Rajasthan witnessed a 24.74% voter turnout in the ongoing polls for 199 assembly constituencies, according to the Election Commission’s 11:30 am update. The voting process commenced at 7 am after extensive campaigning by major parties like the ruling Congress and BJP. However, polling in the Karanpur assembly constituency was postponed due to the demise of Congress candidate Gurmeet Singh Koonar.
Voters, queuing up since morning, are allowed to cast their votes until 6 pm. Stringent security measures, including the deployment of 1,02,290 personnel, aim to ensure peaceful and fair elections. Among the security forces are 69,114 police personnel, 32,876 Rajasthan Home Guard, Forest Guard, and RAC personnel, along with 700 companies of CAPF.
Key contenders include Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, former CM Vasundhara Raje, and former Deputy CM Sachin Pilot. Despite efforts to persuade rebel candidates to withdraw, about 45 from both BJP and Congress remain in the fray. The vote count is scheduled for December 3.
The 2018 elections saw the Congress winning 99 seats, closely followed by the BJP with 73. Gehlot assumed the CM position with the support of BSP MLAs and Independents. A scuffle at a polling booth in Churu led to police intervention, highlighting the tension in the election atmosphere.
