Polling is underway for 64 consituencies spread over 7 states for eighth phase of Lok Sabha elections. The constituencies going to polls are remaining 25 seats in Andhra Pradesh, 15 in Uttar Pradesh, 7 in Bihar, 6 in West Bengal, all 5 in Uttarakhand, all 4 in Himachal Pradesh and remaining 2 in Jammu and Kashmir. Voting is also taking place for 175 Assembly constituencies in Seemandhra region of Andhra Pradesh.
Prominent candidates in the fray for this penultimate phase of Parliamentary elections are Rahul Gandhi, Beni Prasad Verma, MM Pallam Raju, Mohd Kaif, Smriti Irani, Varun Gandhi, Rajiv Pratap Rudy and Anurag Thakur. Other prominent leaders whose fate will be decided today include Ram Vilas Paswan, Rabri Devi and Kumar Vishwas.

Election Commission has taken a number of steps to ensure free and fair polling during the last two phases of Lok Sabha polls. The measure include deploying poll tracking teams and activating quick response system. Presiding officers have been asked to use their powers under electoral laws to use central foces deployed in polling stations to prevent any untoward incident. Besides the sector magistrate, who is in charge of 10 polling stations, the EC has also decided to deploy static magistrates in sensitive booths polling stations to respond immediately to complaints.