Haryana, Maharashtra Elections: PM Modi urges citizens to cast vote

As Maharastra and Haryana gear up for Assembly elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has urged voters to turn out in huge numbers to cast their votes. PM Modi in his tweet appealed to youngsters to cast votes to enrich the "festival of Democracy" in the country. The Prime Minister further appealed to people in Maharashtra and Haryana to vote in separate tweets. 

PM Modi's appeal to voters

8,98,39,600 people eligible to vote

Polling is underway to elect Maharashtra and Haryana Assemblies. In Maharashtra, the BJP and Shiv Sena Alliance are pitted against the Congress and NCP alliance. A total of 8,98,39,600 people, including 4,28,43,635 women are eligible to vote. The Polling will be held from 7 am to 6 pm with tight security arrangements in both the States. The counting will be held on October 24 for both the States. In Maharastra during the last assembly elections, 3,255 candidates contested the elections and the State saw a 64% voter turnout. While Haryana set a new state record with 76.54% voter turnout. 1,351 candidates contested in Haryana in 2014. 

Three lakh police personnel and Central forces have been deployed in Maharashtra while over 75,000 security personnel have been mobilized in Haryana. Bypolls will also be held to 51 assembly seats and two Lok Sabha constituencies spread across 18 States. 

In Maharastra, the BJP is seeking a second term under Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. The Shiv Sena is contesting from 126 seats and BJP is contesting from 162 seats. For the Haryana Assembly elections, Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar has reportedly set a target of 75 out of 90 assembly seats. Last time, the BJP won 48 seats enjoying a comfortable majority, while the Congress won 17 seats.

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