The vibrant commencement of the fifth phase of the Lok Sabha elections brought an early morning spectacle in Mumbai, as several celebrities arrived to fulfill their civic duties. Prominent Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar, who recently acquired Indian citizenship, stood out among the first to cast their votes. This act marked a significant moment for Kumar, as it was his inaugural vote as an Indian citizen, a status he had officially received last year.
Akshay Kumar, along with other notable figures like Farhan Akhtar and his sister, Zoya Akhtar, was seen at the polling booths, encouraging the voter turnout early in the morning. The excitement and anticipation were palpable as cities like Mumbai began their polling for the crucial fifth phase of the ongoing Lok Sabha elections.
A remarkable turn of events surrounding Akshay Kumar’s citizenship unfolded last year, when he, previously a Canadian citizen amid prevalent criticisms, opted for Indian citizenship. He was granted this citizenship on the momentous occasion of Indian Independence Day 2023. The actor celebrated his new status on social media by posting a picture of the citizenship document on Instagram, captioned, “Dil aur citizenship, dono Hindustani. Happy Independence Day! Jai Hind! 🇮🇳” Reflecting on his decision to embrace Indian citizenship, Kumar expressed his deep connection and gratitude towards the country in an interview with AajTak. “India is everything to me… Whatever I have earned, whatever I have gained is from here. And I’m fortunate that I get a chance to give back. You feel bad when people say things without knowing anything…,” he shared.
After casting his vote, Akshay Kumar spoke to the media about his aspirations for the nation. “I want my India to be developed and strong. I voted keeping that in mind. India should vote for what they deem is right. I think voter turnout will be good,” stated the actor, displaying the indelible ink mark on his finger with pride. This significant act resonated with the overarching theme of civic participation and responsibility.
Joining Akshay Kumar at the polling booths, actor Farhan Akhtar and his filmmaker sister, Zoya Akhtar, arrived to cast their votes at Mount Mary Convent High School in Bandra.
. Janhvi Kapoor also made her presence felt early in the morning, contributing to the enthusiasm surrounding the election process.
The fifth phase of the Lok Sabha elections in 2024 commenced under tight security and meticulous arrangements. The Election Commission of India (ECI) has ensured a smooth polling process across 49 parliamentary constituencies spread over six states and two Union Territories (UTs). Voting began at 7 am and will continue until 6 pm, accommodating those in line by closing time to cast their votes.
Additionally, polling for 35 assembly constituencies of the Odisha legislative assembly is being conducted simultaneously. According to the ECI, the fifth phase involves over 8.95 crore voters, inclusive of 4.69 crore males, 4.26 crore females, and 5409 third-gender electors, to determine the fate of 695 candidates. Some key political figures like Rahul Gandhi, BJP leaders Rajnath Singh, Smriti Irani, Rajiv Pratap Rudy, and others are contending for electoral success in this stage.
The diverse states and UTs participating in this phase include Bihar, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal. Notably, cities like Mumbai, Thane, and Lucknow, known for their urban voter apathy in past elections, are under the spotlight. The commission has appealed to urban voters to dispel this stigma by showing up in larger numbers.
To facilitate a peaceful election experience, 2,000 flying squads, 2105 static surveillance teams, 881 video surveillance teams, and 502 video viewing teams are actively monitoring the electoral process at 94,732 polling stations. International and inter-state border check posts are vigilant to prevent the transportation of illicit goods. The ECI emphasized that polling stations are equipped with necessary amenities, including shade, drinking water, ramps, and toilets, ensuring a comfortable voting environment.
Proactive measures have also been advised to manage hot weather conditions. The ECI has urged voters to participate with responsibility and pride, further motivating them with endorsements from various prominent figures.
So far, the 2024 Lok Sabha elections have witnessed about 66.95 per cent voter turnout in the initial phases, with around 451 million individuals having already cast their votes. The remaining phases of the elections will proceed until June 1, with the vote counting scheduled for June 4.
The elections encompass 23 states (UTs) and 379 parliamentary constituencies. In the first four phases, polling was conducted smoothly, marking more than half of the general election process. The comprehensive elections for the state legislative assemblies of Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, and Andhra Pradesh, along with 28 seats of the Odisha State Assembly, have also been completed.
The final results of the seven-phase Lok Sabha elections will be declared on June 4, bringing an end to a critical period in India’s democratic process. (with inputs from ANI)
