Voting begins in 59 seats in sixth phase of Lok Sabha polls

Voting began on Sunday across 59 Lok Sabha constituencies spread over seven states in the sixth round of seven-phase Lok Sabha elections.

A total electorate of 10.17 crore is eligible to exercise their franchise in this phase, which covers 14 seats in Uttar Pradesh, 10 in Haryana, 8 each in Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and West Bengal, 4 in Jharkhand and 7 seats in Delhi.

Prominent candidates in this phase include three-time Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, who faces state BJP chief Manoj Tiwari in Delhi North East, former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Digvijaya Singh against BJP’s Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur in Bhopal, former cricketer Gautam Gambhir (BJP) against AAP’s Atishi in East Delhi, Union Ministers Maneka Gandhi from UP’s Sultanpur, Congress’ General Secretary (West UP) Jyotiraditya Scindia from Madhya Pradesh’s Guna, former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda from Sonipat, boxer Vijendra from South Delhi and Samajwadi Party (SP) President Akhilesh Yadav from Uttar Pradesh’s Azamgarh.

The seven-phase Lok Sabha elections began on April 11 and would conclude on May 19 and the counting of votes will take place on May 23.