At least 65 per cent voter turnout was recorded in election to 90-member Haryana Assembly on Monday amidst minor scuffles and snags in electronic voting machines (EVMs).
Haryana chief electoral officer Anurag Agarwal said that around 65 per cent voting has been recorded in the State, as per the information received till the evening and final poll figures are likely to increase.
The complaints were received at some places about the problem of operation of EVM machines which was immediately resolved, he said.
According to the Election Commission data till 9 pm, the highest turnout was recorded at Tohana Assembly constituency (80.56) followed by Dabwali assembly segment 78.20) while the lowest was recorded in Panipat city and Badshahpur, both with 45 percent.
The election process across the State was majorly peacefully except for minor incidents reported in Nuh, Rohtak and Narnual districts.
A total of 13 FIRs were registered in the state including seven in Nuh, four in Rohtak and two in Narnaul.
Tight security arrangements were in place with over 75,000 security personnel deployed for the polls, DGP Manoj Yadava said.
Over 1.83 crore voters, including 85 lakh women and 252 transgenders were eligible to vote in Haryana.
The BJP, led by Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar is aiming at retaining power in Haryana and had set a target of winning 75 seats in the 90-member State Assembly. Currently, the BJP has 48 members in the State Assembly.
While talking to the mediapersons, Manohar Lal said, “We went to the public (for votes), they accepted us and we are going to form the government again and with a good majority.”
Asked about travelling in a train, he said, “I am a commoner and have come to vote as the common man.”
Two-time former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, who cast his vote along with his wife Asha, son and former MP Deepender and daugther-in-law Sweta Mirdha, said the contest was only between the BJP and Congress and the latter would emerge victorious.
Meanwhile, Jannayak Janta Party (JJP) leader Dushyant Chautala, who is locked in a tough contest with outgoing MLA Prem Lata of the BJP in Uchana Kalan assembly constituency alleged “bogus polling” in the Dumarkha village of the constituency.
Dumarkha is the native village of Prem Lata who is wife of former Union Minister and Rajya Sabha MP Birender Singh. Her son Brijendra Singh is the MP from Hisar Lok Sabha constituency.
Following this, DC Aditya Dahiya and SP Ashwin Shenvi reached the spot and additional force was deployed in Dumarkha village.
Dahiya claimed that they had not come across any video proof or other evidence of the incident.