Madhya Pradesh Assembly Elections 2023: 76% Voter Turnout Recorded

Bhopal: In a significant development, the voter turnout in the Madhya Pradesh assembly elections on Friday crossed the 75 percent mark, surpassing the previous record set in 2018. The polling, which was held for all 230 constituencies in a single phase, witnessed an enthusiastic participation from voters across the state.

High Voter Turnout

According to the state's Chief Electoral Officer Anupam Rajan, the voter turnout was approximately 76 percent. He stated that the final figure would be released after receiving the remaining details, which might take some time. The high voter turnout reflects the active engagement and interest of the citizens in the democratic process.

Direct Fight Between BJP And Congress

The incumbent Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the opposition Congress are engaged in a direct fight in the state. The polling, however, was marred by sporadic incidents of violence in a few places. In Rajnagar, an aide of a Congress candidate was killed following a clash between two groups, as reported by the police.

Naxalite-Affected Districts

In the naxalite-affected districts of Balaghat, Mandla, and Dindori, voting concluded at 3 PM, while in other parts of the state, it continued until 6 PM. The polling process commenced at 7 AM across all 230 constituencies.

Key Candidates

The fates of 2,533 candidates, including the Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan of the BJP and his predecessor, the state Congress chief Kamal Nath, were sealed in Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). Several prominent leaders cast their votes early in the day, including Chouhan and his family, Nath and his family, Union ministers Narendra Singh Tomar, Jyotiraditya Scindia, and Prahlad Patel, state BJP president V D Sharma, and BJP general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya.

Women's Participation

It was heartening to witness a large number of women standing in queues at various polling booths across the state, including Hoshangabad. Their active participation in the electoral process highlights their commitment to shaping the future of their state.

Incidents Of Violence

While the polling was largely peaceful, a few incidents of violence were reported. In the Mhow area of Indore district, five individuals were injured in a skirmish between two groups. Additionally, two men were wounded in a clash in Morena district's Dimani constituency, where Union Minister Narendra Singh Tomar is contesting. The police are investigating these incidents.

Allegations And Counter-Allegations

State Congress chief Kamal Nath accused the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of distributing money and liquor to voters on the eve of the elections. He claimed to have received several videos as evidence. Furthermore, Nath alleged that BJP workers created a ruckus in a police station located in the Indore-1 assembly constituency.

Home Minister's Statement

Earlier in the morning, state Home Minister Narottam Mishra made a controversial statement, suggesting that if any party other than the BJP won the election, there would be celebrations in Pakistan. His remarks drew criticism from various quarters.

The high voter turnout in the Madhya Pradesh assembly elections reflects the active participation of citizens in the democratic process. Despite isolated incidents of violence, the polling process was largely peaceful. The results of the elections, which will determine the future of the state, are eagerly awaited.