of a media person.  

With inputs from Manish Chandra Mishra/101Reporters

#WATCH Tej Pratap Yadav's personal security guards in Patna beat a camera person after he allegedly broke the windscreen of Yadav's car. Tej Pratap Yadav was leaving after casting his vote. Yadav has filed an FIR in the incident. #Bihar pic.twitter.com/u1KzKDCGBG

— ANI (@ANI) May 19, 2019

Himachal Pradesh election voting latest updates

WATCH: 102-year-old Shyam Saran Negi who first voted in 1951 casts ballot

#WATCH 102-yr old Shyam Saran Negi from Himachal Pradesh's Kalpa, casts his vote in #LokSabhaElections2019. He had cast the first vote in the 1951 general elections. pic.twitter.com/LYATWrRjB1

— ANI (@ANI) May 19, 2019

Punjab election voting latest updates

Amarinder says polling peaceful in state

Punjab chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh said by and large elections have been peaceful in Punjab, “One incident of murder was reported from Tarn-Taran but initial police report says it was a case of personal enmity. We will beat both Akali Dal and BJP.

Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh: By & large elections have been peaceful in the state, 1 incident of a murder was reported from Tarn-Taran but initial police report says it was a case of personal enmity; Law&Order situation is peaceful. We'll beat both BJP&Akali Dal pic.twitter.com/apQxLjxTw9

— ANI (@ANI) May 19, 2019

Jharkhand election voting latest updates

Disabled woman forced to crawl to reach booth

Sumitra Devi, a registered person with disability, was forced to almost crawl to reach a booth at Jamtara in Jharkhand, which lacked basic facilities for the disabled

#IndiaElections2019 | Sumitra Devi, a registered person with disability, was forced to almost crawl to reach a booth at Jamtara in #Jharkhand, which lacked basic facilities for the disabled. https://t.co/sia86S8DuF pic.twitter.com/t5DLtVHXkC

— Firstpost (@firstpost) May 19, 2019

Jharkhand election voting latest updates

Woman faints after standing in heat

In Jharkhand’s Rajmahal, a woman, who was waiting for her turn to vote at booth number 194 fainted in the heat. The woman was revived by fellow voters and polling officials who administered ORS to her.

Anand Dutta/101Reporters

In #Jharkhand's #Rajmahal, a woman, who was waiting for her turn to vote at booth number 194 fainted in the heat. Video by @101reporters. https://t.co/sia86S8DuF pic.twitter.com/pfkAtMUEc8

— Firstpost (@firstpost) May 19, 2019

Uttar Pradesh election voting latest updates

BJP leader Manoj Sinha casts vote

Union Minister and BJP leader Manoj Sinha cast his vote at a polling booth in Ghazipur.

Union Minister and BJP leader Manoj Sinha casts his vote at a polling booth in Ghazipur. pic.twitter.com/gw0IYhhqyV

— ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) May 19, 2019

Punjab election voting latest updates

Congress worker killed, family blames Akali Dal

A Congress worker was attacked with sharp edged weapons and killed as soon as he came out from the polling booth in village Sarhli of Khadoor Sahib constituency in Punjab. The deceased has been identified as Bunty. Victim’s family alleged that Shiromani Akali Dal workers attacked and killed Bunty. 

Siddharth Arora/101Reporters

Voting percentage latest updates

Here are the state-wise figures at noon

Data from the Election Commission’s official app .

Bihar election voting latest updates

People pelt stones at cops after long wait in queue 

In Ekona of Badhara in Bihar’s Arrah, booth numbers 49 and 50 saw voters who had stood in line to cast their votes for a long time in the heat, pelt stones at a police officer. A police officer was injured. Senior officials reached on time to bring the situation under control.

Ganesh Prasad/ 101 reporters

Uttar Pradesh election voting latest updates

SP alleges 300 Muslim voters’ names deleted

Samajwadi Party (SP) has alleged that as many as 300 Muslim voters names on the voter list at booth number 334, 335 and 336 in Chandauli have been deleted. The party has demanded action from the Election Commission.

Saurabh Sharma/101Reporters

Madhya Pradesh election voting latest updates
 

BJP, Congress workers clash in Ratlam

Two groups, belonging to BJP and Congress parties according to eyewitnesses, attacked each other with sticks near booth number 201 in Petlawad of Umarkot, which is a part of Ratlam Lok Sabha constituency. Police reached the spot and detained members of both parties. Workers of the two parties had gathered near the booth and started arguing over political issues.

Police said they used mild force to disperse the mob but denied that it was a clash among rival members parties.

Manish Chandra Mishra/101Reporters

Varanasi election voting latest updates

Shalini Yadav performs pujas before setting out to vote

Gathbandhan candidate Shalini Yadav who is contesting against Prime Minister Narendra Modi from Varanasi performed pujas at her house before going to cast her vote.

Gopal Giri/101Reporters

#LokSabhaElections2019 | Gathbandhan candidate #ShaliniYadav who is contesting against PM #NarendraModi from #Varanasi performed pujas at her house before going to cast her vote. https://t.co/M1HvgmWnL5 pic.twitter.com/HJJ9Pl1EK8

— Firstpost (@firstpost) May 19, 2019

Bihar election voting latest updates

BJP Pataliputra candidate alleges booth capturing

BJP candidate from Pataliputra parliamentary constituency, Ram Kripal Yadav has filed a complaint with Election Commission alleging booth capturing in his constituency. He says that some people are threatening voters and trying to capture the booths. He also alleged that his party workers are being beaten up and their vehicles were vandalised.

Manish Chandra Mishra/101Reporters

Uttar Pradesh election voting latest updates

BJP workers buying Dalit votes, alleges SP, BSP workers

At Chandauli, SP and BSP workers late last night staged a sit-in at the Alinagar police station alleging that BJP workers had allegedly been inking and distributing Rs 500 each to Dalit voters in  Tarajeevanpur village. Police have begun investigating the case. Meanwhile, these villagers have been scared to cast their votes fearing they will be ousted from the booths.

Santosh Kumar/101Reporters

Madhya Pradesh election polling latest updates

Two govt employees on poll duty die in MP

Two government employees engaged in election duty died in separate incidents in Madhya Pradesh, an official said on Sunday. Garu Singh Chogad, who was deployed at the Jalwat polling booth in Dhar Lok Sabha constituency, died after suffering a heart failure on Sunday morning, state’s Chief Electoral Officer VL Kantha Rao told reporters.

PTI

West Bengal election voting latest updates

Anupam Hazra’s car ‘vandalised’ after BJP candidate alleges booth capturing by TMC

BJP MP candidate Anupam Hazra has alleged that TMC workers were covering their faces at a Jadavpur booth and giving proxy votes. Shortly after he made this allegation, Hazra said TMC goons have beaten up a BJP mandal president, a driver and attacked a car. Hazra’s own car was also allegedly attacked. “We also rescued our three polling agents. TMC goons were going to carry out rigging at 52 booths. People are eager to vote for BJP but they are not allowing people to vote,” he said.

BJP MP candidate Anupam Hazra in Jadavpur: TMC goons have beaten up a BJP mandal president, a driver&attacked a car. We also rescued our 3 polling agents.TMC goons were going to carry out rigging at 52 booths. People are eager to vote for BJP but they are not allowing ppl to vote pic.twitter.com/7qlRPg73HA

— ANI (@ANI) May 19, 2019

Chandauli election voting latest updates

Clash between Samajwadi Party, BJP workers

Clashes were reported between Samajwadi Party and BJP supporters over voting first in Chandauli’s Parahupur polling booth. Police have brought the situation under control now.

Santosh Kumar/101Reporters

#VotingRound7 | Clashes broke out between #SamajwadiParty and #BJP supporters over who would get to vote first in #Chandauli's Parahupur polling booth. https://t.co/oBTvQ20SGP pic.twitter.com/7bDAKv14l3

— Firstpost (@firstpost) May 19, 2019

Mau election voting latest updates

Sanegpur voters boycott polls

Villagers in Sanegpur which comes under the Pardaha development block have boycotted the polls owing to non-development of their area. The villagers have alleged that there are no motorable roads in  the village and no facility of drainage. The villager said that they have complained it to the administration but to no avail. There are 1,284 voters in the village.

Yogesh Bharadwaj/101Reporters

Voting percentage latest updates

State-wise polling figures till 11.30

Data from the Election Commission’s official app

Bihar election voting latest updates

Man listed as woman in voter list

A man was listed as a woman in the voter identification list in Karakat Lok Sabha constituency in Bihar. Sarju Bhagat, a resident of Mahuaw village, can be seen displaying his voting slip. He was not allowed to vote.

Vidya Sagar/101Reporters

Bihar election voting latest updates

RJD MLA’s supporters clash with police

Supporters of RJD MLA Saroj Yadav allegedly engaged in a clash with the police at booth number 99 in Badhara, part of Arrah Lok Sabha constituency. Saroj Yadav also reached booth after being informed about the issue.

Few minutes after the incident, unidentified people pelted stones on police at booth number 49 and 50 in the same area. One constable and an assistant sub-inspector of police were injured. People had complained to authorities of bogus voting.

Manish Chandra Mishra/101Reporters

Uttar Pradesh election voting latest updates

Gas cylinder catches fire in booth

A LPG cylinder caught fire at booth number 237/238 at Sakaldiha in Uttar Pradesh. The incident happened while food was being prepared and due to gas leakage. The fire was doused in 15 minutes with the efforts of locals.

Santosh Kumar/ 101Reporters

Uttar Pradesh election voting latest updates

Boycotts in nine places

People have boycotted elections at 9 places in today’s polling across Uttar Pradesh and efforts are by authorities to convince voters to exercise their franchise, says Election officer BD Tiwari in Lucknow.

Saurabh Sharma/101Reporters

Madhya Pradesh election voting latest updates

MLA votes with 100-year-old mother

Mahendra Hardia, an MLA from Indore, cast his vote at the polling booth in Agrasen Square with his 100-year-old mother.

K Kotawal/101Reporters

West Bengal election polling latest updates

Anupam Hazra alleged proxy votes by TMC 

BJP MP candidate Anupam Hazra alleged that TMC workers were covering their faces at a Jadavpur booth and giving proxy votes. 

BJP MP candidate Anupam Hazra at polling booth number 150/137 in Jadavpur: Women TMC workers with covered faces are casting proxy votes, it is difficult to establish their identity. When we raised objection to it, they created a ruckus at the polling station. pic.twitter.com/Grf3rwoVc6

— ANI (@ANI) May 19, 2019

Madhya Pradesh election voting latest updates

Security forces help old, infirm

In Mandsaur of Madhya Pradesh deployed Central force personnel in polling stations were seen helping the aged voters by assisting them to the booths. At many booths, arrangement of chairs, sofas, drinking water, tents and fans have been made.

Nemichand Rathore/101 reporters

Bihar election voting latest updates

3 assault cops at booth, held

Three people assaulted police officers at booth number 67 in Bhabhua of Sasaram in Bihar. One police officer was injured. Voting was halted for an hour. The Kaimur SP has confirmed arrest of criminals.

Ganesh Prasad/ 101 reporters

Bihar election voting latest updates

Nitish complains of drawn out polls in the heat

Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar cast his vote at the voting booth at the Secretariat building in Patna. He said voting should be held in either one or two phases. He proposed that voting should be conducted in the months of February-March or October-November.

Bihar election voting latest updates

MCC violations reported as voters click photos of EVMs

Violations of the poll code were reported in Jehanabad Lok Sabha constituency in Bihar as voters there took photos of the EVM and VVPAT slips and posted them on social media.

Vidya Sagar/101Reporters

Voting percentage latest updates

State-wise figures of polling percentage

Data from the Election Commission’s official app

Bihar election voting latest updates

Tejashwi Yadav’s photo replaced with unknown man’s in Pataliputra

RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav’s photo has been replaced with someone else’s on the voter identification list at the Veterinary College booth, where Rabri Devi and Misa Bharti voted and where he will vote in the Pataliputra Lok Sabha constituency. Polling officials have said that Tejashwi will not be facing problems when he comes in to vote. An investigation on the goof-up is underway.

Vidya Sagar/101Reporters

Himachal Pradesh election voting latest update

State chief minister, MP Anurag Thakur, BJP leader Prem Kumar Dhumal cast vote

Himachal Pradesh chief minister Jairam Thakur cast his vote at polling station number 36 in Mandi district. Meanwhile, BJP MP Anurag Thakur and BJP leader Prem Kumar Dhumal waited in queue outside a polling booth in Hamirpur, to cast their votes.

Himachal Pradesh CM Jairam Thakur casts his vote at polling station number 36 in Mandi district. pic.twitter.com/lQsrG66nKx

— ANI (@ANI) May 19, 2019

Himachal Pradesh: BJP MP Anurag Thakur and BJP leader Prem Kumar Dhumal wait in queue outside a polling booth in Hamirpur, to cast their votes. #LokSabhaElections2019 pic.twitter.com/7DxjikG8ht

— ANI (@ANI) May 19, 2019

Basirhat election voting latest update

Bombing reported in Bengal constituency

Even though polling began peacefully in violence-torn West Bengal, an incident of bombing was reported outside Deganga’s booth number 66/67. It has been alleged that some unidentified men came riding a bike, hurled a few bombs and as soon as forces rushed in, left the bike there and fled away.
 

Tollywood actress Nusrat Jahan, the Basirhat candidate, has arrived to cast her vote.

A Ghose/101 Reporters

#VotingRound7 had begun in #WestBengal with relative peace. However, blasts have been reported from #Basirhat's #Deganga now. #BJP candidate Chandra Bose has said #TMC workers had been threatening his party poll agents across the state. https://t.co/TCZ4Rmy1YH pic.twitter.com/AESzQpmkhJ

— Firstpost (@firstpost) May 19, 2019

West Bengal election voting latest updates

Mohammad Salim casts vote in Kolkata 

Mohammed Salim, CPM candidate from Raiganj Parliamentary constituency, cast his vote at a polling booth in St. Thomas’ Girls School in Kolkata

West Bengal: Mohammed Salim, CPI (Marxist) candidate from Raiganj Parliamentary constituency, casts his vote at a polling booth in St. Thomas' Girls School, Kolkata. #LokSabhaElection2019 pic.twitter.com/iUw5kQvlDz

— ANI (@ANI) May 19, 2019

News18-IPSOS exit poll used four stages of multi-sampling as part of its methodology

After the final phase is over, News18 — with research partner IPSOS — will present its exit poll to its viewers. To predict the number of seats likely to be won by each party or alliance, a total of 199 parliamentary constituencies were selected out of 543. Within the Parliamentary constituencies, 796 Assembly constituencies were selected, and 4,776 individual polling station areas were selected for conducting interviews.

In each polling station, around 25 voters were randomly selected depending on the terrain and voter turnouts in that particular polling station. A total of 1,21,542 voters were interviewed from 199 parliamentary constituencies. Multi-sampling process was adopted for the selection of parliamentary constituencies, Assembly constituencies and polling stations.

Kerala election voting latest updates

In Kannur, Kasargod, controversy over veils rage on

Polling officials are allowing women voters wearing face-covering veils inside seven polling booths under Kannur and Kasargod constituencies where Election Commission has ordered re-polling following confirmation of bogus voting in the polling on 23 April. The poll panel had, however, stressed that people will be allowed to vote only after their faces are verified to prevent bogus voting.

In addition to regular officials manning the booths, reserve teams of officials have been deployed outside the booths. The issue had kicked off a controversy with the ruling Communist Party of India (Marxist) Kannur secretary MV Jayarajan urging the Election Commission not to allow women voters wearing face-covering veils to cast their vote unless they show their faces in polling booths. The Opposition parties, including the Bharatiya Janata Party had termed Jayarajan’s remark as communal.

Voting percentage latest updates

State-wise break-up of the voter turnout till 9.45 am

Data from the Election Commission’s official app

Madhya Pradesh election voting latest updates

At Mandsaur, 1,000 boycott polls

The elections were boycotted by nearly 1000 voters of village Babrecha in Mandsaur who cited poor condition of roads. They have refuse to vote until the District Collector offers them a solution.

Nemichand Rathore/ 101Reporters

#LokSabhaElections2019 | Nearly 1,000 voters of Babrecha in #Mandsaur are boycotting #VotingRound7, citing poor condition of roads and the government's apathy in fixing them. Follow LIVE updates of polling in #MadhyaPradesh here: https://t.co/TCZ4Rmy1YH pic.twitter.com/XgU7EY2qUy

— Firstpost (@firstpost) May 19, 2019

Gorakhpur election voting latest updates

Polling official dies in booth

One Rajaram posted at the booth number 381 Pipraich in Gorakhpur died while the polling was underway. He was an asthma patient.

Gaurav Tripathi/101Reporters

Madhya Pradesh election voting latest updates

Kailash Vijayvargiya casts vote

BJP leader Kailash Vijayvargiya cast his vote with his family at booth number 10 in Government school, Nanda Nagar lane, part of Indore Lok Sabha constituency. His son and MLA Akash Vijayvargiya was also with him.

Manish Chandra Mishra/101Reporters

Madhya Pradesh: BJP leader Kailash Vijayvargiya casts his vote at polling booth number 316 in Indore. pic.twitter.com/22hMLkFN7H

— ANI (@ANI) May 19, 2019

Chandigarh election voting updates

Pawan Bansal casts vote

Congress MP Candidate from Chandigarh, Pawan Kumar Bansal cast his vote at booth number 228 at Government Model High School in Sector 28 C. 

Chandigarh: Congress MP Candidate from Chandigarh, Pawan Kumar Bansal casts his vote at booth no 228, Government Model High School, Sector 28 C. #LokSabhaElections2019 pic.twitter.com/2nlTdGNfQW

— ANI (@ANI) May 19, 2019

West Bengal election voting latest updates

Chandra Bose alleges TMC threatened BJP booth agents

BJP’s South Kolkata candidate Chandra Kumar Bose has said there is no distinction between Bengal’s ruling TMC and a terrorist organisation. “Last night, I was getting calls from my workers from different booths who were saying that they have been threatened by TMC’s  ‘jihadi’ brigade that if you sit as booth agents for BJP, you’ll be murdered,” he said.

Tamil Nadu byelection voting latest updates

103-year-old casts vote

A 103-year-old woman has cast her vote in Sulur for byelection to the Sulur Assembly constituency.

Tamil Nadu: A 103-year-old woman has cast her vote in Sulur for by-election to the Sulur assembly constituency. pic.twitter.com/CZNK7fdaFE

— ANI (@ANI) May 19, 2019

Voting percentage latest updates

State-wise break-up of the voter turnout till 9.45 am

Data from the Election Commission’s official app

Jharkhand leads turnout figures, urban Punjab sees weak polling

Jharkhand has so far led the footfall of voters, with 11.05 percent voter turnout recorded at 9.20 am.

Polling booths in urban areas of Ludhiana constituency witnessed low footfall in the early hours of voting. Punjab recorded one of the the lowest voter turnout figures, along with hilly Himachal Pradesh, at around 9.20 am.

Follow live updates of the voter turnout percentages through the day here.

With inputs by Prabhjot Singh/101Reporters

Kerala election voting latest updates

CPM workers found responsible for ‘bogus voting’ in Kerala

Four workers of the ruling Communist Party of India (Marxist), including a panchayat member, and three of the Indian Union Muslim League, a constituent of the Congress-led UDF were found by the Election Commission to have engaged in bogus voting in the polls on 23 April . The poll panel has ordered police cases to be registered against all of them. Fake voting was confirmed with the help of the webcast machinary present in the booths.

Kerala election voting latest updates

Kasargod, Kannur repolling takes off amidst heavy security

Voting in seven booths under the Kannur and Kasargod constituencies in Kerala, where bogus voting in the polling on 23 April was confirmed by election commission is on with heavy security. More than 100 police officials have been posted in and around each booth to ensure free and fair voting. Voters had started queuing up before booths hours before polling to cast their votes. One of the early voters at Pilathara booth under Kasargod constituency was a woman, whose vote in the polling on 23 April was cast by a bogus voter.

Mandsaur election voting latest updates

Uttar Pradesh villagers boycott polls

Residents of Babrecha village, under Mandsaur Lok Sabha constituency in Madhya Pradesh have boycotted the polls over demands of road construction in the area. About 1,000 angry villagers have resolved to not vote until the District Collector agrees to their demands.

Nemichand Rathore/101Reporters

Uttar Pradesh election voting latest updates

Villagers boycott polls in Mau, Kushinagar

Villagers of Sanegpur and Pardahapur in Mau have boycotted the elections over non development of the area.

Meanwhile, sugarcane farmers at booth number 64 and 65 in Kushinagar district have boycotted the polls over non-payment of dues. Senior officials have reached the spot and are requesting them to vote.

 Ashok Kumar and Azeem Mirza/101Reporters

Voting percentage latest updates

State-wise break-up of the voter turnout till 9.20 am

Data from the Election Commission’s official app

Madhya Pradesh election voting latest updates

In Mandsaur, a solution for mothers

Husaina, a young mother in Mandsaur of Madhya Pradesh was delighted to discover that her seven-month-old had a dedicated children’s play area to sit in, at booth number 40. The area comes equipped with Anganwadi workers and toys.

Nemichand Rathore/ 101 reporters

Madhya Pradesh election voting latest updates

Voters take bullock cart to polling booth

Voters of Kavatiyapani, part of Dewas Lok Sabha constituency, reached the polling booth in their bullock cart as it is nearly three kilometres away from their village. They reside in Kavatiyapani but the booth is situated in Palasi village.

Manish Chandra Mishra/101Reporters

Punjab election voting latest updates

Manish Tewari casts vote in Ludhiana

Former Union minister and Congress candidate from Anandpur Sahib Lok Sabha constituency Manish Tewari cast his vote in Ludhiana.

Prabhjot Singh/101Reporters

Madhya Pradesh election voting latest updates

BJP leader rides to cast vote

BJP leader and MLA Paras Jain reached the polling booth on his cycle and cast his vote in Ujjain.

Manish Chandra Mishra/101Reporters

Bihar election polling latest updates

Ravi Shankar Prasad casts vote

Union minister and BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad cast his vote at booth number 77 in Patna Women’s College.

Bihar: Union Minister and BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad arrives to cast his vote at booth no. 77 in Patna Women's College. pic.twitter.com/RRR2RJrdCR

— ANI (@ANI) May 19, 2019

Technical snags lead to lengthening queues across Uttar Pradesh, Bihar

EVM glitches have affected polling in Mirzapur and Kushinagar in Uttar Pradesh. Voting at booth number 263 and booth number 183 of Kushinagar, and booth number 322 and booth number 257 of Mirzapur could not be started owing to the EVM developing technical snags even as a large number of people have reached both the polling booths to exercise their franchise. 

In Bihar, voting has been halted at booth number 8, under Patna Sahib Lok Sabha constituency due to EVM malfunctions.

EVM malfunctions were reported at booth number 64-65 under Indore Lok Sabha constituency, in Madhya Pradesh where voters are waiting in the queue as the EVM is yet to be replaced. Poll officers have replaced an EVM at booth number 295 after it was found defective during the mock polls.

Vidya Sagar,  Azeem Mirza, Gaurav Tripathi, Manish Chandra Mishra and Ashok Shukla/101Reporters

EVM problems chase Election Commission, poll officials across constituencies

Voting has still not begun at booth number 29, under Arrah Lok Sabha constituency in Bihar, due to EVM malfunction.
 

At Bihar’s Chandauli, voting has been halted for more than an hour at Fattepur’s booth number 35 and Chakiya Development Block’s booth number 274 owing to EVM glitches. 
 

Voting could not be started at booth number 108 in Uttar Pradesh’s Mau as EVMs there have developed some sort of snag. EC officials are replacing the machines.  

Polling has just resumed at booth number 155 in Madhya Vidyalaya Beni Bigha, under Patliputra constituency after 40 minutes after a malfunctioning EVM was replaced. Voters allege that poll officers reached the booth 20 minutes late and found the glitch in the machine.

Manish Chandra Mishra, Santosh Kumar, Vinay Srivastava /101Reporters

Madhya Pradesh election voting latest updates

EVM glitch found after poll officials apply ink 

A malfunction was reported on the EVM machine after polling staff put ink marks on 11 people at Sirpur polling booth number 257. The 11 can no longer vote now. Congress leaders Golu Agnihotri and Vivek Pawar have raised this issue with poll officers and lodged a complaint to the District Election Officer over phone, after which polling resumed. 

Manish Chandra Mishra/101Reporters

Punjab election voting latest updates

WATCH: BJP’s Gurdaspur candidate Sunny Deol visits a booth in the Fatehgarh Churian area.

Gurpreet Chawla/101Reporters

#IndiaElections2019 | #BJP's #Gurdaspur candidate #SunnyDeol visited a booth in the Fatehgarh Churian area. Follow LIVE updates of #VotingRound7 in Punjab here: https://t.co/ywF2fNJfZS pic.twitter.com/X2kZxWwKbE

— Firstpost (@firstpost) May 19, 2019

Bihar election voting latest updates

EVM glitches hold up polling

The poll process was halted at Fatuha’s Sitjainchak school booth number 185, under Patna Sahib Lok Sabha seat, as a technical glitch was found in the EVM. The machine is being replaced.

Manish Chandra Mishra/101Reporters

West Bengal election voting latest updates

Mamata’s nephew threatens to ‘drag PM to court’

West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee’s nephew and the Trinamool Congress’s candidate from Diamond Harbour Abhishek Banerjee cast his vote at polling booth number 208 in South Kolkata Parliamentary constituency. After casting his ballot Abhishek emerged with criticism for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and said “Watever he (the PM) said in his meeting on 15 May in Diamond Harbour, he has to substantiate those statements with ample proof and justify what he said. If he fails to do so I’ll sue him in the criminal and defamation cases. I’ll drag him to the court and do the needful.”

West Bengal: CM Mamata Banerjee's nephew & TMC leader, Abhishek Banerjee casts his vote at polling booth no. 208 in South Kolkata Parliamentary Constituency. pic.twitter.com/PLmTu7HpHH

— ANI (@ANI) May 19, 2019

Madhya Pradesh election voting latest updates

EVM glitch reported from Indore

EVM glitches were reported from booth number 107 in Mahesh Yadav Nagar and booth number 206, part of Indore Lok Sabha constituency. The poll process has been halted as the machines are being replaced. Voters are waiting in a long queue.

Manish Chandra Mishra/101Reporters

West Bengal election voting latest updates

Kolkata candidates Rahul Sinha, Chandra Bose cast votes

BJP Lok Sabha candidate from South Kolkata parliamentary constituency, CK Bose cast his vote at a polling booth in City College, in Kolkata. Kolkata North BJP candidate Rahul Sinha cast his vote at polling booth in Bijoygarh Shikshaniketan for Girls, in Jadavpur.

West Bengal: BJP Lok Sabha candidate from South Kolkata parliamentary constituency, CK Bose casts his vote at a polling booth in City College, in Kolkata pic.twitter.com/MZAKmrrUvm

— ANI (@ANI) May 19, 2019

West Bengal: Kolkata North BJP candidate Rahul Sinha casts his vote at polling booth in Bijoygarh Shikshaniketan For Girls, in Jadavpur. pic.twitter.com/q2dtJGB3gf

— ANI (@ANI) May 19, 2019

Varanasi election voting latest updates

Reports of EVM glitches arrive from across constituency

The Parliamentary constituency, currently held by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is currently witnessing a steady trickle of voters but news of EVMs developing technical snags and keeping them waiting in queues has been arriving from across the constituency. The EVMs at booth number 42, 70 and 43 have developed glitches, leading to delays in polling there.

Azeem Mirza/ 101Reporters.

Punjab election voting latest updates

Harbhajan Singh stands in queue

Cricketer Harbhajan Singh was clicked waiting in queue to cast his vote at a polling booth in Jalandhar’s Garhi village.

#Punjab: Cricketer Harbhajan Singh waits in queue to cast his vote at a polling booth in Jalandhar's Garhi village. pic.twitter.com/Fo2triU623

— ANI (@ANI) May 19, 2019

Bihar election voting latest updates

Sushil Modi casts vote

Bihar deputy chief minister and BJP leader Sushil Modi cast his vote at booth number 49 in Patna.

#LokSabhaElections2019 : Bihar Deputy CM Sushil Modi casts his vote at booth number 49 in Patna. pic.twitter.com/Blwg9EThAX

— ANI (@ANI) May 19, 2019

Uttar Pradesh election voting latest updates

Adityanath confident of 74 and more seats for BJP in state

Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath, while talking to media in Gorakhpur, said that the BJP is going to win “74 plus seats” in the state and will get over 300 seats on its own in the entire country.

Gaurav Tripathi/101Reporters

Madhya Pradesh election voting latest updates

BJP files complaint against Congress leader for Twitter activity

BJP has filed a complaint against Congress leader Shobha Oza to the Election Commission for appealing to people to vote for Congress on Twitter even after the completion of allowed time frame for campaigning.

Manish Chandra Mishra/101Reporters

Madhya Pradesh election voting latest updates

Special air-conditioned polling station boasts of many incentives 

A special air-conditioned polling station has been set up by Indore Municipal Corporation and district administration with the help of Indore Management Association. There is a kids’ zone, safety locker, ambulance arrangements, RO water cooler, snacks along with cool drinks (for those on duty) to beat the heat. IMA president Santosh Muchhal said that special vehicle arrangements have been made to ferry physically disabled people.

K Kotwal/101Reporters

Madhya Pradesh election voting latest updates

EVM malfunctions halts polling in Khargone

An EVM machine was found malfunctioning at booth number 57 in Dagdibai Girls School, under Khargone Lok Sabha constituency. The machine is currently being replaced and polling has been halted.

Manish Chandra Mishra/101Reporters

Gorakhpur election voting latet updates

All eyes on Ravi Kishen as he fights gathbandhan’s Ram Bhuval Nishad

Gorakhpur is one of the VIP constituencies going to polls today and will be very keenly watched owing to the fight between BJP’s Ravi Kishan Shukla, who is a famous Bhojpuri star and gathbandhan’s Ram Bhuval Nishad. The BJP lost Gorakhpur, which is also known as the home turf of Yogi Adityanath in the 2018 bypolls. Gorakhpur has a long history of electing its lawmaker from the Gorakhnath Mutt. Earlier, it seemed like the gathbandhan candidate will secure an easy win but Yogi Adityanath too has camped in Gorakhpur amid his busy campaigning schedule along with party president Amit Shah to give a tough fight to the alliance.

Saurabh Sharma/101Reporters

Bihar election voting latest updates

Will Arrah choose CPI(ML) this time?

Arrah Lok Sabha constituency is witnessing direct contest between CPI(ML) candidate Raju Yadav and incumbent BJP MP RK Singh. Former bureaucrat RK Singh had started his political career in the 2014 general election on a BJP ticket and won but this time faces a tough challenge from local alleging that he has not done enough for them. 

Raju Yadav is familiar face in Arrah because he has been participating in the agitations of students, labourers and farmers. His candidature is supported by mahagathbandhan. CPI (ML) had been strong a few decades ago but has never won this Lok Sabha seat.  

Umesh Kumar Ray/101Reporters

Bihar election voting latest updates

Three corner fight in Jehanabad

Known for caste violence, Jehababad Lok Sabha constituency in Bihar will see a three corner fight as rebel RLSP leader and incumbent MP Dr Arun Kumar is fighting on the ticket of his newly formed political outfit Rashtriya Samta Party (S).

RJD has fielded Surendra Yadav whereas JDU has given ticket to Chandreswar Prasad Chandravanshi. Jehanabad has substantial population of lower caste people, specially Musahars. Liquor ban in Bihar had impacted the Musahars badly as their livelihood was dependent on Mahua.

Umesh Kumar Ray/101Reporters

Bihar election voting latest updates

Will Jagjivan Ram’s legacy work in Sasaram

Congress veteran and former Union minister late Jagjivan Ram had been MP from Sasaram for a long time. His daughter and the first woman speaker of the Parliament Meira Kumari won this seat in 2004 and 2009 but lost in 2014 to senior BJP leader Chhedi Paswan. 

This time Congress has again fielded Meira  Kumar. BJP has given a ticket to Chhedi Paswan. BJP has campaigned against Meira Kumar saying that she is an outsider. Congress has countered it saying she is a ‘daughter of the soil’. 

Past electoral results indicate a tough fight between the two.  

Umesh Kumar Ray/101Reporters

Bihar election voting latest updates

Will mahagathbandhan break Nitish’s caste equation in Nalanda?

Nalanda which is also called Kurmistan due to its large population of Kurmis has been a stronghold of JD(U). JD(U) head and chief minister of Bihar Nitish belongs to Nalanda and is from the Kurmi community. Since the formation of JD(U), Nalanda has been easy win for the party. In 2014, JD(U) had won the seat alone. When Nitish Kumar was with Samta Party, George Fernandes had won this seat for four consecutive elections.

This time JD(U) has fielded incumbent MP Kaushlendra Kumar whereas mahagathbandhan has given this seat to Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM). It is believed that caste equation is very important factor in this seat.

Umesh Kumar Ray/101Reporters

Madhya Pradesh election voting latest updates

All-women ‘pink’ booths grab eyeballs in state

The number of all-women polling booths in Indore has decreased in Lok Sabha elections to 21.5 percent as compared to 23.5 percent in Assembly polls held last year. During the Assembly elections, of total 3109 polling booths, 725 were pink booths. But in general election, of the total 2,881 polling booths, 619 are pink booths. 

In Jhabua, the pink booths have increased twofold from being 55 in the state Assembly polls to 127 for Lok Sabha polls. In Ujjain, this time the total number of pink booths is 383 out of total 1814 polling booths

In Ratlam as well, the number of female polling booths have gone up. The Lok Sabha constituency has 130 pink booths out of 1292. This number was at 100 in the state assembly elections four months ago. In Dhar, too, the count has increased to 12 from seven.

K Kotwal/101Reporters

Patna Sahib election voting latest updates

Direct fight between Shatrughan Sinha’s star power and BJP veteran Ravi Shankar Prasad  

BJP has nominated Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad for the first Lok Sabha election of his political career, while Shatrughan Sinha is contesting for the third term from Patna Sahib Lok Sabha.  

Keeping the caste equation in mind, BJP and Congress have both given ticket to candidates belonging to the Kayastha community, who form a sizable population in the constituency. There is a fear of division of Kayastha votes.  The number of Muslims and Yadav castes in Patna Sahib Lok Sabha is also high. The BJP has been winning the seat for a long time from Patna Sahib. In 2009 and 2014, Shatrughan Sinha was elected as MP from BJP. This time, he is contesting from Congress.
 

Vidya Sagar/101Reporters

Bihar election voting latest updates

Nitish Kumar casts vote in Patna

Bihar chief minister and Janata Dal (United) head Nitish Kumar cast his vote at Patna’s Raj Bhawan early on Sunday.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar casts his vote at polling booth number 326 at a school in Raj Bhawan, Patna. #LokSabhaElections2019 pic.twitter.com/5OIMZptQnw

— ANI (@ANI) May 19, 2019

Uttar Pradesh election voting latest updates

WATCH: Yogi Adityanath emerges after casting vote

Uttar Pradesh chief minister was one of the first to cast vote at his Gorakhpur constituency on Sunday. 

Gaurav Tripathi/101Reporters

#IndiaElections2019| Uttar Pradesh CM #YogiAdityanath has cast his vote at a #Gorakhpur booth. https://t.co/t5B0z7yeUS pic.twitter.com/WbrVXUiDnY

— Firstpost (@firstpost) May 19, 2019

Madhya Pradesh election voting latest updates

Congress leaders booked for violating MCC

Congress leaders were booked for allegedly violating the Model Code of Conduct in Alirajpur under Ratlam constituency, in Madhya Pradesh. Police have booked Kantilal Bhuria, Surendra Singh Baghel and six others on charges of campaigning during the silent period.

Manish Chandra Mishra/101Reporters

Uttar Pradesh election polling latest updates

Yogi Adityanath casts vote

Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath cast his vote early on Sunday, at polling booth number 246 in Gorakhpur. 

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath exercises his franchise at polling booth no. 246 in Gorakhpur. #LokSabhaElections2019 pic.twitter.com/heXwytEqlY

— ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) May 19, 2019

Madhya Pradesh election voting latest updates

Teacher on election duty dies in Dewas

A teacher who was on election duty reportedly died at Maksi Nai Abadi’s booth number 262 in Shajapur under Dewas Parliamentary constituency in Madhya Pradesh. A preliminary police inquiry into Anil Nema’s death pegged the cause to be heart attack. He had complained about chest pain on Saturday evening after which his co-officers rushed him to the hospital where he died while undergoing treatment.  

Manish Chandra Mishra/101Reporters

Madhya Pradesh election voting latest updates

EVM malfunction reported within minutes of polling beginning in Phase 7

An EVM malfunction was reported at booth number 146 in Malwa, under Dewas Lok Sabha constituency in Madhya Pradesh. The EVM could not be cleared of history after mock polling.

Rajneesh Sethi/101Reporters

Madhya Pradesh election voting latest updates

1803 booths ‘critical’ in Indore division

Mobile squads will monitor security at booths in Indore division throughout the day. Of the total 11,082 polling booths in the division, which includes Alirajpur, Barwani, Burhanpur, Dhar, Indore, Jhabua, Khandwa and Khargone, around 1,803 have been identified as critical and 217 as vulnerable.

More than 46 companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAFP) along with 18 companies of Special Armed Forces (SAF) have already taken up their designated positions. Additional 14,000 policemen have been called in. Of 7000 polling stations in Ujjain, 20 percent have been identified as critical. Thirty one companies of central paramilitary forces have been deployed in the division. Ujjain division includes Agar-Malwa, Dewas, Mandsaur, Neemuch, Ratlam, Shajapur and Ujjain districts.

K Kotwal/101Reporters

Uttar Pradesh election voting latest updates

WATCH: Yogi Adityanath leaves to vote

In UttarPradesh, where 13 seats go to polls on Sunday, chief minister Yogi Adityanath has left to vote early. 

Gaurav Tripathi/101Reporters

#IndiaElections2019 | In #UttarPradesh, where 13 seats go to polls on Sunday, chief minister #YogiAdityanath has left to vote early. https://t.co/t5B0z7yeUS pic.twitter.com/Q0deVaJTd6

— Firstpost (@firstpost) May 19, 2019

Seven phase polls to come to end today

The seven-phase Lok Sabha elections, one of the most bitterly fought in recent memory, will come to a close Sunday when polling will be held in 59 constituencies including in Varanasi where Prime Minister Narendra Modi is seeking to retain the seat. Polling will be held in all 13 seats in Punjab and an equal number of seats in Uttar Pradesh, nine in West Bengal, eight seats each in Bihar and Madhya Pradesh, four in Himachal Pradesh, three in Jharkhand and the lone seat Chandigarh.

Over 10.01 crore voters are expected to decide the fate of 918 candidates. The Election Commission has set up more than 1.12 lakh polling stations for smooth conduct of polls.