61.3% Voter Turnout in Haryana Election, Down 7% from Last Time; Clashes Between BJP and Congress Workers in Several Areas

Polling ended at 6 PM across all 90 assembly seats in Haryana. According to the Election Commission, voter turnout stood at 61.32 percent. Yamunanagar registered the highest turnout at 67.93%, while Gurugram had the lowest at 49.97%. Other districts recorded turnout as follows: Ambala (62.26%), Bhiwani (63.06%), Charkhi Dadri (58.10%), Faridabad (51.28%), Fatehabad (67.05%), Hisar (64.16%), Jhajjar (60.52%), Jind (66.02%), Kaithal (62.53%), Karnal (60.42%), Kurukshetra (65.55%), Mahendragarh (65.76%), Mewat (68.28%), Palwal (67.69%), Panchkula (54.71%), Panipat (60.52%), Rewari (60.91%), Rohtak (60.56%), Sirsa (65.37%), Sonepat (56.69%), and Yamunanagar (67.93%). These figures may change by the end of the evening. The election results will be announced on October 8.

Incidents of disturbances were reported from several polling stations. In Nuh, three incidents of clashes were reported during voting, involving supporters of Congress, INLD-BSP, and independent candidates, leading to stone-pelting and two injuries. In Jind's Julana, the BJP candidate accused Congress candidate Vinesh Phogat of booth capturing, which Phogat denied, asserting that voting was conducted fairly. In Panchkula, a scuffle broke out between BJP and Congress workers. Similar disturbances were reported in Fatehabad, while in Sonepat, a dispute over changing the polling agent led to two injuries.

Olympic Shooter Manu Bhaker with family after voting

In Hisar, former Finance Minister and BJP candidate from Narnaund, Capt. Abhimanyu clashed with supporters of Congress candidate Jassi Petwad. The two sides accused each other of fake voting, leading to a physical altercation. In the village of Dhokera, Nanghal Chaudhary in Mahendragarh, a clash occurred between Congress and BJP workers. In Rohtak's Meham, Haryana Jansevak Party candidate Balraj Kundu accused the father of Congress candidate Balram Dangi of assault, resulting in his clothes being torn.

In Yamunanagar, Aam Aadmi Party workers protested over alleged fake voting, resulting in police detaining two individuals. In Panipat, a violent incident occurred during voting in Nohra village of Israna constituency, where a young man was stabbed. In Karnal's Indri, a group of 4-5 youths was attacked, with allegations that they were assaulted for not voting for Congress.

A total of 1,031 candidates are contesting in the Haryana assembly elections for 90 seats, including 101 women and 464 independents. In the 2019 assembly elections, 68.2% voter turnout was recorded, with over 70% turnout in Fatehabad, Kaithal, Jagadhri, and Hathin, while Gurugram, Badkhal, and Taigaon had the lowest turnout, just above 50%.

In this election, Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, and Deepender Hooda campaigned actively, while former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda worked on political alliances, greatly benefiting Congress. However, issues of factionalism within the party and discontent from Kumari Selja remained in discussion throughout the election. Kumari Selja's meeting with Sonia Gandhi on the last day of campaigning caused a stir. Congress tried to resolve internal issues by bringing in Ashok Tanwar.

On the other hand, the BJP's campaign focused on CM Naib Singh Saini and PM Narendra Modi's leadership. Former CM Manohar Lal Khattar, who led the Haryana government for the past nine and a half years, was absent from campaigning. PM Modi also held fewer rallies this time, with none in the last two days before polling. However, on Thursday, he took to Twitter to attack Congress.

The Haryana election also features alliances like INLD-BSP and JJP-AsPA, along with several independent candidates. INLD and JJP are trying to retain their political presence. INLD is competing on select seats in alliance with BSP, while JJP faces questions over its role during the farmers' protest while aligning with the BJP. Dushyant Chautala himself is in a tough contest in Uchana Kalan. Apart from a few seats, the main contest is seen as being between the BJP and Congress.