A high voter turnout on Monday, 28 January, was recorded in by-elections to the Jind Assembly constituency in Haryana and the Ramgarh Assembly constituency in Rajasthan, where the Congress and BJP are locked in a battle of prestige.
In Jind bypolls, polling percentage was recorded at 75.77 percent, officials said. The bypoll was necessitated following the death of INLD legislator Hari Chand Midha. Congress has fielded party Spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala against BJP's Krishna Midda in the constituency.
The turnout was 78.9 percent in Ramgarh, where the election was deferred following the death of BSP candidate Laxman Singh a few days before the 7 December Rajasthan Assembly polls, which saw the Congress defeat the BJP-led dispensation in the state.
- Officials said the turnout in both seats is likely to increase as there were people in queues in several booths after 5 pm, the scheduled time for voting to end
- Counting of votes will take place on 31 January
- Senior leader Randeep Surjewala is the Congress’ candidate from Jind while BJP has fielded Krishna Midda
- The fight for Ramgarh is a three-way contest between the candidates of BJP, BSP and the Congress
Click here to read the live updates in Hindi.
(At The Quint, we question everything. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member today.)
Polling for High-Stakes Jind Assembly Bypoll Ends, Turnout At Over 70%
Over 70 percent turnout was reported on Monday, 28 January, in the by-election to the Jind assembly constituency in Haryana, dubbed as a prestige battle for all four major contenders ahead of parliamentary and assembly polls.
The ruling BJP, Congress, the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) and and the Jannayak Janata Party (JJP), which was formed after a split in the INLD, have pulled out all the stops for a victory.
As per preliminary figures, poll percentage at 5 pm crossed 70 percent.
According to the officials, the final turnout is likely to be higher as there were people in queues in several booths after 5 pm, the scheduled time for voting to end.
Over 78% Turnout in Ramgarh Bypoll
Polling in Rajasthan's Ramgarh constituency ended on Monday, 28 January, with a voter turnout of 78.45 percent, officials said.
They, however, said the turnout is likely to increase as there were people in queues in several booths after 5 pm, the scheduled time for voting to end.
Final voting percentage will be released later, they said.
Ramgarh Bypoll: 68.73 Percent Voter Turnout till 3 PM
A voter turnout of 68.73 per cent was registered till 3 pm on Monday, 28 January, in the ongoing bypoll for Rajasthan's Ramgarh Assembly constituency.
Over 60 % Polling Recorded till 3 PM in Jind Bypoll
Over 60 percent polling percentage was recorded till 3 pm in Haryana's Jind assembly bypoll.