As voting continues for the Haryana Assembly elections, early reports show a voter turnout of 9.53% within the first two hours of polls. Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, and Olympic medalist Manu Bhaker were among the first to cast their votes. Over 2 crore eligible voters are expected to decide the fate of 1,031 candidates across 90 assembly constituencies in Haryana.
Candidates in the Spotlight
Among the prominent names in the race are Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, Congress leader Bhupinder Singh Hooda, and Vinesh Phogat, a famous wrestler and Congress candidate. Also in the fray are JJP’s Dushyant Chautala and several other key leaders.
Today’s election is crucial for Haryana’s political landscape, with the BJP aiming for a third consecutive victory and the Congress hoping to reclaim its dominance after a decade. The results, which will be declared on October 8, 2024, could reshape the political dynamics in the state.
Watch this video for a deep dive into the promises made by key parties in the Haryana elections:
Election Statistics and Key Contestants
According to Haryana’s Chief Electoral Officer Pankaj Agarwal, 2.03 crore voters—including 8,821 centenarians—are eligible to cast their votes today. The polling, which began at 7 a.m. and will continue until 6 p.m., involves a massive setup of 20,632 polling booths across the state. Notably, of the 1,031 candidates, 101 are women, while 464 are running independently.
Key contesting parties include the BJP, Congress, AAP, and alliances like INLD-BSP and JJP-Azad Samaj Party. The high-energy campaign, which came to an end on October 3, 2024, has been one of the most fiercely contested in recent times.
In the 2019 Assembly elections, the BJP secured 40 seats, while the Congress followed with 31 seats and JJP with 10 seats. The stakes are high as the BJP tries to maintain its winning streak, and the Congress attempts to regain power.
Prominent Figures Cast Their Votes
Olympic wrestler and Congress candidate Vinesh Phogat, representing the Julana constituency, urged voters to “vote for the party that fought for women’s rights” after casting her ballot.
“Vote for the party that fought for women’s rights,” she said while speaking to reporters.
In another development, a groom named Sunil Kumar from Pipli village in Kurukshetra created a buzz when he cast his vote before heading to his wedding. “Voting is the most important thing,” he stated. “I’m heading to my wedding now, but I made sure to cast my vote first.”
Check out this viral video of Kumar here:
Current Voting Trends
By 1 p.m., voter turnout across Haryana had reached 36.69%, with Mewat recording the highest turnout at 42.64%, according to data released by the Election Commission of India.
Dushyant Chautala, leader of the Jannayak Janata Party (JJP), also took to social media to encourage voters to exercise their democratic rights. He emphasized the significance of participation in shaping Haryana’s future.
Notable Moments from the Polling Booths
BJP MP Naveen Jindal made headlines when he arrived at the polling station on horseback. After casting his vote, Jindal expressed confidence in his party’s victory, saying that “the people of Haryana will bless the BJP, and we will form the government again.”
Hope for Change: Phogat and Punia’s Remarks
Several notable figures expressed their desire for political change. Wrestler Sangeeta Phogat, who voted for the first time, remarked that “this election is for change” and voiced her optimism that the Congress would secure a majority this time.
Similarly, wrestler and Congress leader Bajrang Punia emphasized the need for change, saying, “There’s a wave of Congress in Haryana. People have been struggling for the last 10 years. Now they have a chance to answer back with their votes.” Punia predicts that the Congress will win between 60-70 seats.
Peaceful Voting and High Turnout Expected
Election officials are optimistic about voter turnout. Manish Kumar Lohan, a nodal officer for the Haryana Election Commission, expressed hope for 70-75% voter turnout by the end of the day. He also confirmed that the voting process has been peaceful and that any technical issues with the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) have been efficiently handled by polling officers.
As voting continues throughout the day, all eyes are on Haryana to see how the people’s mandate will shape the state’s political future.
Stay tuned for further updates on the Haryana Assembly Elections 2024.
