Rajasthan election highlights: 72% turnout, exit polls predict Congress win

The election is a direct contest between BJP and Congress.

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Curious as to which party will win elections in which state? 

The exit poll results for elections in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Telangana, Chhattisgarh and Mizoram are out. Catch latest updates here - https://mybs.in/2VsF5k2

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Rajasthan polls: All-woman polling booths evoke mixed response

 

The Election Commission's move to set up all-woman booths for the Assembly polls in Rajasthan received a mixed response with the voters giving it a thumbs up but the polling staff expressing some reservations. (Read more here) 

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Stay alert, EVMs have mysterious powers in Modi's India: Rahul to party workers

 

Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Friday asked party workers to be vigilant after polls close in Rajasthan and Telangana, saying in "Modi's India, the EVMs have mysterious powers". (Read more here) 

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This Rajasthan village's residents have refused to vote

 

Residents of Chhemar Ka Pura village under Rajakhera Assembly constituency have decided to not cast votes alleging that their long-pending demand of a proper approach road to their village is yet to be met. "Candidates seek votes, they win but do not address our long-pending demand of a proper approach road to the village. We have largely decided to boycott polling," Gendalal Kushwah, a local, said. 

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Rajasthan polls: It is not just the elders, the youth, too, were excited about casting votes. "Quality education and employment are the main issue for youngsters. There is a need to improve education infrastructure in the state, because many of us have to go out of the state for higher studies," Utkarsh Agnihotri, a first-time voter who is preparing for NEET, said in Jaipur. 

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In many parts of Rajasthan, more than 20 per cent votes were cast in the first three hours of polling, which started at 8 am. 

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Rajasthan polls: Waiting in a queue to cast his vote in Sanganer Assembly constituency of Jaipur, Mohan Singh said, "I have come with my grandchildren who are minors, but it is good for them to see the polling process. It makes them aware." 

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Young and old queue up in booths for peace, prosperity and employment

 

Her back bent over with age, nonagenarian Rama Devi, with the support of her family members, walked to a polling booth in a village in Rajasthan's Jodhpur and exercised her franchise. "There must be peace and prosperity in the country," the 96-year-old said as her wrinkled face gleamed with a smile when asked what encouraged her to vote. (Read more here)  

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Rajasthan polls: Despite hardships, people from remote villages came out to vote with a noticeable number of women seen at the polling stations. One such voter is 101-year-old Pali Devi who voted at a booth in Barmer. 

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Rajasthan polls: People here had to walk long distances as polling booths are located at far off places. Both the districts share a border with Pakistan and are part of the Thar desert region. 

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Voters walk miles through desert to cast votes

 

In Rajasthan's border districts of Barmer and Jaisalmer, people reached polling booths walking several miles through the desert to cast their votes Friday. (Read more here)

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59.41% voter turnout recorded till 3 pm in Rajasthan

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According to a report in ABP News, clashes that broke out in Rajasthan's Sikar district between the Congress and the RLP, occurred in Fatehpur town. 

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Stray incidents of violence have been reported from Bikaner, Bharatpur, Dausa and Barmer districts. Three persons have been injured in a clash between supporters of two candidates at Deeg in Bharatpur.

 

A jeep taking voters to the polling station at Bajju in Bikaner was set on fire.

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42 per cent turnout in Rajasthan till 1 pm

Polling was going on at a brisk pace in Rajasthan Friday where nearly 42 per cent of the over 4.74 crore voters exercised their franchise till 1 pm

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Vehicles set on fire in Sikar

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BJP candidate Siddhi Kumari after casting vote for the state Assembly elections, at a polling station in Bikaner. Photo: PTI

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BJP candidate Siddhi Kumari after casting vote for the state Assembly elections, at a polling station in Bikaner. Photo: PTI

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Polling is on in 199 of the 200 Assembly seats in Rajasthan on Friday. It will decide the fate of Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje, who is facing a tough challenge from a resurgent Congress, which was decimated in 2013.

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The polling, which began on a dull note at 8 am, picked up speed in the last two hours. Voting will continue till 5 pm. Long queues of voters, including women, were seen, especially in rural areas.

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The polling, which began on a dull note at 8 am, picked up speed in the last two hours. Voting will continue till 5 pm. Long queues of voters, including women, were seen, especially in rural areas.

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An election officer put an indelible ink mark on the finger of former Rajasthan chief minister and senior Congress leader Ashok Gehlot after he cast his vote during the state Assembly elections, at Mahamandir School, in Jodhpur. Photo: PTI

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Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and his family members show their ink-marked finger after casting their vote for the state Assembly elections, in Jodhpur. Photo: PTI

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