The fifth phase of the Lok Sabha elections saw over 47 per cent voter turnout till 3 pm on Monday across 49 constituencies in six states and two Union Territories, marred by sporadic violence in West Bengal and a poll boycott in a Uttar Pradesh village.
Reports of EVM glitches emerged from booths in Odisha and West Bengal, contributing to the chaos.
West Bengal recorded the highest turnout at 62.72 per cent, while Maharashtra saw the lowest at 38.77 per cent.
Other states reported turnout figures as follows: Bihar at 45.33 per cent, Jammu and Kashmir at 44.90 per cent, Jharkhand at 53.90 per cent, Odisha at 48.95 per cent, Uttar Pradesh at 47.55 per cent, and Ladakh at 61.26 per cent.
The overall turnout by 3 pm stood at approximately 47.53 per cent, according to the Election Commission.
Violence disrupted the polling process in several constituencies of West Bengal. Clashes between TMC and BJP workers were reported in Barrackpore, Bongaon, and Arambagh, with 1,036 complaints of EVM malfunctions and agents being blocked from booths.
In Arambagh's Khanakul area, TMC and BJP supporters clashed, while in Hooghly, BJP MP Locket Chatterjee faced protests led by TMC MLA Ashima Patra.
In Howrah, booth jamming allegations led to violence between BJP and TMC workers, and BJP leader Subir Biswas was beaten in Bongaon's Gayeshpur area.
In Uttar Pradesh, EVM malfunctions and allegations of voter intimidation surfaced.
Congress and Samajwadi Party candidates reported issues in Rae Bareli and Gonda. Voters in Hisampur Madho village, Kaushambi, boycotted the polls over unfulfilled infrastructure promises.
In Maharashtra, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray highlighted poor polling booth facilities, while BJP leader Kirit Somaiya accused Shiv Sena leaders of corrupt practices in Mumbai.
An auto-rickshaw driver was killed in Odisha's Bargarh district, allegedly over personal enmity, although family members claimed a political motive. EVM glitches were also reported in the state.
The elections, covering 23 states and Union Territories and 379 seats, continue with phases six and seven scheduled for May 25 and June 1, with vote counting on June 4.
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