October 5th 2024.
Chandigarh: The Haryana Assembly elections on Saturday saw an impressive turnout of over 60 per cent, as the ruling BJP aims for a third term and the Congress seeks to make a comeback after a decade.
According to officials, the polling, which ended at 6pm, went smoothly except for a minor clash in Nuh between supporters of two candidates that resulted in three people sustaining injuries. However, overall, the voting process was successful and peaceful.
As per the latest data available at 5pm, the voter turnout was recorded at 61 per cent and is expected to increase once all the information is gathered. The key parties contesting the polls include the BJP, Congress, INLD-BSP, JJP-Azad Samaj Party alliances, and the Aam Aadmi Party. A total of 1,031 candidates are in the fray, including 101 women and 464 Independent nominees. The results will be announced on October 8.
The top contenders in the polls include Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, BJP's Anil Vij and O P Dhankar, Congress' Bhupinder Singh Hooda and Vinesh Phogat, INLD's Abhay Singh Chautala, and JJP's Dushyant Chautala. The Election Commission data showed that by 5pm, districts like Yamunanagar, Sirsa, Rohtak, Nuh, Palwal, Mahendragarh, Kurukshetra, and Jind had recorded a voter turnout of over 60 per cent.
However, some districts like Gurgaon, Faridabad, and Panchkula recorded lower percentages of 49.92, 51.28, and 54.71 percent respectively. There were also reports of minor scuffles between supporters of rival candidates in some districts.
Chief Minister Saini, who is contesting from Ladwa in Kurukshetra, cast his vote in his native village Mirza in Ambala district's Naraingarh. He took the opportunity to attack the Congress, accusing them of regularly insulting the Dalit community and not implementing any schemes for their upliftment. He also alleged that the Congress has a dual face and indulges in corruption.
Saini confidently stated that the people of Haryana have made their decision clear, and the BJP will form the government for the third time with a significant mandate. Union Minister and former Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar, who cast his vote in Karnal, was among the first voters to exercise his franchise. Double Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker also voted for the first time and urged the younger generation to come out and vote.
Congress leaders Hooda, Selja, and Surjewala also cast their votes and expressed confidence in their party's victory. They stated that the Congress high command would decide on the next chief minister after the polls. Hooda, who is seeking re-election, said that the BJP will lose and Congress will win.
In a unique gesture, BJP Kurukshetra MP Naveen Jindal arrived at the polling booth on horseback, stating that it is considered auspicious and symbolizes good fortune. A software engineer who returned home from the US to vote, Rashika Gupta, said she came to vote for the development of Kaithal. Even a groom from Kurukshetra district, Sunil Kumar, cast his vote before his wedding and urged people not to waste their votes.
Congress candidate and Olympic wrestler Vinesh Phogat also voted and urged people to recognize their power and bring about change. She is contesting from the Julana assembly constituency in Jind district. Another wrestler and Congress leader Bajrang Punia claimed that the Congress wave in Haryana will result in the party winning between 60 to 70 seats.
Other early voters included Saini, Khattar, BJP's Kuldeep Bishnoi and his family, and JJP's Dushyant Chautala and his family. AAP's Haryana unit senior vice-president Anurag Dhanda also cast his vote in Kalayat, the constituency he is contesting from. In Hisar, senior Congress leader Selja said that the people of Haryana have been waiting for the election to bring about a change in the current government and bring Congress to power.
INLD leader Abhay Chautala, who voted in Sirsa district, claimed that his party's alliance will form the government. JJP leader Dushyant Chautala also urged the people of Haryana to exercise their right to vote and decide the future of the state.
With over 2.03 crore eligible voters and 20,632 polling booths set up, the Election Commission has designated 144 polling stations as model ones. Additionally, 115 polling stations will be entirely managed by women staff, 114 by young government employees, and 87 by differently-abled employees. The voter turnout in the 2019 Assembly polls was recorded at around 68 per cent.
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