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Rajasthan Assembly elections 2023 live: Polling ends, 74.13% voter turnout recorded, as per ECI

The polling began at 7 am and voters can cast their ballots until 6 pm.
Women waiting in queue at a polling station to cast their votes. (PTI)
Women waiting in queue at a polling station to cast their votes. (PTI)

CHENNAI: After days of hectic campaigning by major political parties, including the ruling Congress and BJP, voting began in 199 out of 200 assembly seats in Rajasthan on Saturday.

The polling began at 7 am and voters can cast their ballots until 6 pm.

Adequate security arrangements have been made to ensure peaceful and fair elections.

Prominent candidates in the fray include Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, former CM Vasundhara Raje, former Deputy CM Sachin Pilot, Congress national spokesperson Gourav Vallabh, Union Minister Rajyavardhan Rathore, Vishwaraj Singh Mewar, Rajasthan Assembly Speaker CP Joshi, and Rajasthan LoP Rajendra Rathore.

The smaller parties include the Rashtriya Loktantrik Party, Bharatiya Adivasi Party, CPI-M, Jannayak Janata Party, and Azad Samaj Party. Violence against women, paper leak scams, and farmers' suicides are some of the key issues that were highlighted by the Opposition BJP to strike against the ruling Congress.

The counting of votes will be taken up on December 3.

Polling begins in Rajasthan.

Voters queue up at a polling station in Jaipur.

PM Modi asks first-time voters to create a record of voting by exercising their franchise in maximum numbers.

Voters queue up at a polling station in Kota South Assembly constituency.

People queue up outside a polling station in Kisamidesar of Bikaner East assembly constituency.

"I am confident that Congress will get another chance in the State. We will get the number required to form the government. People here want to vote for those who deliver and stay committed," Congress leader Sachin Pilot on Rajasthan polls.

Read: Rajasthan Assembly Elections: Key constituencies and contestants to watch out

Ahead of casting his vote in Kisamidesar of Bikaner East assembly constituency, Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal says, "I have appealed to all the voters to cast their votes...BJP is going to form the government in Rajasthan."

Union Minister Kailash Choudhary casts his vote at a polling booth in Baytu, Barmer.

Rajasthan Minister Mahendrajeet Singh Malviya, contesting from Bagidora assembly constituency, casts his vote in Bhawanpura.

"This is a festival of democracy. We all have cast votes for BJP for freedom from corruption, increasing crime, increasing incidents of rape and appeasement in Rajasthan. Congress government will never come to power in the State in the future because the people of the State have suffered a lot in the last five years. BJP will definitely get more than 150 seats," Union Minister Kailash Choudhary after casting his vote at a polling booth in Baytu, Barmer.

BJP MP Rajyavardhan Rathore urges all voters to exercise their right to vote.

"It is a one-sided election in Bagidora. I am contesting for the fourth time, I am sure I will hit a 4 this time," says Rajasthan Minister & Congress leader Mahendrajeet Singh Malviya casting his vote in Bhawanpura.

Congress leader Sachin Pilot offers prayer at Balaji temple before casting his vote.

Union Minister & BJP leader Gajendra Singh Shekhawat arrives at a polling centre in Jodhpur.

BJP MP PP Chaudhary casts his vote in Bhavi village of Jodhpur district.

BJP MP and candidate from Jhotwara Assembly constituency, Rajyavardhan Rathore casts his vote at a polling booth in Jaipur.

Union Minister & BJP leader Arjun Ram Meghwal casts his vote in Bikaner East Assembly constituency of Rajasthan.

Congress leader Sachin Pilot, contesting from the Tonk assembly constituency, casts his vote at a polling booth in the Civil Lines area of Jaipur.

Former CM and BJP leader Vasundhara Raje cast her vote at a polling booth in Jhalawar.


"Rajasthan showed the worst example of politics of hatred in last 5 years. Due to their selfishness, they pushed both their party and the state into a pit. This is what has happened in Congress rule. Nobody has any expectations from the Congress party, they neither have a vision nor a resolution. We care for the people of Rajasthan. Congress will get to know on 3rd December and maybe a few of them will be shocked. But the wave is in favour of BJP," says Rajyavardhan Rathore after casting his vote at a polling booth in Jaipur.

"I hope people will use their right to vote today. I hope the public will make the right decision by looking at our vision for the State for the next 5 years. I think Congress will form the government again with a comfortable majority. People want to change the tradition (to change government alternatively). Public's sentiment is with the Congress," says Sachin Pilot after casting his vote in Jaipur.

BJP MP and candidate from Vidhyadhar Nagar, Diya Kumari cast her vote at a polling station in Jaipur.

Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat casts his vote along with family in Jodhpur.

No anti-incumbency, Congress will form govt in Rajasthan again: CM Ashok Gehlot

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Saturday said there is no anti-incumbency against the Congress and the party will form the government in the State again.

Baba Balak Nath, BJP candidate from Tijara casts his vote in Alwar.

"The public will vote to change the government and create new history in Rajasthan," says Union Minister & BJP leader Gajendra Singh Shekhawat after casting his vote in Jodhpur.

"It feels great. There is great enthusiasm among people. Citizens of India are 'Bharat Bhagyavidhata'. People of Rajasthan will vote for the BJP which is dedicated to the development, good governance, and law & order of the State. People were waiting for the day when they could oust these liars and bring a BJP government back to power in the State," says Baba Balak Nath after casting his vote at a polling booth in Alwar.

State BJP chief and MP CP Joshi arrives at a polling booth in Chittorgarh to cast his vote.

9.77% voter turnout recorded in Rajasthan till 9 am: Election Commission of India

Former CM & BJP leader Vasundhara Raje Scindia after casting her vote requests everyone, especially the first-time voters, to cast their vote.

BJP MP Subhash Chandra Baheria and his wife Ranjana Baheria arrived at a polling booth in Bhilwara on a two-wheeler to cast their votes.

Congress leader Gourav Vallabh casts his vote in Udaipur.

Assam Governor Gulab Chand Kataria who cast his vote in Udaipur today says, "It is our duty to vote, not just our right."

Rajasthan's Chief Electoral Officer Praveen Gupt appeals to people to vote in large numbers.

"There is great enthusiasm in polling parties. Around 3 lakh people have been deployed as part of polling parties. Voters are showing zeal. I appeal to people to vote in large numbers and participate in this process. Don't consider this a holiday, he says.

Rajasthan Minister and Congress leader Pratap Singh Khachariyawas appeals to people to cast their vote.

Vishvaraj Singh Mewar, BJP candidate from Nathdwara constituency, casts his vote. 

"There is great enthusiasm among people for voting. People are voting happily in this biggest festival of democracy. There is one thing though, voting is slow. Several places do not have proper electricity arrangements. So, I have requested the District Election Officer to make proper arrangements for electricity and increase the pace of voting," says BJP MP and candidate from Sawai Madhopur, Kirodi Lal Meena.

Rajasthan Minister and Congress leader Pratap Singh Khachariyawas casts his vote in Jaipur.

"Congress won in Rajasthan in 1980 assembly elections, then in 1985 also the party won in the State. Like 1985, Congress will again win and repeat government in Rajasthan," says State Minister Dr Bulaki Das Kalla in Bikaner.

Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot meets his supporters on his way to the polling station in Sardarpura.

Congress leader and Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot's son Vaibhav Gehlot in Sardarpura.

"I believe Congress will get a majority in the state. BJP is nervous as they know that they will lose in the State," he says.

 "People are very excited here. They are very smart, and they know whom they should vote for," says RLP leader Hanuman Beniwal.

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Scuffle breaks out at Sardarshahar assembly constituency

A scuffle broke out at a polling booth in Sardarshahar assembly constituency in Rajasthan while voting for assembly elections was underway on Saturday.

Former Congress MP and party's candidate from Siwana, Manvendra Singh, and his wife Chitra Singh cast their votes at a polling booth in Mewa Nagar, Barmer.

Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot casts his vote in the Sardarpura assembly constituency.

Polling agent dies of suspected cardiac arrest.

A polling agent of a candidate died due to suspected cardiac arrest in Pali district of Rajasthan on Saturday.

An official said Shanti Lal, a polling agent at booth number 47 in the Sumerpur assembly constituency, collapsed at the centre. He was rushed to a nearby hospital and then to the district hospital, where doctors declared him dead on arrival.

''Suspected cause is heart attack,'' the official said.

The party affiliation of the polling agent was not immediately known.

"It is democracy's biggest festival today. I appeal to everyone to cast their vote. It is your responsibility and right as well," says Priyanka Chaudhary, an independent candidate from Barmer. 

"I had an opportunity to visit several districts and I can say that there is a one-sided wave in the favour of Congress due to the work we have done in the last five years," says Congress leader Jitendra Singh Alwar after casting his vote in Alwar.

"People are enthusiastic. There is an undercurrent. People will vote on our governance, our schemes, and guarantees. We will form government again," says Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot after casting his vote in Jodhpur.

BJP candidate Mahant Balaknath inspects a polling booth in Alwar district.

Congress govt failed to deliver on promises, will get befitting reply from people: Rajasthan BJP chief CP Joshi

Rajasthan BJP president C P Joshi on Saturday accused the Congress government of failing to deliver on its promises and indulging in corruption and said people will give a befitting reply to the party in the assembly elections.

 Congress leader & Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot's son, Vaibhav Gehlot casts his vote in Sardarpura.

"The seven guarantees announced by Congress will prove to be a masterstroke. The tradition (to change govt alternatively) will change and Congress will repeat government in the State," he said.

Nearly 10% votes cast in first two hours.

Nearly 25 per cent voter turnout till 11 am.

Rajasthan Governor Kalraj Mishra after he cast his vote in Jaipur.

"Robust voting underway in the State. For the past 10 years, there has been a BJP govt at the Centre. People are seeing unemployment and inflation. People want change. Congress will benefit from it," says Congress candidate from Tonk, Sachin Pilot.

"We are fighting this election for good governance. Today, the State government and administration are deep in corruption. For the restoration of Law and Order, strengthening State economy, and respect for women, I appeal to the public to vote for BJP," says BJP leader Dr Alka Gurjar.

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla casts his vote in Kota.

"This is not just a day of voting in Rajasthan, but also the day of the liberation of the State - liberation from the people who took the guarantee of making Rajasthan number 1 in rape and crimes against women, liberation from the people who took the guarantee of unemployment and paper leak in Rajasthan, from people who did unprecedented corruption in Rajasthan, from those who promised farm loan waiver, but deceived them and auctioned the land of 19,500 farmers...Today, voters of the State have the opportunity to liberate the State from misgovernance," says BJP leader Shehzad Poonawalla.

Rajasthan Congress chief Govind Singh Dotasra casts his vote in Sikar.


"There is enthusiasm for Congress in the entire state. People are voting with joy. With the kind of work done by Congress and the guarantees given by the party, there is zeal. The management done by the state government during COVID has led to a positive thought for the government among people. Congress government will come back to power with a good majority," says Rajasthan Congress president Govind Singh Dotasra.

RLP MP Hanuman Beniwal cast his vote at a polling booth in Baran.

BJP accuses Rahul Gandhi of poll code violation with his X post, seeks EC's action

The BJP accused Rahul Gandhi of violating poll guidelines with his post on X on the day of the Rajasthan assembly polls and urged the Election Commission of India (ECI) to seek suspension of the Congress leader's social media account and initiate other actions against him.

Over 40 per cent voter turnout till 1 pm.

Rajasthan recorded 40.27 per cent polling for 199 assembly constituencies till 1.30 pm, the Election Commission (EC) informed on Saturday.

Jaipur DGP Umesh Mishra and Rajasthan Chief Secretary Usha Sharma cast their vote at a polling booth in Jaipur.

"I would say that it's a festival of democracy and people should actively participate in it. One should exercise one's right to vote freely and fearlessly. There's tight security and our officers and flying squad are keeping their eyes ," says DGP Umesh Mishra.

Vasundhara Raje hits out at Rahul Gandhi over his remarks against Modi

"I don't think that any person, particularly if he/she is in the political sphere should use such a language. New voters are watching what their leaders are doing," says BJP leader and former Rajasthan CM Vasundhara Raje.

Rajasthan BJP chief C. P. Joshi casts his vote in Rajsamand.

BJP expert in making issues out of non-issues: Congress’ Bulaki Das Kalla

Rajasthan Congress leader Bulaki Das Kalla, while speaking to the media in Bikaner amid the ongoing polling process in Rajasthan, said on Saturday that the BJP is an expert in making issues out of nowhere.

Stone pelting reported near Bochiwal Bhawan, Fatehpur Shekhawati in Sikar; heavy police deployed.

55.63% voter turnout recorded till 3 pm, as per ECI.

Fathepur DSP Ramprasad on stone pelting in Sikar.

"I don't know the latest turnout but I am confident that the result would be in favour of the BJP. The BJP will win with a record margin and it will break its own record of 2013. BJP will form the government in Rajasthan under the leadership of PM Modi. BJP will win more than 163 seats," says Union Minister Pralhad Joshi 

"We have public's support on our side and we will win and form our government," says Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot as he arrives at Jaipur airport. 

"For development, people will definitely support the BJP. There would be a majority not just in Rajasthan, but also in Telangana, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh," says Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal.

On the clash between two groups at Fatehpur Shekhawati, Sikar SP Paris Deshmukh says, "We received information that there had been stone pelting between two groups in a street. A mobile party, SHO, CO, and police reached here and took the situation completely under control. No voting is hindered. 6 to 7 people have been detained. CAPF (Central Armed Police Forces) teams are deployed. Initially, it is known that there was a verbal clash between the two groups regarding the votes. One police jawan has minor injuries. Those who are responsible, we will take appropriate action."

"It's my right and I wanted to exercise my right (to vote) first. That's why, I preferred to vote before my marriage," Groom after casting his vote on his wedding day in Didwana.

68.24% voter turnout recorded in Rajasthan till 5 pm, as per ECI.

EVM being sealed & secured at a polling booth in Savali village, Bikaner.

Voters reaching booth premises by 6 p.m. allowed to vote, says Chief Electoral Officer

Voting time for the ongoing Assembly Election-2023 in Rajasthan is till 6 p.m.

According to the guidelines issued by the Election Commission of India, all the voters who have reached the booth premises by this time will be allowed to vote. No new person will be allowed to enter the campus after 6 p.m.

Chief Electoral Officer Praveen Gupta said that the polling personnel will number the slips of such voters who reach till 6 pm and will issue these slips starting from the last voter.

After this, voting will continue until all the voters exercise their franchise. The Chief Electoral Officer has instructed the District Election Officers to pay special attention to this.

BJP candidate Ashok Dogra from Bundi constituency cast his vote at a polling booth in Bundi.

"As far as problems with EVM are concerned, our state has the least number of problems with EVM during the poll & mock poll," says Rajasthan Chief Electoral Officer Praveen Gupta.

Electronic Voting Machines (EVM) being sealed & secured at a polling booth in Jaipur.

70.00% voter turnout was recorded in Rajasthan till 9 pm, as per the Election Commission of India.

74.13% voter turnout was recorded in Rajasthan, as per the Election Commission of India.

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