New Delhi [India], May 13 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed hope on Monday morning that people would vote in large numbers to strengthen democracy, while Union Home Minister Amit Shah urged voters, including those in Jammu and Kashmir, to reach polling centers. As voting began for the fourth phase of Lok Sabha elections, a record number of votes were cast.

Addressing the public, PM Modi said, “Today, in the fourth phase of Lok Sabha elections, voting is taking place on 96 seats across 10 states and union territories. I am confident that people will vote in large numbers in these constituencies, and young voters as well as female voters will empower this surge in voting. Let’s all fulfill our duty and strengthen our democracy!”

Union Home Minister Amit Shah urged voters, including those in Jammu and Kashmir, to reach polling centers in record numbers.

I appeal to the voters of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, and Jammu and Kashmir to come out in record numbers to the polling centers in the fourth phase of the Lok Sabha elections and create a government that prioritizes the respect for heritage, with the primary goal of the welfare of the poor, aims to end Naxalism, and is dedicated to the development of India. Your every vote will work as a strong pillar for a stable, strong, and decisive government.”

“The voting for the fourth phase of Lok Sabha elections began at 7 AM today in 96 parliamentary constituencies across nine states and one union territory. Alongside the Lok Sabha elections, polling also commenced for all 175 seats of the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly and 28 seats of the Odisha Legislative Assembly.”

“Out of the 96 Lok Sabha seats, 25 are from Andhra Pradesh, 17 from Telangana, 13 from Uttar Pradesh, 11 from Maharashtra, eight each from Madhya Pradesh and West Bengal, five from Bihar, four each from Jharkhand and Odisha, and one from Jammu and Kashmir.”

The Election Commission of India said, ‘In the fourth phase of the Lok Sabha elections, a total of 1,717 candidates will contest across 10 states/union territories.'”

According to the Election Commission, a total of 4,264 nominations were filed for the 96 parliamentary constituencies. The Election Commission further stated that the highest number of nominations forms were received from Telangana (1488), followed by 1103 nominations from 25 constituencies in Andhra Pradesh. In Telangana, Malkajgiri parliamentary constituency received the highest number of 177 nomination forms, followed by 114 nomination forms each in Nalgonda and Bhongir constituencies in the same state.

In the fourth phase, significant contests are being witnessed in various electoral constituencies. Leaders such as AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, West Bengal Congress chief Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, TMC leader Mahua Moitra, BJP leader Giriraj Singh, JD(U)’s Rajiv Ranjan Singh (Lalan Singh), TMC leader Shatrughan Sinha, and Yusuf Pathan are competing. BJP leaders Arjun Munda and Madhavi Lata, and Andhra Pradesh Congress chief Y.S. Sharmila are also in the quest for electoral success.

Baharampur, Hyderabad, Krishnanagar, Begusarai, Munger, Srinagar, Asansol, Kannauj, Kadapa, and Khunti are some prominent Lok Sabha seats where voting is underway. The Election Commission announced on Sunday that the voting time for some assembly constituencies in 17 parliamentary constituencies of Telangana has been extended (from 7 am to 6 pm) to increase voter participation.

According to IMD’s previous forecast, there is no significant concern regarding the hot weather conditions for voting in phase 4.

The weather forecast indicates that in the parliamentary constituencies where voting is taking place, there is a likelihood of temperatures remaining slightly below normal (+-2 degrees), and there will be no extreme conditions like heatstroke on the polling day in these areas. However, for the convenience of voters, precautionary arrangements, including water, shade, and fans, have been meticulously arranged at all polling centers,” said the Election Commission.

“Up until the third phase of the Lok Sabha elections, voting has been conducted smoothly and peacefully on 283 Lok Sabha seats.” (ANI)