Third Phase Lok Sabha Elections: 65% Turnout, Clashes in West Bengal

The third phase of Lok Sabha elections in India saw a voter turnout of nearly 65% across 93 constituencies in 11 states and Union Territories. Assam recorded the highest turnout at 81.71%, followed by West Bengal at 76.52% and Goa at 75.20%. Uttar Pradesh had the lowest turnout at 57.34%, with Bihar at 58.18%, Gujarat at 59.51% and Maharashtra at 61.44%. The overall voting percentage was 64.58%. The Election Commission (EC) stated that these figures are approximate trends and may rise as data is collected.Voting has now been completed in 20 states/UTs and 282 Lok Sabha seats out of 543. The overall voting percentage in the first and second phases was 66.14% and 66.71%, respectively. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah were among those who exercised their franchise in Gujarat, where elections were held in 25 seats.The stakes are high for the BJP in this round, as it had won an overwhelming majority of these seats, including all in Gujarat, Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh, in the last election. Both the BJP and the INDIA bloc claimed that they had the upper hand after the third phase.In West Bengal, sporadic incidents of violence marred the polling in four constituencies as TMC, BJP and Congress-CPIM workers clashed with each other in various parts of Murshidabad and Jangipur seats. The EC received 182 complaints by 9 am, most of which were from Murshidabad and Jangipur constituencies.In Uttar Pradesh, Agra witnessed 53.99% polling, Aonla 57.08%, Budaun 54.05%, Bareilly 57.88%, Etah 59.17%, Fatehpur Sikri 57.09%, Firozabad 58.22%, Hathras 55.36%, Mainpuri 58.59% and Sambhal 62.81%. In Mainpuri, BJP people are trying to loot booths, according to SP chief Yadav.In Karnataka, Union Ministers Pralhad Joshi and Bhagwanth Khuba, and Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge were among those who came in early to cast their votes.The next four phases will be on May 13, May 20, May 25 and June 1, with the counting of votes taking place on June 4.