The state of Rajasthan witnessed a voter turnout of more than 73 percent in the high-stakes battle between the Congress and the BJP to elect a new government. The polling process went smoothly, with only a few incidents of violence reported.
According to an election commission official, the tentative voter turnout was 73.92 percent. The final voting figures will be released once the data is compiled, said Chief Electoral Officer Praveen Gupta. Jaisalmer district had the highest turnout, followed by Hanumangarh and Dholpur districts.
Polling took place at over 51,000 polling booths in 199 assembly constituencies from 7 am to 6 pm. However, voters who were already in queue at the polling booths were allowed to cast their votes. The votes will be counted on December 3.
Regarding the incidents of clashes reported at some booths, a decision on repolling will be made after the report of the observers, said Mr. Gupta. He also stated that there were no reports of the voting process being halted at any place.
The malfunction of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) was reported at a few booths, but the number was lower than the national average, according to Mr. Gupta.
Due to the death of the Congress candidate, polling in the Karanpur Assembly constituency in Sriganganagar was postponed. Additionally, two individuals – a polling agent and a voter – died of suspected cardiac arrest at polling booths in Pali and Udaipur districts.
With more than 5.25 crore registered voters and 1,862 candidates in the fray, the Election Commission had taken extensive measures to ensure smooth polling, deploying over 1.70 lakh security personnel across the state.
Some incidents of violence were reported during the polling. In Sanwler village of Kaman in Deeg district, two people, including a policeman, were injured in a stone-pelting incident. Police fired in the air to disperse the crowd, and voting was disrupted for a short period. In Sikar’s Fatehpur, two groups clashed, resulting in a jawan getting injured. Stone pelting occurred outside a polling booth, and around five to seven people were detained. An altercation between a polling agent and a person outside a polling booth in Dholpur’s Bari seat also led to violence and temporary disruption of polling. In Uniara of Tonk district, a group of people attempted to enter a polling booth, but the situation was quickly brought under control.
The Congress is hoping to break the trend of the ruling party being voted out every five years, while the BJP aims to make a comeback in the state ahead of next year’s Lok Sabha polls.
Many voters, including young and elderly citizens, queued up at polling centers well before 7 am. People expressed their enthusiasm for participating in the festival of democracy.
Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, Union ministers Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and Kailash Chaudhary, former chief minister Vasundhara Raje, and former deputy chief minister Sachin Pilot were among the first ones to cast their votes.
The leaders expressed confidence in their respective parties’ chances of winning the mandate of the people. Ashok Gehlot stated that there is no anti-incumbency against the Congress, and the party will form the government once again. Raje, on the other hand, agreed that there is an undercurrent but in favor of the BJP. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla highlighted the constant rise in the voting percentage since 1952, emphasizing the strength of Indian democracy.
Gajendra Shekhawat stated that the BJP will come to power with a significant majority, mentioning crimes against women, paper leak incidents, and corruption during the Congress’ five-year rule. Shanti Dhariwal, the urban development and housing minister, expressed confidence in the Congress retaining power in the state.
The results of the election will be eagerly awaited, as they will have a significant impact on the political landscape of Rajasthan.
