Live Updates: Phase 7 of Lok Sabha Elections Underway with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the Fray


Today marks the commencement of the final phase of the Lok Sabha elections, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi among the notable contenders. As of 5 pm, the voter turnout stands at 58.3% across seven states and Chandigarh. Bihar records the lowest turnout at over 35%, while Himachal Pradesh boasts the highest at 48.6%.


Across 57 constituencies in seven states and Chandigarh, voters are casting their ballots to determine the fate of 904 candidates. Campaigning concluded on Thursday, with prominent leaders hosting extensive rallies nationwide.


Thirteen seats each in Uttar Pradesh and Punjab, nine in West Bengal, eight in Bihar, six in Odisha, four in Himachal Pradesh, three in Jharkhand, and Chandigarh's lone Lok Sabha seat are up for grabs in this phase.


Apart from PM Modi, who is vying for the seat in Varanasi, other key BJP contenders include Union Minister Anurag Thakur from Himachal Pradesh's Hamirpur, Ravi Shankar Prasad from Bihar's Patna Sahib, and actor Kangana Ranaut from Himachal Pradesh's Mandi.


Congress' Manish Tewari is contesting from Chandigarh, while Vikramaditya Singh and Ajay Rai are in the fray from Himachal Pradesh's Mandi and Varanasi, respectively. Mamata Banerjee's nephew and Trinamool Congress MP Abhishek Banerjee is contesting from Diamond Harbour constituency.