Haryana Polls see 62% voter turnout amid violence

Chandigarh: The high-stakes Haryana Assembly elections on Saturday were marred by reports of violence, bogus voting, and allegations of booth capturing, with the state recording a voter turnout of around 62% by 7:00 PM.
The voter turnout for the 90-seat assembly was reported at 61% by 5 PM, with some districts witnessing intense polling activity despite instances of unrest.
However, the Election Commission of India officials said that the final figures will be released after compiling of the reports from all polling booths, but the latest figures by the ECI revealed that Yamunanagar recorded the highest voter turnout of 69.91%, followed by 68.28% in Mewat, 67.69% in Palwal, 67.05% in Fatehabad, 66.02% in Jind, 65.70% in Hisar, 65.37% in Sirsa, and 62.53% in Kaithal. Meanwhile, Gurugram registered the lowest voter turnout at 49.97%, and Faridabad recorded only 51.90% by the time of this report.
In contrast, several constituencies saw significantly higher voter participation, including Jagadhari (74%), Adampur (72.90%), Tohana (70%), Safidon (71%), Sadaura (70.30%), Prithla (70%), Nuh (70.50%), Nalwa (70.80%), Meham (73%), Loharu (70.20%), Ladwa (70%), and Dadwali (71%).
On the other hand, several urban constituencies such as Badkhal (42%), Karnal (46%), Gurugram (47%), Badshahpur (47.50%), Sonipat (48.70%), Tigaon (49%), Faridabad (49%), Ballabgarh (50.28%), Faridabad NIT (56.55%), Dadri (56.20%), Bhiwani (55.50%), Bahadurgarh (57%), Baroda (57.90%), Kalka (58%), Jhajjar (59.10%), Hisar (57%), Panchkula (51.90%), Ambala City (55%), Panipat City (54.60%), Pataudi (54.10%), Rohtak (50.10%), and Sohna (55%) recorded lower voter turnout compared to rural constituencies.
As the voting process unfolded at 7 AM, multiple incidents of violence and disruption were reported across the state.
In Khanda Kheri village, located in Hisar, a scuffle broke out between supporters of former finance minister and BJP candidate Captain Abhimanyu and Congress candidate Jassi Petwad. The clash escalated into physical blows, with police stepping in to control the situation. Similar disturbances were reported from several other areas, including Fatehabad, Rohtak, and Nuh, where accusations of “bogus voting” and “booth capturing” further heightened tensions.
In Rohtak, tempers flared over allegations of voters bringing mobile phones into polling stations, a violation of election norms. Congress workers protested at a booth near the District Development Building, leading to a confrontation between party members and polling officials. Meanwhile, in Meham constituency, a physical altercation occurred between members of the Haryana Jansevak Party (HJP) and Congress, with both sides accusing each other of electoral misconduct.
In Nuh’s Chandeni village, a stone-pelting incident occurred between Congress and Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) supporters, prompting a swift police intervention. Reports of bogus voting also came from Mewat, where disputes over fraudulent ballots resulted in injuries at polling stations in Khwajli Kala village.
In Narwana, allegations of booth capturing further intensified the election drama. Jind district’s Julana constituency saw a heated argument over accusations of “illegal voting”, with Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate Captain Yogesh Bairagi arriving at the scene to address the situation. Local authorities stepped in to prevent further escalation.
In addition to these violent clashes, several other major incidents were reported across the state. In Rewari, a viral video of Congress candidate Chiranjeev Rao’s father, Captain Ajay Singh Yadav, hurling abuses at an elderly man caused widespread outrage. The video, in which Yadav is seen issuing threats, has sparked political debates and raised concerns over conduct during elections.
At Datta village in Narnaund constituency, another clash erupted over allegations of fraudulent voting, with Congress workers accused of manipulating votes. The confrontation escalated into a physical brawl, leaving several individuals injured. Local police were able to bring the situation under control, providing medical assistance to the wounded.
The contest in Haryana has attracted significant attention, with the BJP and Congress as the major players. Other parties in the fray include the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), the pre-poll alliance between the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), as well as the Jannayak Janta Party (JJP) and Azad Samaj Party (ASP). Former Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar, who cast his vote early in the day in Karnal, expressed confidence in the BJP’s performance, predicting that his party would secure 50 out of the 90 seats. Olympian Manu Bhaker was also among the early voters, urging citizens to participate in the democratic process.
Earlier in the polling day, Congress leader Deepender Hooda, in a sharp critique of the BJP, referenced the party’s claims from the previous elections, when they aimed for 75 seats but secured only 40.
A total of 1,031 candidates are competing for 90 assembly seats, with over 20,000 polling booths set up across the state to accommodate the 2.03 crore registered voters. Despite the clashes, election officials expressed satisfaction with the overall conduct of the election, stating that most areas experienced peaceful voting.