Lok Sabha elections Phase 2 HIGHLIGHTS: 61.12 per cent turnout till 5pm; violence cripples vote in Bengal, Manipur

In Odisha, a woman died after casting her vote and in neighbouring Chhattisgarh, an on-duty officer also perished due to heart attack.

Polling in the second phase of the Lok Sabha elections started on a sluggish note as Tamil Nadu and West Bengal recorded multiple EVM snags across the state.

Voters across eleven states and one Union territory exercised their electoral franchise today to elect representatives to 95 Lok Sabha seats. This was the first time that the Dravidian parties AIADMK and DMK are going to the polls without their stalwarts Jayalalithaa and Karunanidhi.

Further EVM glitches and party scuffle marred polling in Bengaluru while West Bengal witnessed several bouts of violence across the seats including the death of a BJP worker. In Odisha, a woman died after casting her vote and in neighbouring Chhattisgarh, an on-duty officer also perished due to heart attack.

Amidst missing voter slips in Tamil Nadu, three elderly citizens died and one AIADMK worker was hacked to death in broad daylight. The votes for the election, being held over seven phases, will be counted on May 23.

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17.8 per cent turnout in Jammu and Kashmir so far

Voter turnout till 11 AM in Jammu & Kashmir's Srinagar and Udhampur parliamentary constituency is 17.8 per cent.

Bangalore Central candidate arrives in auto to cast vote

Bengaluru Central Congress candidate Rizwan Arshad arrives in an auto to vote.

Maneka Gandhi files her nomination

Union Minister Maneka Gandhi files her nomination from Sultanpur Lok Sabha constituency.

Mandya independent candidate Sumalatha arrives to cast her vote

WATCH| Violence erupts in Darjeeling's Chopra as voters stage protest

CPM candidate Mohammad Selim's damaged car in Raiganj

BJP worker killed in Bengal's Purulia district

Body of Sishupal Sahish (28) was found hanging from a tree near his house at Senabona village in West Bengal's Purulia district this morning. This is the third such incident in a year. Earlier two BJP supporters were found dead in the same district.

Poor voter turnout across Chennai as many yet to receive booth slips

Chennai voters complain that no one visited their homes to give the slip. Hence, people are now queuing outside polling stations to get their booth slips. (CLICK HERE TO READ)

Cast my vote to save Article 35A: Kashmir voter

An emotional 65-year-old voter from Beerwah said, he is voting for development and safeguarding the Articles 370 and 35A. When asked if BJP returns to power in centre, Pathan said, "I should die instead of seeing BJP come to power again".

Polling percentage in Assam till 11 am

Karimganj 26

Diphu 25

Nagaon 28

Mangaldoi 27

Silchar 24

18.97 per cent turnout in Bihar

Voter turnout till 11 AM in Bihar stands at 18.97 per cent.

Former Prime Minister and JDS leader HD Deve Gowda cast his ballot

Karnataka: Former Prime Minister and JDS leader HD Deve Gowda and his wife cast their votes at a polling station in Hassan's Paduvalahippe. #LokSabhaElections2019 pic.twitter.com/kpBBzwbU7K

— ANI (@ANI) April 18, 2019

CPI(M) candidate Mohammed Salim's car attacked in Islampur

Raiganj CPI(M]) candidate Mohammed Salim's car attacked, pelted with stones in Islampur.

Incidents of violence reported from Darjeeling

 The police resorted to lathi charge to disperse angry voters who blocked a highway in Darjeeling. The Darjeeling constituency is currently held by BJP's  SS Ahluwalia.

Unaccounted cash seized in Mumbai

Election Commission Flying Squad has seized Rs 11.85 lakh unaccounted cash in Sion area. (ANI)

Civil Defence personnel helps a 75-year-old cast her vote in Bengaluru

Civil Defence personnel helps a 75-year-old cast her vote at Malleshwaram in Bengaluru.@XpressBengaluru @NewIndianXpress #ElectionsWithTNIE #LokSabhaEelctions2019 pic.twitter.com/xKutPaANvA

— Pushkar V (@pushkarv) April 18, 2019

Stone pelting on polling booth in Budgam's Nasrullahpora

A polling station (27D) in Nasrullahpora in Budgam came under attack from stone pelters this morning. A polling staff official said the stone pelting continued for about an hour. A contingent of BSF and policemen is deployed in the polling station and maintaining tight vigil. Of the 321 voters entitled to cast vote in the polling station, only one vote was cast till 9.20 am.

Rahul urges voters to 'vote for Nyay'

Congress president Rahul Gandhi urged voters to "vote for Nyay".  Gandhi also appealed to voters to vote for justice to the unemployed youth, struggling farmers, small businessmen and those who were persecuted due to their religion or caste.

Dynasty politics isn't an important issue now: Karnataka CM Kumaraswamy

Dynasty politics isn't an important issue now,country's problems are the main issue.Only because of dynasty politics®ional politics,this country developed in several states.We're not bothered abt criticism from BJP:  HD Kumaraswamy

6.5 per cent voter turnout till 9 am, voter dies in Odisha

A 95-year-old man reportedly died while waiting in queue to cast vote at Kansamari booth in Ganjam. 

105-year-old Kabaibai Ganpat Kamble on her way to cast her vote in Latur Constituency

EVM snag delays voting in Marathawada's Beed

In Beed voting began after 8.43 am due to snag in EVM at Mohkhed and in Nanded 78 EVMs have been replaced since morning.

Prime Minister urges youngsters to vote

Dear Citizens of India,

Phase 2 of the Lok Sabha polls start today. I am sure all those whose seats are polling today will strengthen our democracy by exercising their franchise.

I hope more youngsters head to the polling booths and vote!

— Chowkidar Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 18, 2019

UP Congress chief and Fatehpur Sikri candidate Raj Babbar cast his vote

Mathura: UP Congress chief Raj Babbar and party's candidate from Fatehpur Sikri casts his vote at the polling booth in Radha Ballabh Inter College, for #LokSabhaElections2019 pic.twitter.com/7HoLJ16OCK

— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) April 18, 2019

Voting underway in 14 Karnataka seats; Deve Gowda, grandsons in fray

Prominent contestants in this phase include former prime minister H D Deve Gowda (Tumkur), his grandsons Prajwal Revanna and Nikhil Kumaraswamy from Hassan and Mandya respectively, as also Union minister Sadananda Gowda (Bangalore North), and senior Congress leaders Veerappa Moily (Chikkaballapura) and K H Muniyappa (Kolar).

On duty poll officer dies in Chhattisgarh

A polling official deputed at polling booth number 186 in Kanker dies of heart attack during election duty. (ANI)

Polling underway amidst heavy security in Kashmir

Polling is currently underway in three central Kashmir districts Budgam, Srinagar and Ganderbal. NC president Farooq Abdullah is seeking re-election from Srinagar LS seat.

Voters boycott election at Billena Hosahalli in Hunsur of Mysuru

15.7 crore citizens are expected to cast their ballot today

Polling percentages till 9 am

Assam (5 seats)-9.51%,J&K (2 seats)-0.99%,Karnataka (14 seats)1.14%, Maha(10)-0.85%,Manipur(1)-1.78%,Odisha(5)-2.15%, TN(38)-0.81%, Tripura(1)-0.00%, UP(8)-3.99%, WB(3)-0.55%, Chhattisgarh(3)-7.75% & Puducherry-1.62%.

Total voter turnout for 2nd phase of Lok Sabha Elections 2019 is 61.12%

107-year-old Padma awardee Saalumarada Thimmakka casts her vote

Karnataka: 107-year-old Padma awardee, Saalumarada Thimmakka casts her vote for the Bangalore Rural parliamentary constituency. #LokSabhaElections2019 pic.twitter.com/e7dJJgI2bO

— ANI (@ANI) April 18, 2019

Odisha CEO recommends re-polling in four booths of Daspalla constituency

Surendra Kumar, Chief Electoral Officer, Odisha has recommended re-polling in booth 213 in Sundergarh, booth 129 in Bonai, and booths 210 & 222 in Daspalla assembly constituency due to technical problems in EVM machines and VVPATs. (ANI)

WATCH|Violence disrupts polling in Inner Manipur

Woman dies after casting vote in Assam

A woman in Assam died at a polling station in Mangaldoi constituency. The deceased, identified as Bharati Kakati collapsed soon after casting her vote.

Voter turnout in four states till 3 pm

Voter Turnout In West Bengal At 65.43%

Voter Turnout In Jammu & Kashmir At 38.5%

Voter Turnout In Assam At 52.50%

Voter Turnout In Karnataka At 36.72%

Voters lathi-charged in Manipur

CRPF personnel opened blank fire and resorted to lathi-charge to disperse a crowd that allegedly tried to barge into Kyamgei Muslim Makha Leikai polling station of Inner Manipur seat.

Former Puducherry CM N Rangaswamy en route polling station

West Bengal records 65.43% turnout till 3.00 pm

Jalpaiguri (SC) - 71.32%

Darjeeling - 63.14%

Raiganj - 61.84 %

Nearly 30 per cent polling in Kashmir so far

Jammu and Kashmir recorded nearly 30 per cent polling till 1 pm in Udhampur and Srinagar Lok Sabha constituencies Thursday, poll officials said.

Polling in Bengaluru marred by Congress-BJP workers' row, EVM glitches

Tension prevailed in Shantinagar when some names of voters were found missing from the electoral roll.Meanwhile, a fight broke out between BJP and Congress workers in Vijinapura near K R Puram in Bengaluru North Constituency.

In Tamil Nadu, AIADMK alleges violation of model code by Dayanidhi Maran

The ruling AIADMK in Tamil Nadu Thursday alleged violation of the model code of conduct by DMK leader Dayanidhi Maran, the candidate from Central Chennai Lok Sabha constituency, saying he sought votes on polling day.

35.4 per cent turnout in Maharashtra

Voter turnout till 1 PM in Maharashtra is 35.4 per cent

EC frisks luggage and chopper of Karnakata CM HD Kumaraswamy

Uttara Kannada: Election Commission officials searched the luggage and chopper of Karnakata Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy, today. pic.twitter.com/yiNIuwx0Fv

— ANI (@ANI) April 18, 2019

Karnataka turnout till 1 pm: 28.5%

Udupi-Chikmagalur: 39.22 %

Dakshina Kannada: 38.36%

Tumakuru: 38%

Chitradurga: 35.48%

Kolar (SC): 27.98%

Chikkabalapur 29.59%

Mandya: 21.57%

Hassan: 36.18%

Chamarajnagar:27.8%

Mysuru: 32.32%

Kashmir's human shield victim to boycott polls?

Farooq Ahmad Dar, who was used as a human shield, tied on to the bonnet of army vehicle and paraded in over dozen villages on April 2017 Srinagar bypolls, has not cast his vote in this parliament election till 12.30 pm. According to poll official of Polling Station No 107 in Chill village, the native village of Farooq Dar, the human shield victim had not voted.

He said, although his name figures in the voters list but he has not turned up to exercise his right to franchise. The poling station had witnessed moderate polling with 133 out of total 890 voters execising their right to franchise till 12.30 pm. In 2107 bypolls to Srinagar LS seat, Dar was intercepted by army men in Beerwah village after he had cast vote.

(Inputs from Fayaz Wani)

BJP worker killed in Purulia, family allege TMC hand

Though family members are yet to a formal complaint with police, they said that Sishupal Sahish was murdered by Trinamool Congress cadres.

(CLICK HERE TO READ)

41 years later, Bangalore Central candidate Prakash Raj returns to his school to cast vote

I got to VOTE in my school and in the very class room I sat 41 years ago ..NOSTALGIC.. a NEW JOURNEY.. a NEW HORIZON.. feeling blessed by LIFE. pic.twitter.com/CVWlZ7XOJv

— Prakash Raj (@prakashraaj) April 18, 2019

For the first time I have voted for myself: Sumalatha Ambareesh

For the first time I have voted for myself, it was a new experience and a new beginning will start from today," said independent candidate Sumalatha Ambareesh, talking to the media at Dodda Arasinkere in Maddur after casting her vote.

Sumalatha

She said the people had washed out the the dirt and that good days are here for the people of Mandya. Talking about her experience voting, she said that even she took five minutes to trace her number on the EVM. " I am confident that people of Mandya are mature and they will definitely cast their vote to elect their leader."

Sumalatha said that there has been an overwhelming response in every village she visited from the morning as she appealed to all the voters to participate in the festival of democracy to build a strong Nation and to elect a strong leader.

She expressed satisfaction over preparations made by the district officers to conduct a free and fair election however there were few cases of people taking law and order into their hands and targeting her supporters, she said.

When asked about the issues of EVM and complaints of second EVM being faulty, she said that JD S has tried every way to do their mischief. "there may be the possibility of a few tampering incidents, I will take it up with the ECI."

Sumalatha recieved good response when she reached the booth and she stood in line with other women to vote. She also offered puja at Kannada Basaveshwara Temple before voting.

She paid a visit to the Chamundeshwari temple in Mysore earlier in the day where she appealed to the people of Mandya to vote for self respect.