Sat Oct 05 10:47:19 UTC 2024: ## Haryana Votes for Change as BJP Seeks Third Consecutive Win

**Haryana went to the polls on Sunday in a high-stakes election, with voters casting ballots for the 90 assembly seats.**

A total of 1,031 candidates are vying for victory, including incumbent Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar leading the BJP’s charge for a third consecutive term. The Congress, led by Bhupinder Singh Hooda and Vinesh Phogat, is hoping to reclaim power after a decade in the opposition.

**Voter turnout reached 49.13% by 3 pm, with Mewat recording the highest turnout at 42.64% and Panchkula lagging behind at 25.89%.**

The election has seen a flurry of campaign activity, with both the BJP and Congress making strong pitches to voters. BJP leaders have highlighted the party’s development record, while the Congress has focused on issues like unemployment and farmer distress.

**The election is being closely watched as a barometer of the BJP’s national popularity ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.**

**Key takeaways:**

* **High-stakes election:** The BJP aims for a hat-trick of victories, while the Congress seeks to regain power after a decade.
* **High voter turnout:** Over 2.1 crore voters are eligible to cast their ballots, with a significant number of women and first-time voters participating.
* **Key figures:** Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, Bhupinder Singh Hooda, and Vinesh Phogat are among the prominent candidates.
* **Campaign themes:** The BJP has focused on its development record, while the Congress has focused on issues like unemployment and farmer distress.

**The results of the Haryana Assembly elections will be announced on October 8th.**

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