Rajasthan Sees 70% Voter Turnout Amid Stray Violence. Congress, BJP Exude Confidence Of Victory

Over 68% of voters in Rajasthan participated in the bipartisan election involving the Congress and the BJP by 5 pm. The voting process stayed peaceful, with only isolated incidents of violence.

The Rajasthan state elections witnessed a commendable 70.00% voter turnout until 9 pm, as reported by the Election Commission of India. A significant proportion of eligible voters actively participated in the democratic process on Saturday (November 25), amid reports of isolated incidents of violence.

Neel Kamal Saxena, the Sector Magistrate of the Hindoli constituency in Bundi told the news agency PTI that polling is was underway at 4-5 booths where he had to extend the voting time after 6 pm. "Voting at all the booths has been conducted peacefully. Polling is still underway at 4-5 booths where I had to extend the voting time after 6 pm," Saxena said. 

After the polls closed, former Rajasthan chief minister and senior BJP leader Vasundhara Raje expressed confidence in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision and development, saying the state's people have endorsed it. Raje reiterated her belief that the people of the desert state have embraced the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and rejected the Congress's false promises.

The BJP's national vice-president said in a statement that the poll results "will stun the Congress," and thanked saffron party workers and voters, particularly new voters, for their participation. "The lotus will bloom," she said confidently, PTI reported.

Congress leader Sachin Pilot expressed confidence in the electoral process, stating that the people have made their decision, securing the future of the state in the ballot boxes. Pilot also thanked the opposition for presenting their views and affirmed that the elections concluded smoothly. 

"People have taken the decision and sealed the future of Rajasthan in the boxes (EVMs). I am hopeful that Congress will get a majority on December 3, when the counting will be done. I even want to thank our opposition for putting forward their views. The elections have concluded very well. Everyone will wait for December 3 now and I hope Congress will form its government in Rajasthan...If we cross the majority mark, Congress MLAs and the high command will decide on what role will be given to whom," Pilot was quoted as saying by ANI. 

Polling began at 7 am and ended at 6 pm in over 51,000 booths across 199 assembly constituencies. Voters who were already in line at polling places when the polls closed were allowed to vote.

In the previous assembly elections in 2018, the state had a voter turnout of 74.06 per cent, and the Election Commission (EC) aimed for a minimum of 75 per cent turnout in each constituency this time.

The voting percentage steadily increased throughout the day, reaching 68.24 per cent by 5 pm. The Election Commission has postponed polling in the Karanpur assembly constituency in Sriganganagar due to the death of the Congress candidate. The votes will be counted on December 3.

As per PTI reports, two individuals, a polling agent of a BJP candidate and an elderly voter, succumbed to cardiac arrest at polling booths in Pali and Udaipur districts, respectively. 

Despite elaborate arrangements by the Election Commission to ensure smooth polling, isolated incidents of violence were reported. In Sanwler village of Kaman in Deeg district, two individuals, including a policeman, sustained injuries in stone-pelting. The situation was brought under control after police fired 12 rounds in the air, the report said. 

In Sikar's Fatehpur, violence erupted as two groups clashed outside a polling booth, resulting in a soldier's injury. In Dholpur's Bari seat, an altercation between a polling agent and a person led to violence, causing damage to two vehicles, temporary disruption of polling, and subsequent resumption. 

In Uniara of Tonk district, an attempt by 40-50 people to enter a polling booth was swiftly contained by the authorities. The EC deployed more than 1.70 lakh security personnel across the state to maintain order, it added. 

The election in Rajasthan is a direct contest between the incumbent Congress and the opposition BJP. The Congress aims to break the trend of the ruling party being voted out every five years, while the BJP seeks a return to power ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. The closely watched election witnessed Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, Union ministers, and other prominent leaders casting their votes and expressing confidence in their respective parties' victory. The final results will be revealed after the counting of votes on December 3.