Rajasthan records highest-ever polling at 73%

JAIPUR: Rajasthan recorded the highest ever voting on Sunday, besting the 2003 average of 68.18%, a denouement being seen by election watchers as signifying a vote for change. The Election Commission revised the poll percentage several times as returning officers’ reports poured in from all over the state at the time of going to press, with the figure standing tantalizingly close to 73%.

"Polling was peaceful barring small disturbances in one or two places. The state achieved record voting this time," said chief electoral officer Ashok Jain at a press conference. Counting of votes for 199 of the 200 seats would take place on December 8, while the left out Churu constituency would go to polls on December 13.

Fates of CM Ashok Gehlot and former CM Vasundhara Raje, along with more than 2,000 candidates, are sealed in the EVM machines. Raje’s home Jhalawar witnessed 79.25% voting, while Gehlot’s turf Jodhpur was pegged at 70.12%. The highest polling percentage was in the four districts of Hanumangarh, Jaisalmer , Sriganganagar and Chittorgarh, each of which recorded voting above 80%. Marwar region’s Nagaur had the lowest voter turnout at 65.88%, which is close to the state’s 2008 election’s average.

Security forces fired in the air in Alwar, Bharatpur and Dausa, as supporters of some influential candidates clashed with each other. Congress leaders alleged attempts at booth capturing in eastern Rajasthan, which was marked sensitive by the Election Commission.