Over 64% of the 2.03 crore voters in Haryana participated in the assembly elections on Saturday, casting their ballots for the 90-seat legislative assembly. Election officials reported a voter turnout of 64.1% by 6 p.m., the official end of polling, with numbers expected to rise as late voters are accounted for. The results of the election will be announced on October 8.
Comparison with Previous Elections
In comparison, Haryana recorded a voter turnout of 69% in the 2019 assembly elections and reached a historic high of 76.54% in 2014. The current turnout reflects a solid engagement from the electorate despite some minor disturbances.
Key Early Voters
Notable early voters included outgoing Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, and Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker. Opposition leaders such as Bhupinder Hooda, Kumari Selja, and Randeep Singh Surjewala also participated in the voting process.
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With a total of 1,031 candidates vying for election, the BJP-ruled state sees its electorate deciding the political future of Haryana. Initial reports indicated a voter turnout of 9.53% by 9 a.m., which surged to 50% by 3 p.m.
District-Specific Turnout
Among the various districts, Faridabad and Gurugram recorded the lowest turnout, with figures of 52.5% and 54.6%, respectively. The election featured key contenders from the ruling BJP, the Congress, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), and pre-poll alliances involving the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP).
Minor Clashes Reported
Supporters of Congress candidate Mohammad Ilyas and independent candidate Rahis Khan clashed in the Muslim-dominated Nuh district, engaging in stone-pelting and accusing each other of electoral fraud.
Personal Stories from the Polls
Sunil Kumar, a groom from Pipli village in Kurukshetra, exemplified civic duty by casting his vote before heading to his wedding. “You should never waste your vote,” he stated. In a unique gesture, BJP MP Naveen Jindal arrived at a polling station on horseback to cast his vote.
Leaders’ Confidence
Chief Minister Saini expressed optimism that the BJP would secure a third consecutive term, emphasizing that voters have rejected the “politics of lies” from the Congress. Meanwhile, Opposition leader Hooda highlighted a sense of “existing resentment” among key voter groups, including farmers, government employees, and unemployed youth, positioning them as crucial to the election outcome.
Hooda urged voters to recognize the significance of their votes, stating, “Every vote will decide the future and direction of the state.”
Call to Action
Chief Electoral Officer Pankaj Agarwal emphasized the importance of participation, encouraging voters to actively engage in this “festival of democracy.” With a total of 2.03 crore eligible voters, including 1.07 crore men, 95,77,926 women, and 467 third-gender voters, the election underscores the significance of civic engagement in shaping the future of Haryana.
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