As the voting process unfolds in Haryana, the state has recorded an impressive voter turnout of 49.13% within the initial six hours of polling for the assembly elections. This election is particularly significant, as it marks a pivotal moment in Haryana's political journey, with 90 legislators set to be elected amid a fierce multi-cornered contest. Among the districts, Yamunanagar has distinguished itself, achieving the highest polling percentage at 56.79%, closely trailed by Mewat at 56.59% as of 3 PM. This strong voter engagement is seen as a promising indication of public interest and participation in the democratic process.
The stakes are high in this election, as both the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the opposition Congress party vie for control of the state's political landscape. The BJP, which has been in power for the last decade, is ambitiously aiming for a third consecutive victory, while the Congress party is equally determined to reclaim power after a decade-long absence from the helm of governance. Key political figures in this election include current Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, Congress's Bhupinder Singh Hooda, wrestler-turned-politician Vinesh Phogat, and JJP leader Dushyant Chautala. With the counting of votes set for October 8, the political landscape of Haryana hangs in the balance, making this election particularly critical.
Polling commenced at 7 AM and will continue until 6 PM, with senior election officials expressing optimism about achieving a robust overall voter turnout. They noted the positive trends observed so far and indicated that, if the current pace continues, the final turnout could potentially reach between 70% to 75%, or perhaps even higher. "This is a very encouraging trend, and I am confident that we will achieve a good overall voter turnout," remarked a senior official from the election body earlier today, underscoring the importance of active participation in the electoral process.
In this election, a total of 1,031 candidates are contesting for the 90 assembly seats, which includes 101 women and 464 independent candidates. Among the notable figures contesting are Chief Minister Saini, competing from the Ladwa constituency, and the Leader of Opposition Bhupinder Singh Hooda, running from Garhi Sampla-Kiloi. Other prominent candidates include Abhay Singh Chautala of the Indian National Lok Dal, JJP leader Dushyant Chautala from Uchana Kalan, and Vinesh Phogat representing the Congress party from Julana. Additionally, the electoral landscape features former BJP MP Shruti Choudhry and her cousin Anirudh Chaudhary contesting from Tosham, along with Bhavya Bishnoi, the grandson of former Chief Minister Bhajan Lal, who will represent the BJP from the Adampur constituency. Among the independent candidates, Savitri Jindal (Hisar), Ranjit Chautala (Rania), and Chitra Sarwara (Ambala Cantt) stand out as significant figures.
As the BJP aims for a third consecutive term, it faces the significant challenge of overcoming a decade of anti-incumbency sentiment. In the 2014 assembly elections, the BJP capitalized on the "Modi wave" to secure 47 seats, forming its first-ever government in Haryana under the leadership of Manohar Lal Khattar. Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini remains optimistic about the party's achievements, emphasizing the extensive development initiatives undertaken by his government over the past decade. He asserts that Haryana has evolved into a "developed state" under the BJP's leadership, highlighting infrastructure advancements, economic growth, and social development as key indicators of success.
Conversely, the Congress party is keen on capitalizing on its strong performance in the recent Lok Sabha elections to stage a comeback. The party's manifesto is ambitious, offering seven key guarantees, which include legal assurances for minimum support prices (MSPs), a comprehensive caste survey, and a monthly financial allowance of ₹2,000 for women. Rahul Gandhi has taken the lead in the Congress campaign, engaging in critical discussions and rallies, where he has criticized the BJP on multiple fronts, addressing issues such as the controversial Agniveer scheme, the farmers' protests that captured national attention, and the ongoing wrestlers' agitation.
Voting is taking place across the 90 constituencies from 7 AM to 6 PM, involving over 2 crore voters. Among these are 8,821 centenarians, showcasing a broad spectrum of public engagement. The electoral process is occurring across 20,632 polling booths, with a voter demographic comprising approximately 1,07,75,957 men, 95,77,926 women, and 467 individuals identified as transgender.
In a bid to encourage higher participation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has reached out to the citizens of Haryana, urging them to exercise their voting rights. In a message shared via social media, he emphasized the significance of this democratic exercise, stating, "Today is voting for the Haryana Assembly elections. I appeal to all voters to be a part of this holy festival of democracy and set a new record of voting. On this occasion, my special best wishes to all the young friends of the state who are going to vote for the first time."
Reflecting on past election results, in the 2019 assembly polls, the BJP secured 40 seats, the Congress claimed 31, and the Jannayak Janta Party (JJP) garnered 10 seats, with a voter turnout of approximately 68%. The BJP formed a coalition government with the support of the JJP, alongside several independent MLAs, indicating a shifting political landscape that has evolved over the past few years. However, the alliance with the JJP dissolved earlier this year following the replacement of Manohar Lal Khattar with Nayab Singh Saini as chief minister, creating an even more dynamic electoral environment.
As the day progresses, exit poll predictions for the assembly elections in Haryana, along with those in Jammu and Kashmir—where polling concluded on October 1—are anticipated to be released once voting ends. The excitement and tension surrounding the election are palpable, with all eyes turned toward October 8, when the counting of votes will provide crucial insights into the future political landscape of Haryana. This election is not just a contest of numbers but a reflection of the people's aspirations and their voices in shaping the governance of the state for the next term.
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