Haryana Assembly Elections 2024 Live Updates: ‘Congress does politics of lies,’ says CM Nayab Saini; voter turnout at 61% till 5 pm

With polling for the Haryana Assembly elections underway, the voter turnout stands at 61 per cent till 5 pm, as per the Election Commission. Mewat witnessed the highest turnout (68.28%), while Faridabad saw the lowest (51.28%). Here are the voter turnouts for all seats as of 5 pm today.

BJP MP Janardan Singh Sigriwal on Saturday said that the party will form government in the state with a "thumping majority", news agency PTI reported. "As per the trends, people are voting in favour of BJP-led NDA in large numbers. People are in support of PM Modi, and they know that 'Modi Hai Toh Mumkin Hai'," Sigriwal said.

Congress candidate from the Julana Assembly constituency, Vinesh Phogat, on Saturday said that the "atmosphere is positive (for the party)....", news agency PTI reported. Polling in Haryana is underway in a single phase today.

With polling for the Haryana Assembly elections underway, the voter turnout stands at 49.13 per cent till 3 pm, as per the Election Commission. Yamunanagar witnessed the highest turnout (56.79%), while Faridabad saw the lowest (41.74%). Here are the voter turnouts for all seats as of 3 pm today.

BJP candidate in Kalka, Shakti Rani Sharma, has lodged a complaint with the Election Commission for “slow polling” at several polling stations in the constituency.

In her complaint, she has alleged that while people are standing in queues outside several polling stations, the pace of polling continues to be extremely slow. At several places in Kalka (polling booths no. 24, 43, 54, 60, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 84, 90, 117, 131, 132, 196, 207, 210, 216, 217, 218, 221, 22, 223, 224 and 225) the polling percentage has been around 25-30 per cent till 1 pm.

"We are getting a lot of love, lotus is blooming in the entire state, lotus is blooming in Ladwa too. We have ended the Congress' politics of nepotism and discrimination. Hooda sahab used to look only at a particular class, only at a particular region. But in our government, we have worked for Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, taking everyone along... the amount of work we have done in the last 10 years, even 7 generations of Congress will not be able to do that much work," said Nayab Singh Saini after casting his vote today.

According to a PTI report, a clash broke out between the BJP and congress workers outside a polling booth in the Narnaud area of Hisar.

More details are awaited.

Here are the voting figures for the Haryana polls as of 1 pm: the overall voting percentage is 40.1%. Yamunanagar has recorded the highest turnout at 47.4%, while Faridabad has the lowest, with just 32.%.

Panchkula – 38.7%

Ambala – 42.2%

Yamunanagar – 47.4%

Kurukshetra – 43.9%

Kaithal – 44.5%

Karnal – 41.1%

Panipat – 42.4%

Sonipat – 38.6%

Jind – 43.5%

Fatehabad – 42.8%

Sirsa – 39.5%

Hisar – 41.4%

Bhiwani – 40.2%

Charkhi Dadri – 40.8%

Rohtak – 37.9%

Jhajjar – 40.3%

Mahendragarh – 38.9%

Rewari – 38.2%

Gurugram – 33.2%

Mewat – 45.1%

Palwal – 41.3%

Faridabad – 32.5%

Asian Para Games gold medallist and Paralympian Arjuna awardee Amit Saroha after casting his vote in Baiyan village in Kharkhoda. (Photo: Special arrangement)

Here are the voting figures for the Haryana polls as of noon: the overall voting percentage is 29.7%. Yamunanagar has recorded the highest turnout at 37.2%, while Faridabad has the lowest, with just 23.1%.

Panchkula - 28.7%

Ambala - 32.6%

Yamunanagar - 37.2%

Kurukshetra - 30.2%

Panchkula - 28.7 %.2 % %

Karnal - 28.8%

Karnal - 28.8 % %

Sonipat - 30.8 %

Jind - 33.6 %

Fatehabad - 30.0 %

Sirsa - 28.8 %

Hisar - 29.3 %

Bhiwani - 33.6%

Bhiwani - 33.6 % 30.4 %

Rohtak - 27.6 %

Jhajjar - 26.2 %

Mahendragarh - 25.1 %

Rewari - 25.9%

Gurugram - 26.5 %

Mewat - 33.6 %

Palwal - 29.1 %

Faridabad - 23.1 %

Wrestler Sangeeta Phogat cast her vote in Jhajjar today. She said that the people of the state are tired of the BJP and want a change.

"I am happy that I have cast my first vote for change. Everyone is tired of BJP, everyone wants that this time the government should change and are voting for the Congress government,” she said.

Wrestler and Congress leader Bajrang Punia expressed confidence that his party would get 60-70 seats in the Haryana Assembly Elections.

“There's a wave of Congress in Haryana. People have been struggling for the last 10 years. Now, they have a chance to answer back with their votes. I believe that Congress will get 60-70 seats in Haryana," he said.

Exuding confidence in his party’s victory in the Haryana elections, BJP MP Naveen Jindal made an interesting statement by arriving at the polling booth in Kurukshetra on horseback.

When asked about this unusual mode of transportation, Jindal explained, "Riding a horse for an auspicious task is considered a good omen. I am an avid horse rider, which is why I chose to ride to cast my vote."

“Ghode par baith kar jana kisi shubh kaam ke liye acha mana jata hai (Going on a horse is considered good for any auspicious work) I am a horserider and therefore I came riding a horse to cast my vote,” he said.

"There is a lot of enthusiasm among the people. We are very happy that they are casting their votes today and I am confident that the brave and aware people of Haryana will give their blessings to BJP,” he said.

“My mother Savitri Jindal, who is contesting from Hisar, wants to do a lot for Hisar. So the people of Hisar will decide whom they want as representative... Haryana will bless the BJP and Nayab Singh Saini will become CM again. He (Anil Vij) is also a very big leader of our party and time will tell who becomes (CM) but if a big leader has something in mind, he has the right to say it,” said Jindal.

Former wrestler Mahavir Phogat, the uncle of Vinesh Phogat, cast his vote in Balali today. He alleged that Deepender Hooda had introduced Vinesh to politics for his own political gain

"I voted for the one who works for the poor, farmers, labourers, traders, and to ensure peace and order in the state...Deepender Hooda has brought her (Vinesh Phogat) into politics for his own political gain," he said.

Former Haryana Chief Minister and Congress leader Bhupinder Singh Hooda expressed confidence on Saturday that his party would perform strongly in the upcoming Haryana assembly elections and form a government in the state.

"I appeal to people to come out of their houses and cast their votes peacefully. According to the reports, people are voting in good numbers. Congress is going to form its government here," he said, speaking to news agency ANI.

Hooda is contesting from Garhi-Sampla-Kiloi constituency against Manju (BJP), Praveen (AAP), Sushila Devi (JJP) and Krishan (INLD)

"Every person should have the desire to progress, and so do I. However, your personal ambition should not be greater than party discipline. Neither me, Selja Kumari nor any party leader have desires bigger than party,” he said.

Here are the voting figures for the Haryana polls as of 11am.: the overall voting percentage is 18.1%. Yamunanagar has recorded the highest turnout at 23.1%, while Faridabad has the lowest, with just 13.6%.

Panchkula - 15.9%

Ambala - 19.8%

Yamunanagar - 23.1%

Kurukshetra - 22.0%

Kaithal - 22.7%

Karnal - 15.6%

Panipat - 20.3%

Sonipat - 17.9%

Jind - 21.6%

Fatehabad - 21.7%

Sirsa - 17.5%

Hisar - 18.5%

Bhiwani - 20.9%

Charkhi Dadri - 19.6%

Rohtak - 15.2%

Jhajjar - 14.4%

Mahendragarh - 17.1%

Rewari - 14.7%

Gurugram - 16.4%

Mewat - 19.6%

Palwal - 16.2%

Faridabad - 13.6%

As Haryana heads to the polls today, the Indian Express interviewed a person from Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini's constituency of Ladwa, who criticised the Congress as a "Baap Beta" party outfit, while asserting that the BJP is a party dedicated to its workers.

"Today, we will elect a CM, not just an MLA. The jobs have been given on merit instead of favouritism during the BJP rule. BJP is a party of workers not like Congress, which is a party of Baap-Beta,” said Babu Ram Saini.

Meanwhile, in Deeg village of Ladwa constituency, Devi Dyal Bhatti belonging to the Scheduled Caste community says: "Congress candidate Mewa Singh will win from Ladwa this time too as he has a great public connect. The issues of farmers are in the centre stage of this election apart from the problem of unemployment."

Regarding her cousin sister Vinesh Phogat contesting elections for the Congress, BJP leader Babita Phogat stated that it's a personal decision for everyone to choose their political affiliation, and she respects her sister’s choice.

"For the welfare and development of the state, I would urge everyone to come out and vote in large numbers. This is your biggest responsibility as a citizen of this country... It is everyone's personal decision which party they want to be affiliated with. It's her choice and I respect her (Vinesh Phogat's) decision..." Babita said while speaking to news agency ANI.

Congress MP Kumari Selja stated that Rahul Gandhi's Bharat Jodo Yatra transformed the political landscape in the state in favour of the Congress party.

"High voting will take place and Congress will win with a big margin... Ever since Rahul Gandhi's Bharat Jodo Yatra, the atmosphere in the state has been in our favour. 10 years of misrule by BJP has got people wanting to get rid of BJP... People especially women aspire to have a female Chief Minister of Haryana... I believe in hard work and work on the ground. I am a player of the party and I am confident about my work... The final decision will be taken by the party high command," she said.

Here are the voting figures for the Haryana polls as of 10 a.m.: the overall voting percentage is 13%. Yamunanagar has recorded the highest turnout at 15.9%, while Faridabad has the lowest, with just 9.9%.

Panchkula - 12.2%

Yamunanagar - 15.9%

Kurukshetra - 13.8%

Kaithal - 14.4%

Panipat - 13.6%

Jind - 14.3%

Fatehabad - 14.4%

Hisar - 13.7%

Bhiwani - 13.7%

Charkhi Dadri - 13%

Rohtak - 11.6%

Jhajjar - 13%

Mahendragarh - 12.8%

Rewari - 13.5%

Gurugram - 10.5%

Mewat - 14.8%

Palwal - 12.8%

Hisar - 13.7%

Faridabad - 9.9%

Wrestler and BJP leader Yogeshwar Dutt cast his vote at a polling station in Sonipat on Saturday.

"I have cast my vote in my village and I request people to vote as much as possible and strengthen democracy, play your important role in forming a strong government, vote to take Haryana forward...BJP's lotus will bloom for the third time in Haryana and Nayab Singh Saini will take oath as CM for the second time,” he said, speaking to news agency ANI.

BJP candidate from Ambala Cantt Assembly seat Anil Vij today said that his party would form the next government in Haryana.

"BJP will form its govt in Haryana. CM will be decided by the party. If the party wants me, then our next meeting will be in the Chief Minister's residence. I am the senior most in the party," he said.

"The people of Ambala want to stay peacefully; they do not want hooliganism back here...Peace means the symbol of lotus...BJP will form its government in Haryana...Kumari Selja is feeling suffocated in Congress; she is not being respected in the party," he said.

Independent candidate Savitri Jindal from the Hisar constituency urged everyone to vote on Saturday.

"I have cast my vote. This is the election of the people of Hisar; everyone should vote. I will try to make Hisar beautiful and developed," she was quoted saying to news agency ANI.

Her daughter, Seema Jindal, also cast her vote at a polling booth in Hisar. While speaking to reporters, she encouraged everyone to exercise their franchise.

"Pehle matdan phir jalpan.' It is a 'yagna' for our country, city, and state. So, everyone should cast their vote," Seema said.

Savitri Jindal is the mother of BJP's Kurukshetra MP Naveen Jindal and the wife of the late industrialist OP Jindal. She is contesting the election against Haryana Minister and sitting MLA from Hisar, Kamal Gupta, after being denied a ticket by the BJP.

After casting his vote in Badoli village, BJP’s state president Mohan Lal Badoli said, “I appeal to the people of Haryana to come out of their homes and vote. The atmosphere across Haryana indicates that people are going to form a BJP government in the state. The Congress, throughout its campaign, has misled the people of Haryana. However, the people of Haryana have made up their minds to form a BJP government under the leadership of Nayab Singh Saini. We have accomplished unprecedented work for the welfare of farmers and have recruited 1.45 lakh youth based on merit, without any parchi-kharchi.”

Official voting figures released by state government (till 9 am) for Haryana Assembly polls:

Panchkula - 5.3%

Ambala - 8.7%

Yamunanagar - 10.9

Kurukshetra - 9.6

Kaithal - 10

Karnal - 6.2

Panipat - 8.5

Sonipat - 6.5

Jind - 10.2

Fatehabad - 8.9

Sirsa - 6.7

Hisar - 8.9

Bhiwani - 8.4

Charkhi Dadri - 8.8

Rohtak - 3

Jhajjar - 6

Mahendragarh - 9.3

Rewari - 5.3

Gurugram - 6.1

Mewat - 7.7

Palwal - 4

Faridabad - 4.6

Independent candidate Balraj Singh Kundu alleged that he and his PA were thrashed by the Congress candidate Balram Singh Dangi’s father Anand Singh Dangi and his 20-25 supporters outside Booth no. 134 located at Marina bus stand in the constituency.

In 2019, Kundu had defeated Anand Singh Dangi in Meham.

Kundu remained the only Independent candidate who did not join any party from 2019 till 2024 and is again contesting as an Independent this time

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Saturday urged the people of Haryana to vote in large numbers to defeat injustice and usher in a new dawn for Haryana.

In a post on X, Priyanka said, "My dear sisters and brothers of Haryana, my Ram Ram to all of you. Today is an auspicious day for voting. Farmers, employees, youth, wrestlers, mothers-sisters, traders, deprived sections - all have suffered the atrocities of 10 years of misrule. In this misrule, you have been made to cry tears of blood by snatching away your jobs, income, pension, and ration. Every single blow of the lathis on the bodies of the people of Haryana is a witness to 10 years of tyrannical rule."

"This is the time to use your democratic right to give a blow to the power of injustice and oppression. Vote in large numbers and defeat injustice and usher in a new dawn for Haryana," she added in her post.

As polling for 90 assembly constituencies in Haryana is underway, Congress MP Kumari Selja stated on Saturday that the BJP is eager to welcome her because they are already quite weak.

"Today's fight will change the fate of Haryana. Although this is a one-sided contest... BJP is ready to welcome me because they are already very weak. They will do anything to have strong leaders with them... We will win all 90 seats." When asked about the speculations of a rift within Congress in the state, she was quoted saying to news agency ANI.

"At the end of the day, our party high command makes decisions." Selja casts her vote at a polling booth in Hisar for the Haryana elections

"I request everyone to come out and vote. The opportunity to vote comes once every five years, and it is a very important thing. Vote for justice and security... We found a problem with one EVM, but it has been rectified, and a new control unit has arrived, which will be tested. No other discrepancies have occurred in the Kaithal constituency," says Congress candidate from Kaithal Assembly constituency Aditya Surjewala.