❖ The Election Commission (EC) released the absolute number of votes cast in each constituency in the first five phases of the general election.

❖ This is the first time that the EC has shared the total number of votes cast in this Lok Sabha election.

❖ Earlier, the Supreme Court refused to direct the poll body to disclose details of Form 17 C, which contains voter turnout data at the booth level.

❖ The highest number of votes were cast in Dhubri constituency in Assam (24.5 lakh).

❖ The least votes were polled in Lakshadweep (48,630)

❖ Voter turnout:

o The first phase polled 11,00,52,103 votes (of a total 16,63,86,344 registered voters),

o The second phase 10,58,30,572 votes (out of 15,86,45,484),

o The third 11,32,34,676 (out of 17,24,04,907),

o Fourth 12,24,69,319 (out of 17,70,75,629), and

o Fifth phase recorded 5,57,10,618 votes (out of 8,95,67,973).