Voting for the first phase of Lok Sabha elections across 21 states and Union Territories saw a 60.03% turnout, lower than the 69.43% recorded in 2019. Violence marred polling in parts of West Bengal and Manipur, with allegations of chaos and intimidation by BJP supporters in Cooch Behar and firing incidents in Manipur. Despite the disturbances, Manipur (68.62%) and Bengal (77.57%) reported high turnouts. With the BJP-led NDA seeking a third term and the Opposition vying under the INDIA bloc, attention now shifts to Tamil Nadu's 39 seats, where PM Modi campaigned extensively.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah filed his nomination papers for the Gandhinagar Lok Sabha seat, accompanied by Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel. Submitting his papers at exactly 12:39 pm, Shah embraced the opportunity to serve the constituency under Prime Minister Modi's leadership. Having secured victory in the 2019 elections by over 5 lakh votes, Shah seeks to reaffirm support from constituents. Voting for all 26 Lok Sabha seats in Gujarat is scheduled for the third phase on May 7.

Violence erupted during the Lok Sabha polls in Manipur's Inner Manipur constituency as armed men intimidated election agents and fired shots near polling booths. Incidents of intimidation and firing occurred in multiple locations, including Thamnapokpi and Uripok. Voters retaliated by damaging EVMs and election materials. Congress candidate Angomcha Bimol Akoijam lodged a complaint after his agent was forcefully removed by armed youths. Manipur's chief electoral officer Pradeep Kumar Jha vowed to investigate. Earlier clashes resulted in EVM damage at Khongman Zone 4. The situation remains tense as polling continues.

In the first phase of Lok Sabha elections across 21 states and Union Territories, the voter turnout stood at 59.71% till 6 PM, a decrease from 2019's 69.43%. Despite reports of violence in West Bengal and Manipur, Bengal recorded the highest turnout at 77.57%, followed by Tripura (76.10%) and Puducherry (72.84%). Prominent figures like P. Chidambaram and Rajinikanth exercised their franchise. The ruling NDA seeks a third term under PM Modi, while the opposition aims to gain ground. The Election Commission deployed over 18 lakh polling personnel across 1.87 lakh stations. Voting continues in the seven-phase election until June 4.

Voting at 5 Thongju and 31 Khongman Zones in Imphal came to a standstill as women raised objections, alleging irregularities during polling. The polling officer closed the booths in response to the disturbance, as confirmed by Imphal East DC. Additionally, five booths, two in East Imphal and three in West Imphal, halted polling due to similar claims of irregularities. Earlier, panic ensued when miscreants fired near a polling station in Thamanpokpi, injuring a voter. A viral video captures the chaos as voters fled amid gunfire. Manipur's ongoing elections face turbulence amidst security concerns.

Residents of six districts in Nagaland staged a mass boycott of the Lok Sabha polls, yielding zero voter turnout. The Eastern Nagaland People's Organisation (ENPO) spearheaded the protest, demanding a separate state, "Frontier Nagaland." Over 4 lakh voters abstained from voting, showing solidarity with ENPO's grievances of neglect and lack of development in the region. Despite 738 polling stations being set up, no voters cast their ballots by 1 pm. ENPO declared a "public emergency," barring political campaigning in the affected districts, citing government delays in addressing their demands since 2010.

As Phase 1 of Lok Sabha elections commenced, tragedy struck in Chhattisgarh's Bastar constituency as a CRPF assistant commandant lost his life in an IED blast near a polling booth. The incident occurred under Bhairamgarh police station limits. Despite reports of irregularities and violence in Manipur and West Bengal, the Election Commission assures smooth polling across 21 states and Union territories. The day saw a 49.78% voter turnout by 3 pm, with Tamil Nadu, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, and northeastern states witnessing elections alongside assemblies in Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim.

Incidents of intimidation and violence marred the first phase of Lok Sabha elections in Manipur, with armed men firing shots near polling booths in Thamnapokpi, prompting voters to flee. Reports from Uripok and Iroishemba cited political party agents being ousted, leading to altercations and damage to election materials. Videos circulated on social media showed EVMs lying on the ground and furniture damaged. Tripura led in voter turnout at 53.04%, while Manipur saw high percentages despite the unrest. Notably, this election marks the first major battle post the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir.

In the first phase of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, voter turnout varied across states till 1 PM. Violence-hit Manipur saw a turnout of 45.68%, while West Bengal and Tripura led with 50.96% and 53.06% respectively. Chhattisgarh's Bastar constituency, plagued by Naxalism, recorded over 28% turnout despite a grenade explosion injuring a CRPF jawan. The incident didn't deter voters. These figures reflect the diverse electoral landscape and resilience of voters in exercising their democratic rights amidst challenges.  

Fresh violence erupted in Manipur's Imphal West district during Phase 1 of voting for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Miscreants destroyed EVMs in Iroishemba and Bhamon Kampu, demanding only BJP agents at polling stations. In Kangpokpi, low voter turnout was observed. A shooting incident in Thamanpokpi claimed three lives, prompting heightened security measures. Vandalism was also reported in Thongju. Despite security arrangements, violence marred the Inner Manipur constituency, highlighting challenges in ensuring peaceful elections.