Haryana Assembly polls: Over 61% voter turnout recorded

ALL EYES ON OCTOBER 8

- SWATI MAHAJAN

The politically crucial northern state of Haryana voted on Saturday, sealing the fate of a total of 1,031 candidates in all 90 Assembly constituencies. As many as 20,632 polling booths were set up for voting.

Over 61 per cent polling was recorded in which the ruling BJP is eyeing a third term and the Congress seeking a comeback.

The results for the Haryana Assembly elections will be declared along with Jammu and Kashmir on October 8.

Key candidates include chief minister Nayab Saini, former CM Bhupinder Singh Hooda, Vinesh Phogat and JJP leader Dushyant Chautala.

Figures available at 7 pm showed the turnout was 61.50 per cent. However, it will further increase once all information comes in, said officials.

The BJP, eyeing a third consecutive term, faces a significant challenge from the Congress, which hopes to reclaim power after a decade. Even regional parties such as Dushyant Chautala's Jannayak Janta Party (JJP), which had an alliance with the BJP from 2019 until early 2024, and Arvind Kejriwal's Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), have positioned themselves to potentially play the role of kingmakers.

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

>> Key candidates include chief minister Nayab Saini, former CM Bhupinder Singh Hooda, Vinesh Phogat and JJP leader Dushyant Chautala