• On Saturday, October 5, all the 90 assembly seats of Haryana are set to go for polls in a single phase. The results will be declared on October 8.

• Polling will take place between 7 am and 6 pm where over two crore voters, including 8,821 centurions, are expected to exercise their franchise in Haryana. A total of 20,629 polling booths have been set up for the elections, officials said.

• All eyes are on the key constituencies including Ladwa, Garhi Sampla-Kiloi, Julana., Gurgaon, Uchana Kalan, Ellenabad, and Rewari.

A tight electoral battle is expected in Haryana between the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress. While the BJP is eying a third consecutive term, Congress is likely to bank on the anti-incumbency sentiment.

The other significant political parties in the fray include the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Jannayak Janta Party (JJP), and Indian National Lok Dal (INLD)

Visuals of mock polling being conducted are coming up at Matu Ram Community Center in Rohtak. Elections to the 90-member Haryana assembly will be held today with over 2 crore people eligible to vote.

While there are 1031 candidates in the fray, 101 of them are women. Some of the prominent among those in fray include the following:

• Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini (Ladwa)

• Congress's Vinesh Phogat (Julana)

• Leader of Opposition (Congress) Bhupinder Singh Hooda (Garhi Sampla-Kiloi)

• INLD's Abhay Singh Chautala (Ellenabad)

• JJP's Dushyant Chautala (Uchana Kalan)

• BJP's Anil Vij (Ambala Cantt)

• BJP's O P Dhankar (Badli)

• AAP's Anurag Dhanda (Kalayat)

Among the independent candidates include Savitri Jindal (Hisar), Ranjit Chautala (Rania) and Chitra Sarwara (Ambala Cantt).

In 2019 assembly polls, the BJP emerged as the single largest party by bagging 40 of the 90 seats which were six short of simple majority.

However, the BJP later managed to form the government in a post-poll alliance with the Jannayak Janta Party (JJP) and seven Independent MLAs.

JJP's post-poll tie-up with the BJP came to an end this year following the replacement of Manohar Lal Khattar with Nayab Singh Saini as chief minister in March.

Congress announced seven guarantees, including the promises of a legal guarantee for MSP, a caste survey, and Rs 2,000 per month to women, if voted to power.

On the other hand, the BJP promised a monthly assistance of Rs 2,100 for women, two lakh government jobs for the youth and guaranteed government job for 'Agniveers' hailing from the state.

Visuals of mock polling visuals from the polling booth no. 161, Sewa Samiti Girls Senior Secondary School of Ambala Cantt assembly seat. Former Haryana Minister and BJP leader Anil Vij, JJP's Avtar Singh, INLD's Onkar Singh, Congress's Parvinder Pal Pari and AAP's Raj Kaur Gill are contesting from this seat.

Former Haryna Chief Minister and current Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar was one of the early voters to cast vote at a polling station in Karnal for the Haryana Assembly Election on Saturday.

"People should cast their vote today. The administration has made all the arrangements and elections will be held peacefully. BJP is confident of winning and we will form the government in the state for the 3rd time", he told reporters after reaching the polling station.

"Wherever I have gone over the past year in Kaithal, I have received immense love and blessings from the public. I know that the people now want change. They are fed up with the last 10 years of the BJP government. We will bring this change today,” said Congress candidate from Kaithal Assembly constituency Aditya Surjewala ahead of casting his vote.

After casting his vote, Congress candidate from Panchkula assembly seat Chander Mohan said, "Certainly Congress government will come to power in Haryana. I will appeal to the voters of Haryana that it is necessary to change the government for the progress and prosperity of Haryana, when our government comes, we will fulfill all our promises."

As the single-phase assembly election is underway in Haryana, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on an X post said, "The people of the brave land of Haryana are going to vote in the state today. Your one vote will keep Haryana free from the raj of expenses, corruption and dealers. I appeal to all my sisters and brothers to vote to maintain the pace of development and to elect a government that takes the government out of one district and reaches every village of Haryana. Only a government with a track record of development and good governance, and not one making false promises, can bring welfare to Haryana. First vote, then drink."

In a message for Haryana where voting in underway across 90 assembly seats, PM Modi said, "Voting is taking place today for the Haryana Assembly elections. I appeal to all voters to be a part of this holy festival of democracy and set a new record of voting. On this occasion, my special best wishes to all the young friends of the state who are going to vote for the first time."

Former Haryana Deputy CM and JJP leader Dushyant Chautala cast his vote at a polling booth in Sirsa.

"It is the biggest festival of democracy and I request every Haryana voter that your vote is your power which will decide the future of the state for next five years. All of you should come out of your home and cast vote before 6 pm. We are confident that people of Haryana will provide strength to Jannayak Janata Party and Azad Samaj Party alliance and give more numbers than before," said Chautala.

Sachin, 23, used to wake up every day at dawn to run a circuit around a stadium in Haryana’s Rohtak to train his body for the armed forces. It was a shared dream between the father and the son that Sachin joined the Army.

A scheme launched by the central government shattered that dream. In June 2022, when the Centre announced a four-year short-term recruitment programme called the Agnipath Yojana, Sachin—the sole breadwinner after his father retired—ended his life.

Read full story here

Amid the ongoing elections in Haryana on Saturday, ex-CM and Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar said, "I think someone advised them (Congress) 6-8 months ago to keep repeating their lies so that eventually people start believing in them. But as the elections approached, their lies were exposed... They have not even announced their CM candidate so far... People had gone through so many atrocities during the Congress government. The government was so corrupt that now all those agents and middlemen have been kept out of their jobs during the BJP rule... Unemployment in Haryana is only for the corrupt agents and middlemen of the Congress government. The common man has ample employment opportunities. With the growth of industry in the state, there is ample employment for everyone, especially in NCR and districts along the GT Road..."

The saffron party is still reeling from the dismal Lok Sabha election performance in Haryana in which Congress significantly increased its vote base, mainly owing to anger against the BJP among the dominant Jat community on issues like the farmers’ agitation and the Agniveer scheme. Between the June results and the state elections, BJP did not get enough time to soothe this section and the Congress, aware of its edge, is expecting a spillover effect.

Read full story here

Ambala- 11.87%

Bhiwani- 9.72%

Charkhi Dadri- 9.08%

Faridabad- 8.82%

Fatehabad- 11.81%

Gurgaon- 6.10%

Hisar- 8.49%

Jhajjar- 8.43%

Kaithal-9.54%

Karnal-11.10%

Kurukshetra- 10.57%

Mahendragarh- 11.51%

Mewat- 10.64%

Palwal- 12.54%

Panchkula- 4.08%

Panipat- 7.49%

Rewari-9.27%

Rohtak- 10.76%

Sirsa- 9.87%

Sonipat- 7.98%

Yamunanagar- 9.27%

Former wrestler and BJP leader Babita Phogat cast her vote at a polling booth in Charkhi Dadri.

"We went amidst the people with issues of development. People should vote to make Haryana no. 1 state. We should all fulfill the duties of being a responsible citizen", Phogat said after casting her vote.

Voting for the first time, Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker said, "Today, I voted for the first time, and I want to tell everyone here that it is our duty as youth to choose our leaders. These small actions can lead to significant changes in the future. I have fulfilled my duty, so you should fulfill yours and definitely come out to vote."

Commenting on the possible outcome of the elections, former Haryana minister and BJP candidate from Ambala seat Anil Vij said, "It's a festival of democracy and we have fought this election just like we celebrate Holi and Diwali. People are very excited, and results are almost out... I am going to win with a huge margin. People of Ambala want peace, they don't want hooliganism. I have worked for the BJP day and night and never asked for the CM post. If the party gives me an opportunity (to become the CM), I will change Haryana's picture and future."

Congress MP Randeep Surjewala visited a temple in Kaithal to offer his prayers. In an attempt to highlight the need for change in Haryana, he stated, "I would like to appeal the voters to participate in this festival of democracy as much as possible and play their role in formation of next government for bringing change in Haryana."

With over 37 per cent of Haryana’s population under the age of 30, the youth vote is pivotal for parties gearing up for the upcoming state assembly elections.

The young voters of Haryana have their own concerns: unemployment, education, and their views on development could all play a decisive role in shaping the election outcomes. Furthermore, as seen in the General Elections, young voter turnout and engagement with social media are key indicators of voter sentiment.

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Ambala- 25.50%

Bhiwani- 23.45%

Charkhi Dadri- 20.10%

Faridabad- 20.39%

Fatehabad- 24.73%

Gurgaon- 17.05%

Hisar- 24.69%

Jhajjar- 23.48%

Kaithal- 22.21%

Karnal- 24.85%

Kurukshetra- 23.90%

Mahendragarh- 24.26%

Mewat- 25.65%

Palwal- 27.94%

Panchkula- 13.46%

Panipat- 22.62%

Rewari- 21.49%

Rohtak- 22.91%

Sirsa- 20.77%

Sonipat- 18.84%

Yamunanagar- 25.56%

A female reporter was struggling to make her way through an election rally crowd at Nuh’s anaj mandi (grain market). Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was to address a public meeting there in support of his party’s three candidates – Aftab Ahmad (Nuh), Mamman Khan (Firozpur Jhirka) and Chaudhary Mohammad Ilyas (Punhana). Visibly uncomfortable and angry over unsolicited comments from young boys, for whom women reporting from a political gathering might be a rare sight, two men, strangers to each other, create a space for her to walk comfortably. At the makeshift entrance of the jam-packed tin shed, a woman police officer asks the journalist remove her black scarf. After briefly trying to reason with the officer, the reporter obliges.

Read full story here

Casting her vote, former wrestler and Congress candidate from Julana Vinesh Phogat said, "It is a huge festival for Haryana and a very big day for the people of the state. I am making an appeal to the people of the state to come out and cast their votes. 10 years ago, when Bhupinder Hooda was the CM, the level of sports in the state was really good. It is not in my hands (to become a minister), it is in the hands of the high command..."

Commenting on the voting percentage so far, Haryana Election Commission Nodal Officer Manish Kumar Lohan said, "... Polling on all booths started on time. So far, 25% voter turnout has been reported, which is an encouraging number... Last time the voter turnout was more than 68% and this time we hope to cross the 75% mark... Weather plays a crucial role in taking the poll percentage up or down... There has been no untoward incident so far..."

Ambala- 39.47%

Bhiwani- 38.27%

Charkhi Dadri- 29.62%

Faridabad- 31.71%

Fatehabad- 40.00%

Gurgaon- 27.70%

Hisar- 38.34%

Jhajjar- 36.93%

Kaithal- 38.18%

Karnal- 39.74%

Kurukshetra- 41.05%

Mahendragarh- 38.20%

Mewat- 42.64%

Palwal- 41.85%

Panchkula- 25.89%

Panipat- 38.24%

Rewari- 35.10%

Rohtak- 36.19%

Sirsa- 34.78%

Sonipat- 33.64%

Yamunanagar- 42.08%

Supporters of Congress candidate Mohammad Ilyas and independent candidate Raees Khan clashed in Haryana's Nuh district during the Assembly elections. Both sides engaged in stone-pelting in Punhana constituency. Police arrived at the scene and have brought the situation under control.

After voting in the 2024 Haryana elections, wrestler and Congress leader Bajrang Punia called for a Congress-led government. "There is a lack of employment in the state," he said, urging voters to back Congress.

Punia highlighted progress during Congress rule from 2005 to 2014, but criticized the last decade, saying, "Those who raised their voices, whether sportspersons, farmers, or soldiers, were met with lathi charges." He concluded by encouraging citizens to vote for change.

Haryana is voting in the 2024 Assembly elections, with high stakes for both the ruling BJP and the opposition Congress. On X (formerly Twitter), the hashtag #ByeByeBJP trended prominently as voters expressed their frustration with the incumbent government.

The BJP is fighting for a third consecutive term after coming to power in 2014 and winning again in 2019. Meanwhile, Congress is determined to stage a comeback after a decade in the opposition.

Ambala- 49.39%

Bhiwani- 50.31%

Charkhi Dadri- 47.08%

Faridabad- 41.74%

Fatehabad- 52.46%

Gurgaon- 38.61%

Hisar- 51.25%

Jhajjar- 49.68%

Kaithal- 50.58%

Karnal- 49.17%

Kurukshetra- 52.13%

Mahendragarh- 52.67%

Mewat- 56.59%

Palwal- 56.02%

Panchkula- 42.60%

Panipat- 49.40%

Rewari- 50.22%

Rohtak- 50.62%

Sirsa- 48.78%

Sonipat- 45.86%

Yamunanagar- 56.79%

Union Minister Kiren Rijiju highlighted significant advancements in Haryana over the past decade, asserting that Congress's claims are largely ignored.

He criticized the party's history of broken promises, declaring that while they may win some elections, they won't regain power. Rijiju also condemned Rahul Gandhi's remarks, calling them objectionable and harmful to the nation.

During the Haryana assembly elections, AAP state chief Dr. Sushil Gupta expressed confidence in the party's potential to form the government, stating that AAP has established itself as a significant third option in the state.