At 68.2%, Raj sees record polling

JAIPUR: Braving the scorching heat in the desert state, voters of the 13 Lok Sabha constituencies which went to polls on Monday, turned up in impressive numbers to cast their votes. By the end of the polling, a record turnout of 68.2% has crossed 2014 LS polls turnout of 64.37% in these many constituencies. This is the highest turnout in Rajastan in Lok Sabha elections.
Incidents of violence have been reported from various parts of the state. "In two polling stations in Barmer (Chohtan) and Ajmer, there were reports of ballot units being damaged by some persons. FIRs would be lodged in both the cases," said state's Chief Electoral Officer Anand Kumar. The BJP had also complained to the CEO in this regard. Arrests have already been made in the case.

The state election department was receiving complaints of violence, EVM malfunctioning and other complaints through mails, whatsapp and mobile phones.
"We got the information about Chohtan in Barmer. Those who were creating problems outside the booths have been arrested. There were stray incidents of violence here and there. We have taken action in all the cases. But there were no reports of bogus polling anywhere," he said.
Voters taking selfie after cating their vote in jaisalmer
In another incident, Congress candidate from Jalore Ratan Dewasi's vehicle was attacked by some miscreants with stones, during which his driver was hurt. "We have sought a report. It is true that there was an incident of stone pelting. Once we get the report, we will register a case. In Ajmer, there was an incident where glue was applied on a person’s button. We will register the case once the presiding officer sends the report," said M L Lather, DGP (Law and Order).
“Two FIRs have been lodged in Raniwara (Gang village), Jalore for violence. One person belonging to Patel community had beaten up another person belonging to Dewasi community. One has already been arrested,” said Lather.
Amid temperature shooting up to 43.5 degree celcius in Barmer, it registered highest voters' turnout in the first phase with 73.15%, while Pali registered lowest with 62.41%. In 2014 Lok Sabha election, the voters’ turnout in Barmer was 72.56% and in Pali it was 57.69%, which is less than the current voting percentage in both the constituencies.
Even as Jodhpur recorded highest temperature in the state with 44.7 degree celcius, the voting turnout was 68.40%, which is much higher than the last LS elections in the state (62.50%).
Villagers of Ajmer pose after casting their votes
The votes were cast in 28,182 polling booths in 13 constituencies. Due to malfunctioning of the EVM and VVPATs reported from various booths, 49 (0.14%) ballot units, 49 control units (0.14%) and 305 VVPATs (0.83%) have been replaced. At 7:30 pm on Monday, about 4,500 voters were still waiting in various polling stations to cast their votes.
On the issue of limited number of wheelchairs at the polling stations, Kumar said: “There are about 12,245 wheelchairs available in total. It could be true that in a few places, the numbers were not enough. But we ensured that volunteers did the needful.” Around 7000 wheelchairs were made available for the first phase of elections.
Till 1 pm, the percentage of voting in the 13 Lok Sabha seats of the state reached 45.18%. Similarly, polling was 54.78% and 63.85% respectively till 3 pm and 5 pm. (The figures released by EC are till 11 pm).