Lok Sabha Election Results 2024 Live Updates: Stage set for counting, Congress hopes to prove exit polls wrong - The Times of India (2024)

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate from Hyderabad Madhavi Latha said that the entire country is looking forward to especially this particular seat's outcome in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.

"I am pretty excited and all of them who have voted for BJP in the entire country are looking forward to especially this particular seat, that we win and bring justice to the Lok Sabha seat in Hyderabad," Latha said speaking to reporters on counting day.

It's BJP's Madhavi Latha versus AIMIM Chief Asaduddin Owaisi. A long-time RSS worker against a prominent Muslim leader who has been winning the Hyderabad constituency since 2004, with the last victory margin being over 3 lakh votes.

Speaking about Prime Minister Narendra Modi's contributions to the nation, the BJP candidate pitted against AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi said, "We all know that PM Modi in the entire two terms has tremendously worked for the nation and he has not just worked and left the love but he has also left a beautiful autograph of 'Modi Ka Pariwar' in the hearts of all Indians."

The mammoth exercise to count votes polled for the Lok Sabha seats in the 2024 elections will begin at 8 am on Tuesday.
Trends and results will begin from 8 am today.

Results of the Assembly elections in Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Odisha and Andhra Pradesh were held simultaneously with voting for the 543-member Lok Sabha. Results of 175 Assembly constituencies in Andhra Pradesh and 147 Assembly constituencies in Odisha and results of bypolls in 25 Assembly constituencies will also be declared today.

Strict security has been put in place for the smooth conduct of counting of votes for over 8,000 candidates in this general elections.

Buoyed by the exit polls results which have predicted a landslide victory for the Bharatiya Janata Party in the Lok Sabha elections, the Raipur unit of the ruling party has prepared 201 kilograms of laddus of 11 different types for their leaders and workers to celebrate their victory.

"We have set the target to distribute 201 kg of laddus and we have ordered 11 types of laddus. We will distribute laddus from noon till 11 at night," BJP district vice president Lalit Jai Singh said speaking on Sunday day ahead of the counting of votes.

Speaking about the various types of laddus prepared to celebrate their victory for the third consecutive time, Singh said, "There are laddus made of besan, atta, coconut, chocolate, boondi...We have ordered eleven types of laddus."

Exuding confidence in the BJP winning more than 400 seats in the Lok Sabha elections, Singh said, "There is a wave of Bharatiya Janata Party in the whole country. PM Modi has set a target of winning more than 400 seats. We expect the BJP to win more than 400 seats and will be winning with a comfortable majority."

The counting of votes will begin shortly in 48 Lok Sabha seats of Maharashtra where the rival Shiv Sena and NCP factions, as well as the ruling BJP and the opposition Congress, are jockeying for political supremacy.

The exercise would be held at 289 counting halls and 4,309 counting tables by 14,507 personnel.

Adequate police security was in place at all the counting centres, as per a statement from the state Chief Electoral Officer.

The electoral performance in Maharashtra is crucial for both the ruling Mahayuti and opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) as the western state sends 48 members to the Lok Sabha, the second highest after Uttar Pradesh, which elects 80 MPs.

The BJP said on Monday that the Congress and its allies have not only squandered the trust of the people but also failed to exhibit responsible opposition behavior by consistently undermining democratic institutions. Sudhanshu Trivedi, the party's spokesperson, stated during a press briefing that opposition parties have been acting under the influence of "external forces" determined to undermine the essence of the country's democracy.

Trivedi highlighted that the Congress and other opposition parties are propagating "baseless" allegations regarding the nation's electoral processes to sow "discontent" in society prior to the vote count. In a lighter vein, he urged them not to perceive the entire country as naive, cautioning against attempting to deceive the Indian populace. He accused them of leveling such accusations to feed their egos, akin to despotic rulers.

With counting slated for today for the Lok Sabha elections, which have seen the largest voter participation, the electoral fate of several leaders across the political spectrum will be decided.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, home minister Amit Shah, and defence minister Rajnath Singh are among the senior BJP leaders in the fray. Key opposition leaders, including former Congress chief Rahul Gandhi, NCP's Supriya Sule, and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, are also contesting the poll.

Bharatiya Janata Party is eyeing a third straight term in power, while the Opposition under the umbrella of the INDIA bloc is seeking to wrest power from the ruling party.

Meanwhile, all the exit polls have predicted the BJP returning to power with a resounding majority, with further inroads in Odisha, West Bengal, and southern states.

With hours left before the counting of votes for the Lok Sabha elections in the world's largest democracy, security has been heightened at multiple locations across the country with police and paramilitary forces conducting intensive patrolling.

Visuals from the national capital showed that the North-East Delhi District Police along with paramilitary forces were patrolling and checking vehicles in Nand Nagri, Seelampur, Dayalpur, Sonia Vihar and Bhajanpura areas of Delhi.

Patrolling is also on at the Connaught Place and Barakhamba areas of Delhi. Security has been heightened at counting centres in Delhi's Khelgaon, Siri Institutional Area and other places as well.

Around 70 companies of the security forces have been deployed at all seven counting centres across the national capital as part of the elaborate security arrangements made by the Delhi Police for the vote-counting day.

Following allegations made by former chief minister of Chhattisgarh, Bhupesh Baghel, that numerous electronic voting machines in his Rajnandgaon constituency had changed, the state's Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) clarified in a series of posts on 'X' that the "mismatch" in the number of EVMs shared with Baghel is not supported by facts.

"The alleged mismatch in EVMs number shared with the INC candidate of Rajnandgaon PC is not based on facts. The EVMs used during polls are exactly according to the list of machines shared by Returning Officer after randomization with contesting candidates," CEO Chhattisgarh said in a post on 'X'.

Senior BJP leader Uma Bharti on Monday said the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) will win around 450 Lok Sabha seats, more than the numbers predicted by the exit polls.

In a post on X, former Union minister Bharti also said that pilgrims from various states and seers whom she met in the last two-and-a-half months of her stay in the Himalayas only spoke of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The BJP had given the slogan of '400 paar' for its alliance in the Lok Sabha polls.

"The exit polls came out day before yesterday, whatever their estimates are, but my estimate cannot be less than four hundred and fifty (seats for NDA)," Bharti said on her X handle.

The 26 opposition parties formed a grand alliance just a few months before the 2024 Lok Sabha elections naming it the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA).

The aim was to challenge PM Modi's BJP in the 2024 general elections. The alliance includes major national parties such as the Indian National Congress, Trinamool Congress, and regional heavyweights like the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and Samajwadi Party. The alliance is yet to announce a prime ministerial candidate, with some suggesting a consensus candidate may emerge after the elections.

The formation of the INDIA alliance marks a significant development in Indian politics, as opposition parties seek to consolidate their efforts to unseat the BJP in the upcoming general elections. The alliance's ability to address key issues and present a united front will be crucial in their bid to provide a viable alternative to the current government.

The 2024 Lok Sabha elections saw Jammu and Kashmir witnessing the greatest voter participation in the last 35 years. In a statement, the EC had said, "The final voter turnout in J&K is 143889, which is approximately 11.3% more than the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. It is the highest voter turnout in the last 35 years."

The 2024 Lok Sabha Elections marked a significant milestone for the Union Territory, as it was the inaugural major electoral event following the momentous decision by the NDA government to revoke Article 370 of the Constitution in August 2019. This historic move had far-reaching implications for the region, as the former state was subsequently bifurcated into two distinct Union Territories: Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh.

The elections served as a litmus test for the political landscape in the newly formed Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, gauging the public's response to the constitutional changes and the ensuing administrative restructuring. The contest witnessed intense campaigning from various political parties, each vying to secure the support of the electorate in this transformative phase of the region's history.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi chose to contest the 2024 Lok Sabha elections from Rae Bareli in Uttar Pradesh instead of his former constituency, Amethi. Rae Bareli has been a stronghold of the Gandhi family, with Sonia Gandhi representing the constituency since 2004.

In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, Sonia Gandhi won the seat by a margin of over 1.6 lakh votes against her nearest rival, Dinesh Pratap Singh of the BJP. Rahul Gandhi's decision to contest from Rae Bareli is seen as a strategic move by the Congress party. By choosing a safe seat, the party aims to ensure his victory and maintain the Gandhi family's presence in the Lok Sabha.

Additionally, the move allows the party to focus its resources on other crucial constituencies. Amethi, on the other hand, was once considered a bastion of the Gandhi family.

However, in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, Rahul Gandhi suffered a shocking defeat at the hands of BJP leader Smriti Irani by a margin of over 55,000 votes. The loss was a significant setback for the Congress party and raised questions about Rahul Gandhi's leadership. By opting for Rae Bareli, Rahul Gandhi aims to avoid a repeat of the 2019 defeat and secure a comfortable victory.

Though she did not contest the election, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra took charge of the Congress party's campaign in the key constituencies of Amethi and Raebareli in Uttar Pradesh. With a strong connection to these regions, which have been represented by her family members in the past, Priyanka seemed determined to secure victory for her party in the upcoming elections. Priyanka's speeches were delivered with passion and conviction.

"I am here because this is my home, my family. I want to work for you, understand your problems and find solutions," she had declared at a public meeting. Her ability to connect with the audience was evident in how she engaged with them directly.

Throughout the campaign, Priyanka remained energetic and spontaneous. She mingled with supporters, shook hands, and posed for selfies. Her down-to-earth demeanor resonated with the locals. "Priyanka Gandhi listens to everyone and tries to solve their problems," remarked Rajkumar Yadav, a resident of Rae Bareli.

Priyanka's campaign focused on highlighting the issues faced by the people of Amethi and Rae Bareli. She criticised the state government's policies and promised to work towards development and progress. Her message was one of hope and change, aiming to inspire voters to support the Congress party in the elections.

As the results of The Lok Sabha elections 2024 start coming in, all eyes will be on Maharashtra. The Shiv Sena, led by Uddhav Thackeray, faces a significant challenge following the party's split in 2022. The faction led by Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, now recognised as the official Shiv Sena by the Election Commission, has aligned itself with the BJP, potentially impacting the electoral landscape in the state. In 2019, the Shiv Sena allied with BJP, securing 18 out of the 48 seats in Maharashtra. However, the party's internal turmoil and the subsequent split have raised questions about its ability to maintain its stronghold in the state. As the political landscape in Maharashtra continues to evolve, the Shiv Sena's performance in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections will serve as a litmus test for the party's resilience and ability to adapt to the changing dynamics. The outcome of these elections will not only shape the future of the Shiv Sena but also have significant implications for the broader political equations in the state.

India bloc leaders to meet after Lok Sabha election results, discuss future strategy

The INDIA bloc leaders are set to convene following the announcement of the Lok Sabha election results on Tuesday.

Jairam Ramesh, Congress general secretary, said in an X post on Monday, "INDIA leaders will obviously meet after the results are declared. Any other meaning being given to it is completely misleading and false."

As the Lok Sabha election results are set to be announced, Mallikarjun Kharge, the president of the Congress party, addressed a letter to government officials on Monday. In his message, Kharge called upon the civil servants to carry out their responsibilities "in the spirit of the Constitution, without any coercion, threat, pressure or intimidation either from the ruling party/coalition or from the opposition party/coalition".

Kharge expressed his concern over the past ten years, which he believes have seen a deliberate effort by the ruling party to undermine and suppress autonomous institutions. He appealed to the bureaucracy "to adhere to the Constitution, enact their duties, and serve the nation, without fear, favour and ill-will against anybody".

Six retired judges from Madras high court and one from Patna HC have written to President Droupadi Murmu and chief election commissioner Rajiv Kumar, expressing deep concern over the conduct of the 2024 general elections and urging protection of “electoral democracy in India”.

The letter, writer by former judges D Hariparanthaman, GM Akbar Ali, Aruna Jagadeesan, PR Sivakumar, S Vimala, and CT Selvam from Madras HC, along with Anjana Prakash from Patna HC, highlights issues in the electoral process.

They criticised EC’s refusal to disclose the exact numbers of votes cast in each booth of every constituency and the lack of public availability of Form 17(C) of Conduct of Election Rules. They also condemned the minimal action taken against hate speech targeting minorities and opposition parties by senior politicians of the governing party.

BJP on Monday said that Congress and its allies have not only lost people’s confidence but also missed the opportunity to behave as a responsible opposition as they have consistently tried to demean democratic institutions by casting aspersions on them.

At a press conference, party’s spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi said that the opposition parties had been acting at the behest of “external forces” which have been hell bent on weakening the spirit of the country’s democracy.

He said Congress and other opposition parties are raising “baseless” questions on the country’s election process to create “unrest” in society ahead of counting.

“On the lighter note, I would ask them not to consider the entire country a ‘pappu’. Don’t try to hoodwink the people of India. They are wise enough to understand that you are levelling these types of allegations to satisfy your ego like a despotic prince,” he charged.

“Wait for the results of the elections. Be ready to gracefully accept defeat, rather than demeaning the dignity of democracy,” he added.

A day after Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal claimed that all exit polls that predicted BJP-led NDA return were “fake”, AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh on Monday demanded a ban on exit polls, claiming they have been proven wrong several times.

Singh highlighted reports from different states to claim that as per certain exit polls “CPI(M), which is not contesting elections in Jharkhand, is being given 2-3 seats, while LJP, which is contesting on five seats in Bihar, is being given six seats.” He further claimed that while there are five seats in Uttarakhand, exit polls are giving BJP six seats, and in Rajasthan where there are 25 seats the results are being shown for 33 seats.

“Exit polls have been proved wrong many times and the survey agencies have no accountability if the results are contrary. Therefore, exit polls should be stopped in the country,” Singh said.

Singh said BJP is trying to confuse people and influence the counting of votes through exit polls. He claimed that the INDIA bloc will get 295 seats after the June 4 counting.

The officials have stated that all the required preparations are in place for tallying the votes cast in the election for the 17 Lok Sabha seats in Telangana. Approximately 10,000 staff members are ready to participate in the process, which is scheduled to commence on Tuesday.

The vote counting will start at 8 am on Tuesday, taking place across 34 different locations.

The counting of postal ballots and votes cast in EVMs would start at 8 am in all constituencies. Postal ballots would be counted in separate halls. To ensure the security of the strongrooms, a three-tier security arrangement has been established, and 12 units of central forces have been deployed.

The Election Commission (EC) has taken an unprecedented step to ensure peace and stability in the aftermath of the Lok Sabha polls. Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar announced on Monday that central forces will remain deployed in certain states even after the Model Code of Conduct period has ended. Although the EC is confident that there will be no incidents of post-poll violence, the decision to keep the central forces in place has been made as a precautionary measure to prevent any potential flare-ups. "Wherever we think there is a possibility (of violence)," Kumar stated during a press conference.

The states where the central forces will continue to be stationed include Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, and Manipur. This marks the first time that such a decision has been made by the election body, highlighting the importance of maintaining peace and order in the wake of the electoral process.