Voting has ended for the seventh and final phase of Lok Sabha elections. This round brings an end to the mammoth seven-phase exercise that saw millions of Indians voting to choose who will represent them in the 17th Lok Sabha. In the 7th phase, 59 seats went to polls across seven states and one Union territory. Among the key states voted today are Punjab (13), West Bengal (9), Madhya Pradesh (8) and Uttar Pradesh (13).
Incidents of violence in West Bengal and clashes in Punjab were reported during the seventh and last phase of Lok Sabha polls on Sunday, with 56.30% polling being recorded till 5pm in 59 seats. The last phase of Lok Sabha elections, which will decide the fate of 918 candidates, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, also saw EVM glitches and poll boycott at some booths. Punjab saw a polling percentage of 55.44 per cent till 5pm in 13 Lok Sabha seats. In Madhya Pradesh, 62.48 per cent voter turnout was recorded till 5 pm in eight Lok Sabha seats. In Uttar Pradesh 48.90% voting was recorded till 5 pm in 13 Lok Sabha seats.
The counting of votes will take place on May 23.