KOLKATA: As the clock struck 5 PM, preliminary reports indicated a robust voter turnout of nearly 68.24 per cent in Rajasthan, with expectations of the percentage increasing further as the day concludes.
The voting process, which commenced at 7 am, concluded at 6 pm, and the final figures will be disclosed after the scrutiny of Form 17A.
Jaisalmer led the voter participation with an impressive 76.57 per cent turnout by 5 pm, closely followed by Hanumangarh and Dholpur, recording 75.75 per cent and 74.1 pe r cent, respectively. Pali registered the lowest turnout at 60.71 per cent.
In a historic move for Rajasthan, home voting facilities were provided for senior citizens aged 80 and above, as well as voters with 40 per cent benchmark disability. Over 61,000 senior citizens and PwD voters exercised their franchise from the comfort of their homes, constituting 99 per cent of those who had applied for the facility, as confirmed by the Election Commission of India (ECI).
Regarding the seizure of drugs in poll-bound states, Telangana led the tally with Rs 103 crore, closely followed by Rajasthan at Rs 91 crore.
“With the ECI’s emphasis on inducement-free elections and regular monitoring, a total of over Rs 690 crore seizures were made by different enforcement agencies, reflecting a remarkable 970 per cent increase from the previous elections in Rajasthan in 2018,” noted the ECI.
The increased seizures spanned various categories, including cash, liquor, drugs, precious metals, and freebies, among others.
Through the ‘cVigil’ app until 11 am on November 25, out of a total of 20,298 complaints received, 20,245 have been resolved, while 53 are currently under review. Among the various categories, the maximum number of complaints were related to posters or banners put up without permission.
With the conclusion of the Rajasthan Assembly polls, only Telangana is scheduled to go for Assembly elections on November 30 to elect all 119 members of the state’s Legislative Assembly.
After the declaration of results in all five states on December 3, India will gear up for the 18th General Election.