The largest festival of democracy concluded on Saturday that began on April 19, with 60 per cent voters turnout after the seventh round of polls on 57 seats, including Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh from where Prime Minister Narendra Modi is seeking a third consecutive term in the Lok Sabha. The voter turnout percentage is likely to be upgraded by the Election Commission.

As per the Election Commission's voter turnout app till 7 pm, West Bengal took back the lead with almost 70 per cent voter turnout, while Bihar continues to be at the lowest with 49.12 per cent voting turnout. Modi's constituency Varanasi recorded 54.83 per cent voting. Jharkhand recorded  68.16 per cent voting, Himachal Pradesh 66.91 per cent, Odisha 62.55 per cent, Punjab 55.58 per cent, Uttar Pradesh 55.53 per cent and Chandigarh 62.80 per cent .

Violence broke out between TMC and BJP supporters in Sandeshkhali in West Bengal, and complaints of EVM glitches and rigging at some booths were lodged. Barring incidents of clashes in Odisha, voting was almost peaceful.

The counting of votes will be taken up on June 4. In Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim, the counting for the Assembly polls will be held on June 2.

Modi also appealed to people to exercise their franchise."Together, let's make our democracy more vibrant and participative," the Prime Minister wrote on X. "Today is the final phase of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. As 57 seats across 8 States and UTs go to the polls, calling upon the voters to turnout in large numbers and vote. I hope young and women voters exercise their franchise in record numbers," he said.

The counting of votes on June 4 will decide how close the BJP or NDA finishes its target of "Ab ki baar 400 paar". As the exit polls numbers trickle in, multiple pollsters are predicting a return of the Narendra Modi-led NDA Government, winning over 350 seats, with the Opposition's INDIA Bloc managing somewhere between 125 and 150. After the exit polls result, BJP chief JP Nadda exuded confidence that his party will win more than 370 Lok Sabha seats and the NDA more than 400. After the meeting with its alliance parties, Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge claimed INDIA Bloc parties will get more than 295 seats.

The BJP is hoping for a historic third term for Modi. The 2024 Lok Sabha elections witnessed how Modi himself used 'Brand Modi', during the campaign while the Opposition also chanted 'Brand Modi' to corner him. The BJP carried out a sustained campaign in southern States besides its traditional stronghold in the Hindi heartland. The INDIA Bloc also made a determined effort to garner votes to make a dent in BJP's backyard and prevent the saffron party from gaining seats in its citadel.

Data showed highest polling of 76.56 per cent was registered in West Bengal's Basirhat, followed by Mathurapur (74.13), Jaynagar (73.44), Diamond Harbour (72.87), Barasat (71.80), Jadavpur (70.41), Dum Dum (67.60), Kolkata Dakshin (60.88) and Kolkata Uttar (59.23),. Voter turnout in Baranagar bypoll till 5 pm was 66.70 per cent.

The polling percentage in UP  till 7 pm recorded at Ballia 50.56, Bansgaon 50.06, Chandauli 58.19, Deoria 54.13, Ghazipur 53.53, Ghosi 53.19, Gorakhpur 52.53, Kushinagar 56.04, Maharajganj 58.66, Mirzapur 55.83, Robertsganj 54.25, Salempur 50.21 and Varanasi 54.83.

In Odisha, the Jagatsinghpur Lok Sabha seat recorded the highest voter turnout of 65.93 per cent, followed by Mayurbhanj (64.17), Jajpur (62.92), Kendrapara (62.02), Balasore (61.91) and Bhadrak (58.21)

In Himachal Pradesh, highest polling of 69.47 per cent was registered in Mandi, followed by Shimla 67.61 per cent, while Kangra recorded lowest at 64.92 per cent  In Punjab, highest polling of 60.84 per cent was registered in Bathinda, followed by Gurdaspur 58.56 per cent and lowest 50.33 per cent in Amritsar.

The poll body said Jammu and Kashmir shone bright with a voter turnout of 58.58 per cent which is highest in the last 35 years. 102 villages in LWE affected Bastar also had polling stations in their villages and saw unprecedented voting. The EC on Saturday said it was "deeply humbled" by the voters who made it to polling stations overcoming many challenges and dilemmas they might have. The commission's remarks came after the votes were cast for the seventh and final phase of the Lok Sabha elections which were announced on March 16. The first phase was held on April 19.

"Indian voters have given their most cherished right to vote for the Constitution of the 18th Lok Sabha. Indian democracy and Indian elections have again done the magic. The great Indian voters, irrespective of their caste, creed, religion, socio-economic and educational background have done it once again," the poll watchdog said in a statement. The real winner, EC said, is the Indian voter.

According to the EC, the voter turnout in the sixth phase of polling held on May 25 was 63.37 per cent, which is a slight dip from the 2019 turnout of 64.4 per cent. The fifth phase held on May 20 witnessed 62.15 per cent, which is higher than the polling in the same seats in 2019 when it was 61.82 per cent.  The fourth phase of polling held on May 13 recorded a turnout of 69.16 per cent while the third phase held on 7 recorded 65.68 per cent voter turnout. The second phase held on April 26 saw 66.71 per cent turnout and the first phase of polling held on April 19 saw 66.1 turnout.