The voting process for the 2024 Haryana Assembly elections has concluded, with a total voter turnout of 61.19 per cent as reported by 7 PM, according to the Election Commission of India. The elections saw a fierce contest across 90 assembly constituencies, with 1,031 candidates, including 101 women, vying for seats. As voting closed, the fate of all candidates was sealed in the electronic voting machines (EVMs), with results to be declared on October 8, 2024.
Major political players and the battle for power
This election featured intense participation from major political parties, all of whom were keen to secure a decisive mandate in the state. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) fielded candidates in 89 constituencies, while the Congress also contested 89 seats. The Jannayak Janata Party (JJP), in alliance with the Azad Samaj Party (ASP), contested 78 seats—JJP contesting 66 and ASP 12. Meanwhile, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) participated in 88 constituencies, making the battle for Haryana’s political control a highly competitive one.
District-wise voting percentages
Voting percentages varied across Haryana’s districts, with some regions registering higher turnouts than others. Yamunanagar recorded the highest turnout at 67.93 per cent, while Gurugram witnessed the lowest with only 49.97 per cent of voters casting their ballots. Other districts saw the following voting percentages:
- Mewat: 68.28 per cent
- Ambala: 63.35 per cent
- Bhiwani: 63.06 per cent
- Faridabad: 51.90 per cent
- Fatehabad: 67.05 per cent
- Hisar: 64.79 per cent
- Jhajjar: 60.52 per cent
- Jind: 66.02 per cent
- Kaithal: 62.53 per cent
- Karnal: 60.42 per cent
- Kurukshetra: 65.55 per cent
- Mahendragarh: 65.76 per cent
- Palwal: 67.69 per cent
- Panchkula: 54.71 per cent
- Panipat: 60.52 per cent
- Rewari: 60.91 per cent
- Rohtak: 61.59 per cent
- Sirsa: 65.37 per cent
- Sonipat: 56.69 per cent
Interestingly, rural areas exhibited higher voter turnout compared to urban centers, a trend that could significantly impact the election results.
Election day marred by violent clashes and reports of fake voting
The election process, however, was not without disruption. Several violent incidents were reported from different parts of the state, marring an otherwise peaceful voting process.
Attack on Former MLA in Rohtak: In the Maham constituency of Rohtak, an altercation erupted between Balraj Kundu, the Haryana Janhit Congress (HJC) candidate, and Congress leader Anand Singh Dangi. Kundu alleged that Dangi and his supporters attacked him and tore his clothes. The situation escalated, forcing the police to deploy additional security personnel to restore order.
Stone Pelting in Nuh: In the Punhana constituency of Nuh, supporters of Congress candidate Mohammad Ilyas clashed with those of independent candidate Rahis Khan. A heated argument turned into a violent confrontation, involving stone pelting between the groups. The police intervened and managed to control the situation.
Clashes in Hisar: In the Narnaund constituency of Hisar, a brawl broke out between Congress and BJP supporters following a verbal altercation. The situation quickly escalated into physical violence, resulting in several injuries. Police arrived on the scene to disperse the crowd and restore order, allowing voting to resume.
Stabbing Incident in Panipat: In Nohera village of Panipat, an argument over bogus voting between Congress and BJP workers led to a stabbing. Three people were seriously injured in the altercation. Police and paramilitary forces were deployed to bring the situation under control, and the injured were rushed to the hospital.
Tension over Fake Voting in Data Village: In Data village of the Narnaund constituency, booth number 69 witnessed a clash over allegations of fake voting. Congress workers were accused of orchestrating bogus votes, which led to a tense standoff between rival groups. The situation worsened when some individuals began filming the incident, further provoking Congress supporters. Police intervened to calm the situation and provide medical assistance to those injured.
Reports of fake voting in multiple locations
Several incidents of fake voting were reported across the state. In Nohera village, Congress workers were accused of casting bogus votes. When a BJP polling agent tried to stop them, a violent confrontation ensued, resulting in a stabbing. The altercation temporarily halted the voting process. Similar allegations were made in Data village, where accusations of fake voting led to a clash, forcing the police to step in and restore calm.
2019 election results and current dynamics
In the 2019 Haryana Assembly elections, the BJP had won 40 seats with a vote share of 36.49 per cent, while Congress secured 31 seats with a 28.08 per cent vote share. The JJP won 10 seats, and independent candidates captured 7. This time around, the contest appears to be a direct face-off between the BJP and Congress, though the JJP-ASP alliance and AAP are also posing significant challenges, adding to the complexity of the political landscape.
The 2024 elections saw the participation of over 2 crore voters, including 10,775,957 men and 9,577,926 women. The state had set up 20,632 polling booths across its constituencies. Despite the Election Commission’s robust security measures, sporadic violence and clashes marred the polling process in several areas. Authorities have promised strict action against those responsible for the disruptions.
The 2024 Haryana Assembly elections witnessed both enthusiastic voter participation and unfortunate incidents of violence. The voter turnout of 61.19 per cent reflects a healthy level of engagement, though the outcome will remain uncertain until the results are announced on October 8. The election results will reveal which party has succeeded in securing the mandate of the people in this fiercely contested election.
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