Haryana Elections 2024: 22.70% Voter Turnout Recorded by 11 AM, Key Candidates in Focus

As the 2024 Haryana Assembly elections progress, a significant voter turnout of 22.70% has been recorded by 11 AM, across the state’s 90 constituencies. The elections began early in the morning at 7 AM and will continue until 6 PM, offering voters ample time to cast their ballots. With Jind leading the turnout chart at 12.71% by 9 AM, it is closely followed by Palwal at 12.45% and Ambala with a turnout of 11.87%. Other constituencies like Faridabad have seen slightly lower participation rates, ranging from 6.10% to 8.82% during the same time.

These elections hold significant importance, with a total of 1,031 candidates in the fray, including a diverse pool of over 1.07 million male voters, nearly 960,000 female voters, and 467 third-gender voters. The extensive deployment of law enforcement officers, including 29,462 police personnel, 21,196 home guards, and 10,403 Special Police Officers, underscores the effort to ensure a peaceful and secure voting environment across the state.

In the 2019 elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) formed a coalition government with the Jannayak Janta Party (JJP), securing 40 seats, while JJP won 10 seats. However, since then, JJP has left the coalition, adding an extra layer of unpredictability to the current elections.

Several key candidates are fighting hard to secure their positions in this year's elections. From the BJP, Bhavya Bishnoi, the grandson of former chief minister Bhajan Lal, is competing from Adampur, while Arti Rao, daughter of Union Minister Rao Inderjit Singh, is running from Ateli in Mahendragarh. The Congress has fielded influential leaders like BS Hooda from Garhi Sampla-Kilo and Anirudh Chaudhary from Tosham, both aiming to make a mark in their respective constituencies.

In a notable move, Congress has left the Bhiwani seat for its INDIA bloc partner, CPI(M), and BJP has given way in Sirsa to Gopal Kanda, the chief of the Haryana Lokhit Party, who is contesting the election once again.

The Uchana Kalan constituency is seeing a fierce battle between two well-known figures, with JJP leader Dushyant Chautala, who is the great-grandson of former deputy prime minister Devi Lal, competing against Brijendra Singh of Congress, son of former Union minister Birender Singh. Other notable candidates include Shruti Choudhry of the BJP, who is facing her cousin Anirudh Chaudhary in Tosham, and Digvijay Singh Chautala of JJP, who is taking on INLD's Aditya Devi Lal in Dabwali.

The state’s political landscape has always been dynamic, and the presence of independent candidates alongside party stalwarts adds to the complexity of this electoral battle. Devi Lal's legacy continues to influence elections in the region, as his grandsons face off in several key constituencies.

While many constituencies are witnessing relatively peaceful polling, a few areas have reported some political tensions. The state authorities, however, are closely monitoring these zones to prevent any major disruptions. The elections, which are being held alongside those in Jammu and Kashmir, are expected to play a crucial role in determining the political future of Haryana.

The results of these elections will also reveal whether the BJP can retain its hold on the state, particularly after the departure of JJP from its coalition. The Congress, on the other hand, is looking to reclaim lost ground with strategic alliances and strong candidate lineups.

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As the day progresses, voter turnout is expected to rise, especially in constituencies that have seen lower participation earlier in the day. The election results will be a clear reflection of the state's current political sentiments, and the winning party will have a significant mandate for the coming years.