New Delhi, April 23: The phase 3 of Lok Sabha elections 2019 recorded a voter turnout of nearly 66 per cent, down from 69.45 and 69.43 registered in the first two respective rounds of the polls. The low turnout in this phase was primarily driven by the abysmal voting recorded in Jammu & Kashmir, where only 12.96 per cent of the electorate came out to cast their mandate.

A total of 117 seats spread across 13 states and 2 union territories went to polls on Thursday. Reports of EVM snags in some states and death of a voter in TMC-Congress clash in West Bengal emerged, though the Election Commission described the polls as largely "peaceful". 'Bar Modi From Campaigning For 48-72 Hours': Congress Delegation Meets EC, Alleges MCC Violation

The 3rd phase of elections also witnessed the candidatures of BJP president Amit Shah and his Congress counterpart Rahul Gandhi. While Shah contested from Gujarat's Gandhinagar -- the seat held since 1989 by aging party patriarch LK Advani, Gandhi was in the polling fray from Kerala's Wayanad.

A major controversy erupted in Gujarat, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached the polling booth in Ahmedabad's Ranip using an open jeep. This invited poll code violation charge from the Congress, which has accused the PM of violating the Model Code of Conduct by holding a "mini-roadshow" while the polls were underway.

For the BJP, the outcome in this round of the general elections is likely to determine their bid to return to power for another term. Of the 117 seats which went to polls today, 62 are currently being represented by the BJP lawmakers.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Apr 23, 2019 08:32 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).