As Elections return, sand-artist Sudarsan creates masterpiece in Puri

The internationally acclaimed sand artist, Sudarsan Pattnaik on Monday urged the people to vote, spreading 'voter awareness' through his sand art at Puri beach in Odisha. In his art, Pattnaik has made a polling booth with hands showing that they have voted. Pattnaik is an internationally acclaimed sand artist who has participated in over 50 international championships and won many awards. Pattnaik is known for making sand sculptures that give out a strong social message. 

Haryana Assembly elections

Polling for the 90-seat Haryana Assembly elections has started at 7 am and will continue till 6 pm on Monday. The counting will be held on October 24. According to reports, the state of Haryana has tightened security with more than 40,000 police personnel and over 13,000 paramilitary personnel. Along with this, more than 20,000 Home Guards and Special Police Officers have been deployed. The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is contesting against the opposition Congress and the Jannayak Janata Party (JJP). According to reports, over 1.83 crore voters have been registered for voting, including around 85 lakh women and over 252 transgenders.  

Read: Akshay Kumar's birthday: Sudarsan Pattnaik wishes through sand art

Maharashtra Assembly elections

Polling is underway for the 288-seat Maharashtra Assembly elections. The counting of the polls will be held on October 24. According to reports, in Maharashtra, a total of 8,98,39,600 people, including 4,28,43,635 women, are eligible to vote. As many as 3,237 candidates, including 235 women, are contesting in 288 seats and 96,661 polling booths are in place with 6.5 lakh staff for the voting exercise. Further, three lakh police personnel and Central forces have been deployed in the state for the security. For the Maharashtra Assembly elections, the BJP-Shiv Sena alliance are pitted against the Congress-NCP alliance. While the Shiv Sena is contesting from 126 seats, the BJP is contesting from 162 seats. The BJP is seeking a second term for Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. 

Read: Indian sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik wins People's Choice Award in US

PM Modi urges people to vote

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday has urged the voters to turn out in huge numbers to cast their votes. PM Modi in his tweet has appealed to young voters to cast their votes in large numbers. 

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