With voting in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal underway, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has urged voters to turn out in record numbers, calling voting a “sacred democratic duty” as crucial assembly elections kick off.
On Thursday PM appealed to voters in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal to participate actively in the Assembly elections, describing voting as a “sacred democratic duty” and encouraging strong turnout, especially among young people and women.The call comes as polling got underway in both states amid elaborate security arrangements, with authorities aiming for smooth conduct across constituencies. The elections are being seen as politically significant, with staggered phases in West Bengal and a single-phase vote in Tamil Nadu shaping the immediate electoral landscape.
In a message posted on X, PM Modi urged voters in Tamil Nadu to take part enthusiastically and help set a new benchmark in voter participation. “As the people of Tamil Nadu prepare to vote in the Assembly elections, I urge all voters to fulfil this sacred democratic duty with great enthusiasm. In particular, I call upon the youth and women of Tamil Nadu to turn out in large numbers and pave the way for a record turnout of votes,” he wrote.
Issuing a similar appeal for West Bengal, where the first phase of polling is being held on Thursday, the Prime Minister called the electoral exercise a “festival of democracy” and asked citizens to vote in large numbers. “The first phase of voting for the West Bengal Assembly elections is today. I call upon all citizens to participate with full enthusiasm in this festival of democracy. I especially urge my young friends and the women of West Bengal to vote in large numbers,” he said.
Voting commenced early in the day across both states, with polling scheduled to continue till 6 pm. Election officials conducted mock polls at polling stations before the start of voting to ensure the readiness of the process.
Tamil Nadu is witnessing a single-phase election covering all 234 Assembly constituencies. In contrast, West Bengal is voting in two phases for its 294 seats, with 152 constituencies going to polls in the first phase and the remaining seats set to vote on April 29.According to the Election Commission of India, as many as 1,478 candidates are contesting in the first phase of polling. The counting of votes for both states is scheduled for May 4.
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