Polling begins in 2 states: Haryana and Maharashtra

Chandigarh:Voting began peacefully at 0700 hrs on Monday at 19,578 polling stations, spread over 90 Assembly constituencies of Haryana. The fate of 1,168 candidates would be decided by over 1.83 crore voters, including 85 lakh women and 252 transgenders, who would exercise their franchise in the one of the biggest festivals of democracy. 

Tight security arrangements were made to ensure the process was peaceful and fair, with over 75,000 security personnel mobilised for the polls. In Haryana, the main contest is seen among the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, Indian National Congress and the Jannayak Janta Party (JJP). Currently, BJP has 48 MLAs in the 90-member House.

Besides, the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD), Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Swaraj India, Loktantra Suraksha Party (LSP) and Shiromani Akali Dal will also test waters in the polls.As many as 118 candidates will battle it out in Hisar district, followed by 72 in Sonipat, 71 in Bhiwani, 69 in Faridadbad, 66 in Sirsa, 63 in Jind, 59 in Karnal, 58 each in Jhajjar and Rohtak, 57 in Kaithal and 54 in Gurugram.

Besides, 50 nominees are in the fray in Fatehabad, followed by 46 in Yamunanagar, 45 in Mahendergarh, 44 in  Kurukshetra, 41 in Rewari, 40 in Panipat, 36 in Ambala, 35 each in Mewat and Palwal, 27 in Charkhi Dadri and  24 in Panchkula.

Results will be announced on October 24.

While in Maharashtra, BJP is contesting on 164 seats, while its alliance Shiv Sena has fielded candidates on 126 seats. Congress has fielded 147 candidates and the ally NCP 121.The state has a total electorate of 8.97 crore, comprising 4.68 crore men and 4.28 crore women, plus 2,634 transgender voters.

The ECI has set up 966,661 polling stations and deployed a total number 135,021 VVPAT-EVMs for voting in theResults will be announced on October 24.In 2014 elections, BJP won 122 seats, the Sena-63, the Congress-42 and the NCP-41.(UNI)