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Over 67% polling in Haryana for LS polls

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No untoward incident was reported from anywhere in the State

Around 67.35% voters exercised their franchise in the 10 Lok Sabha seats of Haryana at the close of polling at 6 p.m. on Sunday.

In the 2014 general election, the overall poll percentage stood at 71.86.

State Joint Chief Electoral Officer Inderjeet Singh said the exact percentage would be known later and those voters who had entered the polling booths before 6 pm will be allowed to cast their votes.

No untoward incident was reported in the State and the polling remained peaceful. Nearly 67.35% voters have cast their vote, Mr. Singh said.

The turnout in seven constituencies crossed 60%, while the poll percentage in Gurgaon, Karnal and Faridabad was less than 60%, the officer said.

There were reports of minor skirmishes from some parts, including Fatehabad, Nuh in Mewat, Sirsa and Gurgaon between supporters of political parties.

While poll officials said voting went on smoothly during the day, Congress’ Rohtak candidate, Deepender Singh Hooda, who is seeking re-election for a fourth term, accused Haryana Minister and Rohtak MLA Manish Grover of intimidating voters by forcibly entering some polling booths.

Deepender Hooda, son of former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, also lodged a complaint with Rohtak’s Deputy Ccommissioner.

Mr. Grover rejected the charge as “baseless” allegations in the face of “imminent defeat”. The Minister alleged that there were complaints against Congress workers of intimidating some voters.

Jannayak Janta Party (JJP) leader and Sonipat candidate Digvijay Chautala alleged that his party symbol (a pair of slippers) were not clearly visible on electronic voting machines at booths 88, 89 and 90 in Jind district.

The election officer said there were some glitches in EVMs and the voter verifiable paper audit trail (VVPAT) at a few booths early in the morning, but those were replaced immediately.

In the initial hours, the polling was brisk, but as the day progressed, the turnout dropped slightly.

Indian cricket team captain Virat Kohli posted a picture of his inked finger on Twitter after exercising his franchise at a polling booth in Gurgaon. “Voting is your right and responsibility towards nation building. Go vote,” he said.

Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar voted in Karnal, Bhupinder Singh Hooda, who is fighting from Sonipat, cast his vote at Kiloi in Rohtak district.

State Congress chief Ashok Tanwar, JJP candidate and sitting Hisar MP Dushyant Chautala exercised their franchise in Sirsa.

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