The eighteenth Lok Sabha elections in India are set to conclude with voting in 57 constituencies during the seventh and final phase on Saturday. Seven states and one Union Territory are participating in this last phase, with a total of 907 candidates vying for seats.

As polling comes to an end, various media outlets will release exit polls in the evening, offering preliminary insights into who might form the next government of India. However, it is important to note that the results of exit polls are not always reliable.

In a noteworthy event, Prime Minister Narendra Modi commenced a period of meditation at Kanyakumari's 'Dhyamandapam' on Thursday at 6:45 pm. He is expected to end his meditation at 6:00 pm on Saturday. According to Indian media reports, Modi has been consuming only liquid food during this period and has maintained complete silence.

Modi's retreat to Kanyakumari echoes similar actions in previous election years. In 2019, he visited Kedarnath, and in 2014, he went to Shivaji's Pratapgarh fort in Maharashtra after campaigning.

The announcement of Modi’s meditation has sparked controversy, with the opposition alleging that the timing of the meditation violates the electoral code of conduct. They argue that the extensive media coverage Modi has received since the start of his meditation has overshadowed the final phase of the election campaign. The Election Commission (EC), however, has not found any violations, rejecting opposition demands to restrict media coverage and images of the meditating Prime Minister.

As the nation waits for the polling to conclude and exit polls to be released, the focus remains on the outcomes that will shape India's political landscape in the coming years.