Haryana Assembly elections Highlights: Haryana records over 60% polling till 5 p.m.

Officials said polling, which closed at 6 p.m., went on smoothly barring a clash in Nuh between supporters of two candidates which left three persons injured.

- PTI

61% polling was recorded in the Haryana Assembly Elections on Saturday (October 5, 2024) as of 5 p.m. in which the ruling BJP is eyeing a third term and the Congress seeking a comeback after a decade.

- PTI

Various themed polling stations have been set up across Haryana. The eco-friendly polling station, model polling station and women-managed polling station are some of the initiatives to create a vibrant atmosphere while citizens cast their votes.

“I am not aware about the voter turnout here, but if it is the second highest (in the state), then the credit for this goes to those who made the voters aware about their rights,” says Kaithal SP Rajesh Kalia.

After casting his vote on Saturday (October 5, 2024), Haryana AAP chief Dr. Sushil Gupta said, “AAP has emerged as a third option in Haryana. I believe that Arvind Kejriwal will have the ‘remote control’ to form the government in the state.”

To make it easier for senior citizens and Persons with Disability (PwD)to come and vote, the Election Commission arranged a pick-and-drop facility to make it convenient for them to vote in the 2024 Haryana Assembly Elections.

Haryana records a voter turnout of 49.13% polling till 3 p.m., according to Haryana’s Chief Electoral Officer. Polling for the Assembly Elections is set to end by 6 p.m.

After casting his vote in the Haryana elections, Congress leader and wrestler Bajrang Punia said that the Congress government should come in power next in the State.

On Saturday, Bajrang Punia along with his wife, Sangeeta Phogat arrived at a polling station in Jhajjar to cast their vote for the 2024 Haryana elections.

“I appeal to the people of Haryana to vote as much as possible. Today there is a lack of employment in Haryana. The government that was in power from 2005–2014, every section of the society developed. In the last 10 years, be it sportspeople, farmers, soldiers, or whoever raised their voice, they were lathi-charged. So keeping this in mind, you should vote as much as possible. The Congress government should be brought to power in Haryana...” Mr. Bajrang Punia said.

- ANI

Former Odisha Governor Ganeshi Lal cast his vote for the Haryana Assembly Elections on Saturday. 

Mr. Ganeshi Lal said that he had voted for those who talk about ‘Vishwa-Bandhutva’, who talk about one earth, one family, and one future. 

“We have voted for those who talk about ‘Vishwa-Bandhutva’, who talk about one earth, one family, and one future,” former Odisha Governor Ganeshi Lal said.

- ANI

Congress candidate and Olympic wrestler Vinesh Phogat urged people to recognise their power and exercise their franchise on Saturday in the Haryana assembly election, saying it is the day of change.

After casting her vote at Balali in Charkhi Dadri district, Ms. Phogat said, “People of Haryana have huge expectations from the Congress. Everyone should come and cast their votes.” Replying to a query, she said unemployment, drugs and women’s safety are some of the major issues facing the State.

“We want to work in all areas in the coming five years. Today is the day of change, today is the day to awaken new hope. I appeal to the people of Haryana to come out of their homes and recognise their power,” Ms. Phogat said.

She claimed that people would be voting on the issues of unemployment, health and education, adding that everybody would play their role in Julana’s development.

- PTI

Even as Haryana went to vote, Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Saturday accused the Congress of following the policy of plundering the state by deceiving the electorate.

“Congress does the politics of ‘jhooth and loot’ and the people of Haryana have understood this. They have made up their minds to bring back the BJP in Haryana for a third time,” Mr. Saini told reporters on the day of the voting.

“Congress has been regularly insulting the Dalit community and never made any scheme for the upliftment of Dalits,” he said.

Mr. Saini, among the earlycomers, came to the booth with his wife Suman and cast his vote in his native village, Mirza, in Ambala district’s Naraingarh.

- PTI

A voter turnout of 36.69% was recorded across 90 assembly seats in Haryana till 1 PM, the Election Commission said.

Voting in Haryana started at 7 AM in the morning and will go till 6 pm. A total of 1,031 candidates are contesting in all 90 assembly constituencies, and 20,632 polling booths have been set up for voting.

As per the data shared by the ECI, Mewat recorded the highest poll percentage of 42.64%.- ANI

A groom, Sunil Kumar, from Pipli village in Kurukshetra district casts his vote ahead of getting married. “I want to tell everyone that casting your vote is the most important thing. You should never waste your vote. I’m heading for my wedding now, but first, it was essential to cast my vote, and now I’m on my way,” he said.

BJP MP from Kurukshtra, Naveen Jindal cast his vote for the Haryana Assembly elections on Saturday and expressed confidence in the party’s victory, saying that the people of the state will bless the party and the BJP will form the government in Haryana again.- ANI

“It’s not just me, but all of Haryana that is hopeful because this election is for change. I am happy that I have cast my vote for the first time, and it’s for change. This time Congress government is going to come with a clear majority,” says wrestler Sangeeta Phogat after casting her vote.

“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. I believe that Congress will get 60-70 seats in Haryana,” says wrestler and Congress leader Bajrang Punia.

“If we calculate the average so far, I believe we should aim for at least a 70-75% voter turnout, and it could even be higher. Overall, the voting process has been peaceful and conducted in a very pleasant environment. Regarding the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), since they are technical items, there can sometimes be issues with our polling parties. However, our instructions are well laid out, and our sector officers are following the Election Commission’s guidelines effectively,” nodal officer of Haryana election commission Manish Kumar lohan said.- ANI

As per the data shared by the ECI, Palwal recorded the highest poll percentage of 27.94 per cent, followed by Jind 27.20%, Mewat 25. 65%, Yamunanagar 25.56%, and Ambala 25.50%, till 9 AM.

“More than 25% voter turnout has been recorded, with some districts like Yamunanagar, Kaithal, and Bhiwani showing more than 20%. This is a very encouraging trend, and I am confident that we will achieve a good overall voter turnout. Based on past elections, I believe we will surpass our previous voting percentage. Our efforts to engage voters through various awareness programs have made a difference, especially with the inclusion of new young voters,” Nodal officer of Haryana election commission Manish Kumar lohan said.

“I voted for the one who works for the poor, farmers, labourers, traders, and to ensure peace and order in the state...Deepender Hooda has brought her (Vinesh Phogat) into politics for his own political gain,” says former wrestler and uncle of Vinesh Phogat Mahavir Phogat after casting his vote in Balali.

“Congress is making government in Harayana and BJP is going,” says Congress leader Bhupinder Hooda.

Last year, Phogat had been in the news worldwide for protesting with other wrestlers against the former president of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, alleging that he sexually abused multiple women athletes for years.

Read the full story

Vinesh Phogat and the vernacularisation of feminism in Haryana

Vinesh Phogat’s story resists the temptation to essentialise both the men and women of Haryana.

Wrestler-turned-politician and Congress candidate from Julana seat, Vinesh Phogat, said, “Vote for party that fought for women’s right.”

“Every person should have the desire to progress, so do I. However, your personal ambition should not be greater than party discipline. Neither me, Selja Kumari nor any party leader have desires bigger than party,” says Congress MP Randeep Surjewala when asked by media if he aspires to be the Chief Minister. 

As the polling for 90 assembly constituencies in Haryana is underway, BJP candidate from Ambala Cantt Assembly seat Anil Vij confidently stated that the BJP will form the government in Haryana and hinted at the possibility of becoming the Chief Minister, citing his seniority in the party.- ANI

“I have worked for the BJP day and night and never asked for the CM post. If the party gives me an opportunity (to become the CM), I will change Haryana’s picture and future,” says former Haryana minister and BJP candidate from Ambala seat Anil Vij.

Senior citizens showing ink mark fingers after casting their votes outside the polling booth Club House, Central Park during the Haryana Assembly elections Gurugram district in Haryana on Saturday (October 5, 2024)

To ensure law and order situation and peaceful voting during the elections, 225 companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) have been deployed across the State. This includes 40 companies of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), 25 Border Security Force (BSF), 45 Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), 35 Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), 45 Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) and 35 companies of Railway Protection Force (RPF).

Haryana Jan Sevak Party nominee from the Meham assembly constituency Balraj Kundu on Saturday (October 5, 2024) alleged that former Congress MLA Anand Singh Dangi assaulted him and his personal assistant at a polling booth in Rohtak district.

In a video message, Mr. Kundu said he was visiting polling booth number 134 in the constituency when it happened.

He alleged that Mr. Dangi ripped his clothes and also had him “manhandled”. “My PA was beaten up,” Mr. Kundu said.

“People have made up their mind to form Congress government this time. I would like to appeal voters to cast their votes in large numbers and exercise their right,” says Congress leader Bhupinder Hooda.

Polling for 90 Assembly seats in Haryana began Saturday (October 5, 2024) morning amid tight security, with 9.53 poll percentage being recorded in the first two hours.

The voting, which began at 7 am, will conclude at 6 pm, while the counting of votes will be taken up on October 8.

According to the Election Commission data, an overall poll percentage of 9.53% was recorded till 9 am.

In Jind, the poll percentage was recorded at 12.71%, 11.10 in Karnal, 10.76% in Rohtak, while in Gurgaon and Panchkula, it was 6.10% and 4.08%.

Congress candidate from Kaithal assembly seat, Aditya Surjewala, said that his fight is against hooliganism and hatred that has been spread in Haryana.

Aditya Surjewala said, “I have wished for prosperity for the people of Kaithal. The development work that has stopped in the assembly seat, I wish to divert it into a path of progress. So many students are moving out of Kaithal for their future, I wish to change this. Our fight is against hooliganism, hatred that has been spread here.”- ANI

“Today, I voted for the first time, and I want to tell everyone here that it is our duty as youth to choose our leaders,” says Paris Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker.

Independent candidate from the Hisar constituency, Savitri Jindal on Saturday urged everyone to vote.

“I have cast my vote. This is the election of the people of Hisar, everyone should vote. I will try to make Hisar beautiful and developed,” she said.

Savitri Jindal is the mother of BJP’s Kurukshetra MP Naveen Jindal and the wife of the late industrialist OP Jindal. She is contesting the election against Haryana Minister and sitting MLA from Hisar, Kamal Gupta. Savitri Jindal is contesting independently from Hisar constituency after being denied tickets by the BJP. - ANI

“We are confident that people of Haryana will provide strength to Jannayak Janata Party and Azad Samaj Party alliance and give more numbers than before,” says former Haryana Deputy CM and JJP leader Dushyant Chautala.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday said only a government with a track record of good governance can bring prosperity to Haryana.

The vote of people of Haryana will keep the state free from the rule of corrupt and wheeler-dealers, Shah said.

“I urge all my sisters and brothers to vote to maintain the pace of development and to elect a government that takes the government out of one district and reaches every village of Haryana,” he wrote on X in Hindi.

“Only a government with a track record of development and good governance, and not one making false promises, can bring welfare to Haryana,” he said.

-PTI

After casting her vote in the Haryana elections, Congress candidate from Julana Assembly Constituency Vinesh Phogat said today is a huge festival and it’s a very big day people of the State.

On Saturday, Ms. Phogat arrived at a polling station in Charkhi Dadri to cast her vote.

“It is a huge festival for Haryana and a very big day for the people of the state. I am making an appeal to the people of the state to come out and cast their votes. 10 years ago, when Bhupinder Hooda was the CM, the level of sports in the state was really good. It is not in my hands (to become a minister), it is in the hands of the high command...” Vinesh Phogat told ANI.

“Vote for the party that works for rights of women, you all know which party I am speaking of. Hope of victory is always there, today is the day to vote. People have not forgotten what the BJP did to the farmers and others,” she added.

-ANI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday appealed to Haryana voters to exercise their franchise and “set a new record of voting”.

In a post on X, PM Modi encouraged first-time voters to take part in the electoral process.

“Voting is taking place today 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,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote in a post on X.

-ANI

Congress leader Deepender Singh Hooda on Friday urged the Election Commission of India (ECI) to immediately transfer the Superintendent of Police (SP) of Bhiwani district, alleging a violation of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC).

Mr. Hooda accused the Bhiwani SP of bias against the Congress and of openly supporting the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate JP Dalal, thereby violating the MCC in an attempt to influence the election outcome.

“The Election Commission of India is urged to immediately transfer the Superintendent of Police, Bhiwani, out of the district for being biased against the Congress Party and openly supporting BJP candidate JP Dalal, in violation of the MCC to influence the election results,” Mr. Hooda posted on X.

-ANI

Union Minister and former Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar cast his vote at GGSSS Prem Nagar, Karnal.

“People should cast their vote today. The administration has made all the arrangements and elections will be held peacefully. BJP is confident of winning and we will form the government in the state for the 3rd time,” Mr. Khattar told reporters before casting the vote.

-ANI

Polling for all the 90 Assembly seats in Haryana began on Saturday morning amid tight security arrangements, officials said.

-PTI

Ahead of the voting for Haryana Assembly elections, the officials conducted mock polls at various polling booths across the State on Saturday.

Ramavatar Bhatotia, presiding officer Jonawas of booth number 235 of the Rewari Assembly seat, said that they have followed all the directions of the Election Commission of India.

“On the directions of the Election Commission of India, we have conducted everything. 50 votes we have put in. 4-4 votes of every candidate and 2 votes for NOTA. There are 12 candidates and 1 NOTA. The polling will begin at 7 am. People are excited and have already arrived to vote. The security is being tightened and we have set up the booth as per the directions of ECI,” he said.

-ANI

An electorate of over 2 crore will decide the fate of 1,031 candidates.

Voting will be held from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. and a total of 20,632 polling booths have been set up for the single-phase election to the 90-member State Assembly.

The Election Commission of India (ECI) said over 30,000 police personnel and 225 paramilitary companies have been deployed while 27,866 Electronic Voting Machines (ballot units) will be used in the election.

1,031 candidates in fray for Haryana Assembly polls on October 5

Over 2 crore voters to decide fate of 1,031 candidates in Haryana Assembly election, key contest between BJP and Congress.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, during a public rally, launched a scathing attack on the Congress and its alliance partners, claiming that Congress, through its policies, is “trying to divide the country”. 

Mr. Sarma was campaigning for the BJP with the Haryana elections just around the corner. He praised the people of Haryana for their contributions to the nation, especially in protecting India’s borders, and targeted Congress leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and the Gandhi family.

As the campaign for the Assembly election in Haryana reaches a crescendo, the silence and invisibility of former Chief Minister and current Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar rings loud. Mr. Khattar, the Chief Minister of Haryana for nine years, before he was replaced by incumbent Nayab Singh Saini just before the Lok Sabha election got underway earlier this year, was deeply involved in deciding tickets for party candidates before the Assembly election campaign was rolled out, but he has been largely absent since.

High-pitched electioneering drew to a close on Thursday (October 3, 2024) in Haryana, with polling slated for October 5. A narrative surrounding change appears to be brewing in the State but it could be influenced by multiple factors of electoral arithmetic, making the battle for the 90-member Assembly a close fight between the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Indian National Congress. 

The 2024 Haryana Assembly election looks set to be a direct contest between the decade-old ruling BJP regime, and its key challenger, the Congress, with the latter having an edge in perception. The BJP remains in the reckoning with new alliances. There are nearly 460 independent candidates, including rebels, in the fray. 

Jobs, Agniveers, women and farmers continue to be targets of political parties contesting for the 90-seat Haryana Assembly on October 5, evident from their poll manifestos. Incumbent Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Congress, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Jananayak Janata Party–Azad Samaj Party combine have promised a slew of freebies, schemes to woo the agrarian electorate.

Launching a scathing attack on the BJP for failing to fulfil the promises made to people, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday (October 2, 2024) alleged Prime Minister Narendra Modi is an expert in telling lies.

“It is Mahatma Gandhi and Lal Bahadur Shastri’s birth anniversaries today. Mahatma Gandhi taught us truth and non-violence. I don’t want to say this, but those in power how much truth and how much lies they speak,” said Mr. Kharge addressing a poll rally at Badhra in Charkhi Dadri.

Former Sirsa MP Ashok Tanwar, a prominent Scheduled Caste leader, on Thursday quit Bharatiya Janata Party to return to the Congress’ fold after five years, switching for the fourth time in these many years. He had left the Congress before the Assembly polls in 2019 owing to his differences with former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda.

In his first reaction, Mr. Tanwar, referring to the circumstances under which he had quit Congress, said: “Let bygones be bygones”, adding that he never felt at home being in the BJP.