Lok Sabha Elections 2019 voting HIGHLIGHTS: 66% voter turnout in phase 3 of Lok Sabha elections
A total of 117 seats in 13 states and 2 Union Territories went to polls in the third phase of the Lok Sabha elections on Tuesday. Voting tookplace for all 26 constituencies in Gujarat, all 20 seats in Kerala, 14 each in Maharashtra and Karnataka, 10 in Uttar Pradesh, seven in Chhattisgarh, six in Odisha, five each in Bihar and West Bengal, four in Assam, two in Goa, one each in Jammu and Kashmir, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu and Tripura.Read Highlights here:
7: 20 pm IST
Total voter turnout for 3rd phase of LS elections stands at 66%

Total voter turnout for 3rd phase of Lok Sabha Elections2019 is 66%.
Odisha - 58.18%
Tripura - 78.52%
Uttar Pradesh - 57.74%
West Bengal - 79.36
Chhattisgarh - 65.91%
Dadra & Nagar Haveli - 71.43%
Daman & Diu - 65.34%
Assam - 78.29%
Bihar - 59.97%
Goa - 71.09%
Gujarat - 60.21%
Jammu & Kashmir - 12.86%
Karnataka - 64.14%
Kerala - 70.21%
Maharashtra - 56.57%
Total voter turnout for 3rd phase of #LokSabhaElections2019 is 63.24%.
Odisha - 58.18%
— ANI (@ANI) April 23, 2019
Tripura - 78.52%
Utar Pradesh - 57.74%
West Bengal - 79.36
Chhattisgarh - 65.91%
Dadra & Nagar Haveli - 71.43%
Daman & Diu - 65.34% https://t.co/CmyxZmbhVW
6:25 pm IST
Singer Hans Raj Hans files nomination form North West Delhi
Singer Hans Raj Hans after filing his nomination from North West Delhi constituency as a BJP candidate: I have been a warrior since my childhood, I have to win. I am a son of a farm labourer, it is in my genes to work hard. I consider PM Modi as my hero, reports news agency ANI.
Singer Hans Raj Hans after filing his nomination from North West Delhi constituency as a BJP candidate: I have been a warrior since my childhood, I have to win. I am a son of a farm labourer, it is in my genes to work hard. I consider PM Modi as my hero. #LokSabhaElections2019 pic.twitter.com/lYRYMWX4PL
— ANI (@ANI) April 23, 2019
6: 16 pm IST
Voting concludes in Assam’s Dhubri
Assam: Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) & VVPATs being packed at polling booth no.199 in Dhubri after voting concludes there, reports news agency ANI.
Assam: Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) & VVPATs being packed at polling booth no.199 in Dhubri after voting concludes there. #LokSabhaElections2019 pic.twitter.com/gBJxTrllfm
— ANI (@ANI) April 23, 2019
6:00 pm IST
Gautam Gambhir files nomination from East Delhi
Delhi: BJP’s Gautam Gambhir files his nomination for the East Delhi parliamentary constituency, reports news agency ANI.
Delhi: BJP's Gautam Gambhir files his nomination for the East Delhi parliamentary constituency. #LokSabhaElections2019 pic.twitter.com/mGsVXToS8w
— ANI (@ANI) April 23, 2019
5: 32 pm IST
Voter turn out till 5 pm of different states
Voter turn out till 5 pm in different states -
Goa- 69.79%
Bihar- 54.94%
Assam- 74.05%
Gujarat - 58.43 %
Jammu and Kashmir- 11.99%
Karnataka- 60.87%
Kerala- 68.55%
Maharashtra- 54.80%
Odisha- 57.12%
Tripura- 70.04%
Uttar Pradesh - 56.16%
West Bengal- 78.93%
Chhasttigarh- 63.20%
Dadar and Nagar Haveli- 71.43%
Daman and Diu- 64.82%
5: 31 pm IST
61.05% voter turn out in LS phase 3 elections till 5 pm
61.05 percent voter turn out reported in Lok Sabha elections phase 3 till 5 pm
5: 22 pm IST
Election commission sets up polling booth for 1 voter in Gujarat’s Gir forest
Gujarat:A polling booth in Gir Forest has been set up for 1 voter in Junagadh.Voter Bharatdas Bapu says,“Govt spends money for this polling booth for 1 vote.I’ve voted&it’s 100% voter turnout here.For 100% voter turnout everywhere,I request all to go&vote,” reports news agency ANI.
Gujarat:A polling booth in Gir Forest has been set up for 1 voter in Junagadh.Voter Bharatdas Bapu says,"Govt spends money for this polling booth for 1 vote.I've voted&it's 100% voter turnout here.For 100% voter turnout everywhere,I request all to go&vote." #LokSabhaElections2019 pic.twitter.com/N0xYNKSK0S
— ANI (@ANI) April 23, 2019
4: 47 pm IST
65% voting in Kerala till 4:30 pm
Voter turn out in Kerala till 4:30 pm stands at 65 percent, with no instances of violence
4: 46 pm IST
Kejriwal alleges several instances of faulty EVMs in polls in Goa
Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday alleged that there have been several instances of faulty electronic voting machines in Goa during polling for the third phase of Lok Sabha elections.
In a series of tweets, Kejriwal tagged reports of alleged faulty electronic voting machines, reports news agency PTI.
Another "faulty" EVM voting for BJP https://t.co/ZsrcQjb6GP
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) April 23, 2019
4:09 pm IST
Woman voter dies in Chhattisgarh
A 46-year-old tribal woman collapsed Tuesday while standing in a queue to cast her vote in Raigarh Lok Sabha constituency in Chhattisgarh and later died at hospital, police said.
The woman, Anjela Toppo, was waiting for her turn to exercise her franchise at polling booth no.3 in police line area in the Raigarh district headquarter when she collapsed, said Raigarh Additional Superintendent of Police Abhishek Verma.
Toppo was rushed in a police vehicle to district hospital where she died during treatment, he said.
4:07 pm IST
11 candidates found asking for votes on social media after campaigning period ended
The chief electoral officer here has sought details from district magistrates after 11 third phase Lok Sabha candidates were found seeking votes on social media in the 48 hours before polls on Tuesday, reported news agency PTI.
According to the office of the Chief Electoral Officer here, five candidates of the BJP, four of the SP-BSP alliance and two of the Congress have been found using social media in the past 48 hours, even though the electioneering period had ended.
They are Parmeshwar Lal Saini (Sambhal), Chandrasen Jadon (Firozabad), Sanghmitra Maurya (Badaun), Rajvir Singh (Etah), Kunwar Sarvesh Kumar Singh (Moradabad) from the BJP, Hemraj Verma (Pilibhit), Akshay Yadav ( Firozabad), Ruchi Veera (Aonla), Bhagwat Saran Gangwar (Bareilly) from the SP-BSP combine, Imran Pratapgarhi (Moradabad) and Praveen Singh Aron (Bareilly) from the Congress, officials said.
3:52 pm IST
Voter dies at booth in Aonla LS seat
A 60-year-old voter died at a booth in Jagat township of Aonla Lok Sabha seat after suffering an asthmatic attack.
Balakram Prajapati, an asthma patient, was standing in the queue for casting vote when he suffered the attack, family members told the administration.
3:51 pm IST
Azam Khan casts vote
Samajwadi Party leader and SP-BSP-RLD candidate from Uttar Pradesh Rampur, Azam Khan, and his son Abdullah Azam Khan, cast their vote at a polling station in the district.
3:49 pm IST
Polling agent found dead in Bengal
Babulal Murmu, a polling agent was found dead at his house in Buniadpur, Dakshin Dinajpur, reported news agency ANI.
More details awaited.
3:40 pm IST
At 3pm, 51.16% voter turnout
At 3 pm, voter turnout in Phase 3 of Lok Sabha polls stood at 51.16%. The voter turnout in Assam was 62.13%, 46.94% in Bihar, 58.55% in Goa, 50.36% in Gujarat, 10.64% in Jammu and Kashmir, 49.96% in Karnataka, 55.05% in Kerala, 44.70% in Maharashtra, 46.70% in Odisha, 61.38% in Tripura, 46.99% in Uttar Pradesh, 67.52% in West Bengal, 55.29% in Chhattisgarh, 56.81% in Dadra and Nagar Haveli, and 55.02% in Daman and Diu.
3:37 pm IST
Polling official on duty collapses, dies at Odisha booth
A polling official at booth number 41 in Kantapal village in Odisha’s Dhenkanal passed away, after collapsing while on duty, reported news agency ANI.
3:20 pm IST
NDA candidate from Wayanad demands re-polling after EVM malfunction
Thushar Vellappally, NDA candidate from Wayanad Lok Sabha constituency, on Tuesday demanded re-polling after an electronic voting machine (EVM) malfunctioned at a polling booth here.
“Let me draw your kind attention to an important matter. It is reported from booth number 79 - CMS Higher Secondary School, Arappatta in Mooppanad Panchayath that the voting machine is damaged. A vote is not being cast even after pressing twice,” a letter by Vellappally through Chief Election Agent Advocate Sinil Kumar G read.
3:14 pm IST
PM Modi’s wife casts her vote
Jashodaben Narendrabhai Modi, the wife of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Tuesday casts her vote at a polling booth in Unjha, a town in Gujarat.
Minutes after casting her vote she said, “Modi sahab has done a lot for the country, he will do more.”
Besides Prime Minister’s wife, his mother Heeraben Modi also cast her vote at a polling booth in Gujarat’s Gandhinagar district.
Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Modi met his mother Heeraben Modi in Gandhinagar and sought blessings.
3:10 pm IST
Former PM Manmohan Singh casts vote
Former prime minister Dr Manmohan Singh cast his vote at a polling booth in Assam’s Dispur.

2:51 pm IST
Voter killed at polling booth in West Bengal’s Murshidabad
52-year-old Tiyarul Kalam was killed in Murshidabad district of West Bengal. He is the first person to have been murdered in the three phases in Bengal.
Four persons were also injured in the clash that erupted between Congress and Trinamool workers, said his son, who is a first time voter and was standing in a queue with his father when the clash started.
Piyarul was caught in the clash.
He was taken to a hospital where doctors declared Piyarul dead on arrival.
2:42 pm IST
Mehbooba Mufti casts her vote
PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti cast her vote at polling booth number-37D in Bijbehara area of Jammu and Kashmir’s Anantnag district.
2:37 pm IST
At 2pm, 38.10% voter turnout
At 2 pm, voter turnout in Phase 3 of Lok Sabha polls stood at 38.10%. The voter turnout in Assam was 46.61%, 37.05% in Bihar, 46.36% in Goa, 39.27% in Gujarat, 9.63% in Jammu and Kashmir, 36.74% in Karnataka, 40.80% in Kerala, 32.36% in Maharashtra, 32.82% in Odisha, 45.54% in Tripura, 29.76% in Uttar Pradesh, 52.60% in West Bengal, 42.97% in Chhattisgarh, 37.20% in Dadra and Nagar Haveli, and 42.99% in Daman and Diu.
2:07 pm IST
Kid plays with CRPF jawan while mother casts vote
#ElectionsWithHT | As #Phase3 of Lok Sabha elections are underway, a cute little munchkin was captured enjoying the company of CRPF jawan while the mother was casting her vote
Courtesy: @crpfindia
Follow LIVE: https://t.co/BVaW9UFYSR #LokSabhaElections2019#VotingRound3 pic.twitter.com/wwW9CKKJKg
— Hindustan Times (@htTweets) April 23, 2019
2:05 pm IST
Sabarimala: Will it, won’t it impact Kerala polls
As electorate in Kerala queue up to cast their vote on Tuesday, the big question on everyone’s mind is whether and how will the Sabarimala temple controversy impact their decision.
Since September 28 last year, when the Supreme Court ordered the shrine to open its doors to all women, the state has been torn between Pinarayi Vijayan-led Left government firm on implementing the order and the Hindutva brigade led by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) adamant on protecting its sacred traditions and customs.
2:00 pm IST
Arun Jaitley casts vote
Finance minister and BJP leader Arun Jaitley cast his vote at a polling booth in Gujarat’s Ahmedabad.

1:35 pm IST
Veteran BJP leader LK Advani casts his vote
Veteran BJP leader LK Advani casts his vote at a polling booth at Shahpur Hindi School in Gujarat’s Ahmedabad.

1:05 pm IST
At 1pm, 37.92% voter turnout
At 1 pm, voter turnout in Phase 3 of Lok Sabha polls stood at 37.92%. The voter turnout in Assam was 46.61%, 37.05% in Bihar, 46.36% in Goa, 39.27% in Gujarat, 9.63% in Jammu and Kashmir, 36.74% in Karnataka, 39.96% in Kerala, 32.01% in Maharashtra, 32.82% in Odisha, 44.76% in Tripura, 29.76% in Uttar Pradesh, 52.40% in West Bengal, 42.97% in Chhattisgarh, 37.20% in Dadra and Nagar Haveli, and 42.99% in Daman and Diu.
12:57 pm IST
‘Central forces trying to influence voters to vote for BJP’: TMC lodges complaint
Trinamool Congress has lodged a complaint with the sub divisional officer that in booths 166 and 167 in English Bazar area of Malda South constituency central forces were trying to influence voters to cast their votes in favour of the Bharatiya Janata Party candidate.
12:41 pm IST
‘Voters are the real judge’: Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel
“We have said what we had to say in favour of the party and our candidates, now voters will decide. They are the real judge,” said Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel after casting his vote at polling booth number 55 in Durg in the 3rd phase of polling of Lok Sabha elections 2019.

12:36 pm IST
Less than 5% voter turnout in J-K’s Anantnag in 4 hours
Less than five per cent of the 5.30 lakh electorate of Anantnag district in the Anantnag Lok Sabha constituency of Jammu and Kashmir exercised their franchise in the first four hours of polling Tuesday.
The overall poll percentage in Anantnag at 11.00 am was 4.79 per cent, an official spokesman said in Srinagar.
Nearly three per cent voting was recorded in the first two hours, he said.
Polling will end at 4.00 pm, instead of the usual 6.00 pm, following a request by police.
12:29 pm IST
Congress, AAP raise concern over faulty EVMs in Goa
The opposition Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Tuesday claimed that EVMs and VVPAT machines malfunctioned at some polling booths in Goa.
Leader of Opposition in Goa Assembly Chandrakant Kavlekar alleged foul play by the BJP and said he will complain about this to the Election Commission.
Expressing concern over faulty EVMs in Cuncolim and Quepem Assembly segments, he said, “During mock polling, all votes were getting registered in the BJP’s name despite pressing buttons of other parties. I will be filing a complaint with the Election Commission. This is foul play by the BJP.” AAP’s South Goa Lok Sabha seat nominee Elvis Gomes also claimed that during the mock drill at a booth in Cuncolim, the votes registered were more than those polled.
12:27 pm IST
Ceiling fan falls on polling officer’s head in UP’s Etah
The presiding officer on duty at Mohara booth in Marhara assembly constituency of Etah Lok Sabha seat sustained head injury when a ceiling fan at the polling booth fell on his head.
‘Sri Kishan was referred to SN Medical College in Agra for treatment’ said Swapnil Mamgain, the SSP Of Etah district.
‘We have asked for his CT Scan in Agra’ added SSP Etah.
12:20 pm IST
Akhilesh Yadav to cast vote in Saifai
Akhilesh Yadav reached air strip at Saifai to caste his vote. He complained about widespread malfunctioning of EVM nationwide. “We wish that voting take place with proper working EVM for healthy democracy’ says Akhilesh before moving for polling station in Saifai of Mainpuri constituency.

12:18 pm IST
68-year-old cancer patient casts vote in Assam
A 68-year-old man, named Basir Ali, who is suffering from cancer, on Tuesday cast vote in Guwahati.
Ali was accompanied by his childhood friend, Mukut Choudhary.
“Ali has come to set an example for the people to come out and exercise their power of vote. Doctors have advised him rest. However, he wanted to come here and vote. Ali is on the last stage of cancer and might die within a short time, doctors have said this. We have come here in a rickshaw,” Choudhary told ANI here.
12:12 pm IST
Hardik Patel casts his vote
Congress leader Hardik Patel after casting his vote in Viramgam,says "Chowkidaar dhoondhna hoga toh mein Nepal chala jaaunga, mujhe desh mein PM chahiye jo iss desh ke arthvyavastha ko, shiksha ko, yuvaon, jawanon ko mazboot kar sake. Mujhe chowkidar nahi pradhan mantri chahiye." pic.twitter.com/dYGjy7S7YW
— ANI (@ANI) April 23, 2019
12:05 pm IST
Mallikarjun Kharge casts his vote
Senior Congress leader and Gulbarga candidate Mallikarjun Kharge casts his vote at polling booth number 119 in Karnataka’s Gulabarga.

12:01 pm IST
Snake inside VVPAT machine holds up polling in Kannur
An unusual “visitor” in a polling booth in the Kannur Lok Sabha constituency, held up voting for a brief while Tuesday.
A small snake was found inside a VVPAT machine in a booth at Mayyil Kandakkai in the constitutency, which is witnessing heavy polling, triggering panic among officials and voters.
However, the reptile was soon removed and voting continued.
The Kannur constituency, where sitting MP P K Sreemathy (CPI-M-LDF), K Surendrdan (Cong-UDF) and C K Padmanabhan (BJP-NDA) are trying their luck, is witnessing brisk polling since the morning.
11:31 am IST
At 11 am, 23.82% voter turnout
At 11 am, voter turnout in Phase 3 of Lok Sabha polls stood at 23.82%. The voter turnout in Assam was 28.64%, 25.65% in Bihar, 28.49% in Goa, 28.47% in Gujarat, 4.72% in Jammu and Kashmir, 21.04% in Karnataka, 25.72% in Kerala, 17.26% in Maharashtra, 18.58% in Odisha,29.21% in Tripura, 22.39% in Uttar Pradesh, 35% in West Bengal, 27.29% in Chhattisgarh, 21.62% in Dadra and Nagar Haveli, and 23.93% in Daman and Diu.
11:16 am IST
Each vote is important: Amit Shah
BJP President Amit Shah declared on Tuesday after voting in the Lok Sabha elections here that “each vote is important”.
“Each vote is important and a vote can make the country competent,” he told the media after he voted in Naranpura area.
Shah urged the first time voters to vote for the future of the country.
11:14 am IST
‘Give anger a voice,’ appeals Omar Abdullah
In the first two hours of voting in phase three of Lok Sabha polls, not a single vote was cast in Jammu and Kashmir’s Ananatnag Lok Sabha constituency, a hotbed of militant activities, while former chief minister Omar Abdullah urged people to ‘vote to give anger a voice’.
“To the voters of Anantnag, please don’t reward the death, destruction & deceit of the last 4 years by staying home & boycotting the election. Come out & vote to give your anger a voice. Vote for the best candidate in the field, vote for @masoodi_hasnain,” Abdullah tweeted while seeking votes for his candidate.
11:13 am IST
20.5% polling recorded in first four hours in Kerala
The voter turnout in Kerala was recorded at 20.5% in first four hours of polling.
11:01 am IST
Anna Hazare casts vote
Social activist Anna Hazare after cast his vote in Ralegan Siddhi,Ahmednagar District, Maharashtra.

10:52 am IST
Petroleum minister Dharmendra Pradhan in queue to vote
Union petroleum minister Dharmendra Pradhan queued up with his wife Mridula to cast his vote at Talcher Assembly constituency under Dhenkanal Lok Sabha constituency of Odisha.

10:51 am IST
Priyank Kharge casts vote
Priyank Kharge and his wife Shruthi Kharge cast their votes at polling station number 26, in Karnataka’s Gundagurti village, in Kalaburagi Lok Sabha constituency.

10:49 am IST
Kashmiri Pandits cast votes
Kashmiri Pandits cast their votes at a Special Polling Station in Jammu and Kashmir’s Udhampur, for Anantnag parliamentary constituency.

10:47 am IST
EVMs across India malfunctioning or voting for BJP: Akhilesh Yadav
“EVMs across India malfunctioning or voting for the BJP. DMs say poll officials untrained to operate EVMs. 350+ being replaced. This is criminal negligence for a polling exercise that costs 50,000 crs.
Should we believe DMs @ECISVEEP, or is something far more sinister afoot?,” tweets SP chief Akhilesh Yadav.
10:43 am IST
BJP candidate Kummanam Rajasekhran in queue to vote
BJP candidate Kummanam Rajasekhran, also former governor of Mizoram, stood in queue to cast his vote.

10:34 am IST
Rampur police detains e-rickshaw drivers allegedly hired by SP to ferry voters to polling booth
Rampur police have detained at least four e-rickshaw driver who were paid to ferry voters to polling booth. They were allegedly hired by SP workers. Further investigation is on.
10:32 am IST
Entire set of EVMs replaced for AC 34, PS No 31: Goa CEO
“Entire set of EVMs has been replaced for AC 34, PS No 31 as per report from DEO South Goa,” said Goa chief electoral officer, reported news agency ANI.
10:23 am IST
300 EVMs malfunction in UP’s Rampur: Abdullah Azam
Three hundred EVMs have been reported faulty in Uttar Pradesh’s Rampur.
Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan’s son Abdullah Azam has accused the administration of bias, saying that Muslims are not being allowed to vote.
However, chief electoral officer, L Venkateshwar Lu said the allegation by Azam Khan and SP MLA Abdullah Azam about malfunctioning of 300 EVMs is baseless. The DM Rampur has sent his report to the CEO office.
10:18 am IST
PM Modi’s mother casts vote in Ahmedabad
PM Modi’s mother casts vote in Gujarat Ahmedabad, Apr 23 (PTI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s mother Hiraba on Tuesday cast her vote for the Lok Sabha polls at a booth in Gujarat’s Gandhinagar district.
Hiraba, 95, who lives with her younger son Pankaj Modi at Raisan village, located around 10 km from Gandhinagar city, arrived at the polling booth set up in the gram panchayat and exercised her franchise.
She was accompanied by her Pankaj Modi and other family members.

10:12 am IST
Kovalam voters complain of faulty EVMs
“In one of the booths in Kovalam polling was disrupted after some voters complained that their vote was automatically going to BJP.
“ We have complained to returning officer. The district collector is examining this” said Kovalam MLA MP Vincent.
However, collector Dr Vasuki said the machine was replaced. VVPAT slips will be counted later, and that it was only a technical error.
Chief electoral officer Tikaram Meena said after rains last night some machines developed moisture leading to some snags.
10:09 am IST
Complaints of mix up, workers should keep a vigil: Shashi Tharoor
“I am confident I will retain the seat with a high margin. There are some complaints of mix up. Workers should keep a vigil” said Congress leader Shashi Tharoor after casting his vote
10:02 am IST
Women waiting in queue dies
In Kerala’s Kannur, a woman voter collapsed and died while standing in voters’ queue.
10:00 am IST
Over 50 EVMs reported faulty in UP
Over 50 polling booths have reported EVM malfunction since morning in Rohilkhand region. 27 of these were reported from Badaun. 14 incidents of malfunction in Bareilly, 11 in Moradabad, seven in Sambhal and five each on Pilibhit and Aonla. Polling got delayed at these booths because of the malfunction and election officials are attending to them.
9:55 am IST
At 9 am, 16.94% voter turnout in West Bengal, 9% in Odisha
At 9 am, the voter turnout in West Bengal stood at 16.94% and 9% in Odisha.
In West Bengal’s Balurghat constituency voter turnout was 17.28%, 16.11% in Malda North, 16.22% in Malda South, 17.54% in Jangipur, and 17.54% in Murshidabad.
9:47 am IST
Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik casts vote
Chief minister of Odisha Naveen Patnaik casts his vote at a polling booth in Bhubaneswar.

9:45 am IST
‘Congress-led UDF will sweep polls in Kerala’: AK Antony
“Congress-led UDF will sweep polls in Kerala”, said Congress leader AK Antony after casting his votes in state capital Thiruvananthapuram.
“Kerala will give maximum seats to elevate Rahul Gandhi as PM. It is a verdict against both, state and central governments” said AK Antony.
9:43 am IST
Voting underway in Maharashtra’s 14 Lok Sabha seats
Voting continued on a peaceful note for 14 Lok Sabha constituencies in Maharashtra here on Tuesday morning.
The fate of several political stalwarts, scions, royals and rebels, including Shiv Sena Union Minister Anant Geete, state BJP President Raosaheb Danve-Patil and big political clans, will be decided by voters in: Jalgaon, Raver, Jalna, Aurangabad, Raigad, Pune, Baramati, Ahmednagar, Madha, Sangli, Satara, Ratnagiri-Sindhudurg, Kolhapur and Hathkanangale constituencies.
The main contests are between the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-Shiv Sena and opposition Congress-Nationalist Congress Party, besides the Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) Dalit-Muslim front comprising Prakash Ambedkar’s Bharipa Bahujan Mahasangh and Owaisi brothers’ All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen, and some local/regional parties.
Among the early voters were Danve-Patil, NCP senior leader and former Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar with his family, Bollywood actor Amol Palekar and his family and others.
9:41 am IST
Voter turnout at 9 am
At 9 am, voter turnout in Assam was 12.36%, 12.60% in Bihar, 2.29% in Goa, 1.35% in Gujarat, 0.00% in Jammu and Kashmir, 1.75% in Karnataka, 2.48% in Kerala, 0.99% in Maharashtra, 1.32% in Odisha, 1.56% in Tripura, 6.84% in UP, 10.97% in West Bengal, 2.24% in Chhattisgarh, 0.00% in Dadra&Nagar Haveli, and 5.83% in Daman& Diu, as reported by news agency ANI.
9:35 am IST
BJP chief Amit Shah casts his vote in Ahmedabad
BJP chief Amit Shah along with his wife cast his vote in Ahmedabad today.

9:22 am IST
Goa CM Pramod Sawant casts vote
Goa chief minister Pramod Sawant and his wife Sulakshana cast their votes at Pale in North Goa.

9:17 am IST
Newly-wed couples at polling booth in UP
Newly-wed couples were seen at a polling booth in Uttar Pradesh’s Firozabad.

9:13 am IST
27 incidents of EVM malfunction in UP’s Badaun constituency
Twenty seven separate incidents of EVM malfunction have been reported in Uttar Pradesh’s Badaun constituency.
9:10 am IST
Voting underway in Karnataka’s 14 Lok Sabha seats
Voting was underway on Tuesday in the 14 Lok Sabha constituencies across western and northern Karnataka amid tight security, said an election official.
“Voting began at 7 a.m. in 28,022 polling stations across the regions, including 216 all-women (’sakhi’) and 39 ethnic booths for gender and tribal empowerment,” the official told IANS in Bengaluru.
Among the early voters were the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) state unit president B.S. Yeddyurappa and his family at Shikaripura in the Shimoga parliamentary seat, and BJP candidate Umesh Jadav at Chincholi in the Gulbarga (SC) constituency.
Yeddyurappa’s second son B.Y. Raghavendra is contesting from Shimoga for the third time against Madhu Bangarappa, son of late Congress Chief Minster S. Bangarappa.
9:06 am IST
Voting in 10 Lok Sabha seats in UP
Voting for the crucial third phase for 10 Lok Sabha seats in Uttar Pradesh began on Tuesday that will decide the fate of four members of SP patron Mulayam Singh Yadav’s clan, besides senior party leader Azam Khan and his bete noir BJP’s Jaya Prada.
A total of 1.78 crore electorates would would choose from 120 candidates contesting in Muradabad, Rampur, Sambhal, Ferozabad, Mainpuri, Etah, Badaun, Aonwla, Bareilly and Pilibhit, where polling began at 7 a.m. and would end at 6 p.m.
“Arrangements have been made to conduct fair and peaceful polling,” said Additional Chief Electoral Officer Dr Brahm Dev Tiwari.
9:00 am IST
BJP MP candidate from Bhubaneswar, Aparajita Sarangi casts her vote
Former IAS officer and BJP MP candidate from Bhubaneswar, Aparajita Sarangi casts her vote at polling booth in Government Primary School, IRC village, in Odisha’s Bhubaneswar. She is up against former IPS officer and BJD candidate Arup Patnaik.

8:45 am IST
‘Voter ID more powerful than IED’: PM Modi
“The weapon of terrorism is IED, the strength of democracy is voter ID. I can say with surety that the voter ID is much more powerful than an IED, so we should understand the strength of our voter IDs,” said PM Narendra Modi after casting his vote in Ahmedabad.
8:36 am IST
‘Feels pure after casting vote in festival of democracy’: PM Modi
“I am fortunate that I also got the opportunity to fulfil my duty in my home state of Gujarat. Like you feel pure after a holy dip in Kumbh, one feels pure after casting vote in this festival of democracy,” said PM Modi after casting his vote in Ahmedabad.
8:31 am IST
Polling yet to gain pace in UP’s Mainpuri
Polling is yet to gain pace in Uttar Pradesh’s Mainpuri.
8:18 am IST
PM Modi arrives at polling booth
PM Narendra Modi and BJP national chief Amit Shah arrived at a polling booth in Ahmedabad.

8:11 am IST
Selfie points at model polling booths
Young voters were seen taking selfies at polling booth in Uttar Pradesh’s Etah. Selfie points have been set up at model polling booths this time to attract voters.

8:06 am IST
Mayawati appeals to voters to exercise their ‘invaluable constitutional right’
Bahujan Samajwadi Party leader Mayawati on Tuesday appealed to voters to exercise their “invaluable constitutional right” to choose a government that will work in their favour as polling started for the third phase of Lok Sabha election.
“Voting for the third phase of election is underway to elect the 17th Lok Sabha. I appeal to all voters to participate in the polling in large numbers. Voting is your invaluable constitutional right and which will help you choose a government of your choice and welfare to make your life happy,” Mayawati tweeted in Hindi.
“The country’s 130 crore people, and especially the crores of educated youth and unemployed, do not want a BJP government that forces them to sell pakodas and tea and become a security guard rather than giving them jobs and deploys harmful anti-people policies,” she wrote.
8:00 am IST
Kerala CM in queue to cast his vote
Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan queued up to cast his vote at polling booth in RC Amala Basic UP School in in Kannur district.

7:52 am IST
TMC leader’s husband hit with sticks in Bengal
Tojammel Ansari, the husband of Majeda Bibi, Trinamool Congress councillor of ward 7 of Domkal municipality was hit with sticks on the head in before polling began. He was rushed to a hospital in critical condition.
One of his associates was hit in the arm.
TMC workers alleged that supporters of the Congress and Communist Party of India (Marxist) attacked him with sticks.
7:50 am IST
Central forces guard polling stations in Bengal
As many as 92% of the polling stations in the five constituencies of Bengal, where polling is being held today, are guarded by central forces.
7:48 am IST
Amit Shah urges voters to come out in large numbers
गत 5 वर्षों में हमने देखा कि देश में जब एक मजबूत और निर्णायक सरकार होती है तो किस तरह भारत का तिरंगा विकास के नये मापदंड स्थापित कर पूरे विश्व में लहराता है।
तीसरे चरण के मतदाताओं से अपील करता हूँ कि मतदान अवश्य करें। आपका एक वोट देश की सुरक्षा, गौरव और सम्मान का आधार है।
— Chowkidar Amit Shah (@AmitShah) April 23, 2019
7:46 am IST
PM Modi to vote in Ahmedabad shortly
“Urging all those voting in today’s Third Phase of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections to do so in record numbers. Your vote is precious and will shape the direction our nation takes in the years to come.
I’ll be voting in Ahmedabad in a short while from now,” tweeted PM Narendra Modi.
7:45 am IST
EVM glitches across several poll booths
Snags in Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) were reported on Tuesday at a few places as polling started in 117 parliamentary constituencies across 13 states and two Union Territorries in the biggest phase of Lok Sabha elections .
Voters complained of slow speed and non-functional EVMs in early hours on Tuesday in Uttar Pradesh’s Firozabad, Bareilly and Aonla. Problems with VVPAT was also reported from a booth in Firozabad
In Kerala, EVM snags were reported from several places. In Bihar’s Supaul, a faulty EVM had to be replaced before voting began.
7:31 am IST
PM Modi reaches mother’s Gandhinagar residence
Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives at his mother’s residence in Gandhinagar. He will cast his vote in Ahmedabad, shortly.
#WATCH PM Narendra Modi meets his mother Heeraben Modi at her residence in Gandhinagar and takes her blessings. #Gujarat pic.twitter.com/uRGsGX0fcw
— ANI (@ANI) April 23, 2019
7:28 am IST
Karnataka BJP MP candidate from Shimoga BY Raghvendra casts vote
Karnataka BJP MP candidate from Shimoga BY Raghvendra casts his vote at a polling booth in Shikaripura, in the third phase of general elections.

7:26 am IST
Voters queue outside polling booths in West Bengal’s Malda
Voters have queued outside polling booth in Kotwali Junior Basic School, West Bengal’s Malda. Five Lok Sabha constituencies in the state are voting in the third phase of general elections today.
7:23 am IST
Gazetted officers on vigil outside polling booths
Twenty gazetted officers equipped with drone cameras are on vigil in Uttar Pradesh’s Firozabad where there is and interesting contest between nephew, sitting MP Akshay Yadav taking and his uncle Shivpal Yadav who created new party Pragatisheel Samajwadi Party to file nomination.
7:06 am IST
Party leaders offer prayers before polling
In Karnataka, BJP candidate from Gulbarga Lok Sabha constituency, Dr Umesh Jadhav, offered prayers at Sharana Basaveshwara Temple in Kalaburagi. Congress’ Mallikarjun Kharge is the sitting MP from the parliamentary constituency.
Former CM BS Yeddyurappa visited Hucharaya Swamy temple in Shikaripura, in Shimoga district.

7:00 am IST
Voting begins
Voting across 117 Lok Sabha seats in 13 states and two union territories began at 7 am.
Over 18 crore 85 lakh voters to decide fate of 1640 candidates and over 2 lakh 10 thousand polling booths have been set up in place for smooth conduct of polls.
6:47 am IST
Voters queue outside polling booth in Assam
Polling is scheduled to begin at 7am, however, people have already gathered in large numbers and have queued outside polling booths in Assam.

6:45 am IST
Preparations underway
In Karnataka, preparations are underway at polling station number 175 and 181 in Gulbarga Lok Sabha constituency. Voting for the third phase of elections will begin at 7 am today.
6:30 am IST
13 states and 2 union territories to go to polls today
117 parliamentary constituencies (PCs) will go to polls in what is the biggest of the seven phase general election schedule for 2019.
Parliamentary constituencies which will go to polls in each phase beginning today saw the BJP winning a majority in the 2014 elections. Of the 117 seats, the BJP won 62 and the NDA, 67, in 2014.
6:11 am IST
Voting on 117 seats in phase 3 to begin shortly
Voting on 117 seats in phase 3 to begin shortly.
05:55 AM IST
Do-or-die battle for Left, Congress in Kerala
After a high decibel 40-day-long campaign, Kerala will go to single phase polls Tuesday with Congress chief Rahul Gandhi, Union minister Alphons Kannamthanam and sitting MP Shashi Tharoor among those whose fortunes will be decided.
It is a do-or-die battle for both the ruling CPI(M)-led LDF and opposition Congress-headed UDF in most of the 20 Lok Sabha seats this time in the state, known for its decades-long bipolar politics.
05:50 AM IST
Five LS seats in West Bengal to go polls in the third phase
Five West Bengal Lok Sabha constituencies - Balurghat, Maldaha North, Maldaha South, Jangipur and Murshidabad will go to the polls in the third phase of elections on Tuesday.
The ruling Trinamool Congress in West Bengal, BJP and Congress are the main contenders in the five seats in which the fate of 61 candidates will be decided by a 80,23,852-strong electorate.
05:45 AM IST
Rahul Gandhi’s decision to contest from Wayanad adds new interest
In Kerala, Rahul Gandhi’s decision to contest from Wayanad besides his traditional Amethi seat has added new interest to the fight between rivals UDF and LDF for the 20 seats. The BJP has also aggressively campaigned in the hope of opening its account in the southern state by capitalising on the Sabarimala shrine women entry issue.
05:40 AM IST
Anantnag to vote in three phases
The Anantnag Lok Sabha constituency in Jammu and Kashmir goes to the polls in the third phase on Tuesday even as the security forces face a serious challenge to ensure that the democratic process passes off peacefully.
Due to the overwhelming security concerns, the Anantnag parliamentary constituency comprising four districts -- Anantnag, Kulgam, Shopian and Pulwama -- will vote in three phases. Polling in Anantnag will be held on Tuesday, followed by Kulgam (April 29) and Pulwama and Shopian (May 6).
Over 100 additional companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) have been deployed to augment an already existing large contingent of state police and CAPF personnel deployed on poll duty in this constituency.
05:35 AM IST
Security beefed up for third phase of Lok Sabha elections
Security has been beefed up in the states going to polls for the third phase of Lok Sabha elections today.
The official said check posts are being set up on the roads and highways bordering neighbouring states to check flow of transportation of cash, liquor and weapons into the districts where polling will be held.
05:30 AM IST
BJP will be tested in its bastion Gujarat
This time the BJP will be tested in its bastion Gujarat -- where polling will be held for all the 26 Lok Sabha seats -- apart from Karanataka, Chhattisgarh and Uttar Pradesh, where the party had done well in 2014.
In 2014, the BJP won all the 26 seats in Gujarat, 11 of 14 in Karnataka, 8 of 10 in Uttar Pradesh, 6 of 7 in Chhattisgarh, 6 of 14 in Maharashtra, both the seats in Goa and one seat each in Assam, Bihar, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu.
05:25 AM IST
BJP aims to defend the 62 of the 117 third phase seats it won in 2014
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will aim to defend the 62 of the 117 third phase seats it won in 2014 and its performance in this phase will be crucial in deciding its political fortunes.
The Congress had won 16 seats, while the remaining seats were divided between BJD (6), CPI-M (7), NCP (4), Samajwadi Party (3), Shiv Sena (2), RJD (2), AIUDF (2), IUML (2), LJP (1), PDP (1), RSP (1), Kerala Congress-M (1), CPI (1), Swabhimani Paksha (1) and Trinamool Congress (1). Three seats were won by Independent candidates.
05:20 AM IST
LS poll debutants: Shah to make debut from Gandhinagar, whereas Congress president Rahul Gandhi from Wayanad
The presidents of the two main political parties are in fray in the third phase with BJP chief Amit Shah making his Lok Sabha election debut from Gandhinagar and Congress President Rahul Gandhi contesting from Wayanad.
05:15 AM IST
Lok Sabha elections: Constituencies and seats for third phase
Voting will be completed in all seats of Gujarat, Kerala, Goa, Karanataka, Chhattisgarh, Assam, Karnataka, Kerala, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu with the third phase polls.
Voting will take place for all 26 constituencies in Gujarat, all 20 seats in Kerala, 14 each in Maharashtra and Karnataka, 10 in Uttar Pradesh, seven in Chhattisgarh, six in Odisha, five each in Bihar and West Bengal, four in Assam, two in Goa, one each in Jammu and Kashmir, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu and Tripura.
05:10 AM IST
As many as 116 parliamentary constituencies to go for polls today
As many as 116 parliamentary constituencies will go for polls today across 13 states and two Union Territories in the third phase of the Lok Sabha elections.
05:00 AM IST
Third phase polling on Tuesday across 15 states today
People in 15 states will vote on Tuesday in the third phase of Lok Sabha elections scheduled for Tuesday which will see a maximum of 117 seats going to the polls in a single phase of seven-phased election.