People of all ages and genders went to vote in Rajasthan as the state chose a new government on Saturday. The electoral process commenced at over 51,000 polling booths at 7 am sharp. Within the first two hours, an estimated 10% of eligible voters had already cast their ballots, confirmed an official source. The voting period is scheduled to extend until 6 pm.

A staggering 5.25 crore voters hold the destiny of 1,862 candidates contesting across 199 out of 200 assembly seats in Rajasthan. The election in one constituency was postponed due to the unfortunate demise of a candidate.

The Election Commission meticulously orchestrated arrangements to ensure the smooth conduction of polls, deploying over 1.70 lakh security personnel throughout the state. The electoral battle in the desert expanse primarily revolves around a direct confrontation between the incumbent Congress and the opposition BJP. The Congress endeavors to defy the historical trend of the ruling party being unseated every five years, while the BJP eyes a triumphant resurgence preceding next year's Lok Sabha polls.

The enthusiasm of the populace was evident from the early hours, witnessing long queues at polling centers even before the stipulated 7 am commencement.

Eminent figures such as Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, Union Ministers Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and Kailash Chaudhary, former Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje, and former Deputy Chief Minister Sachin Pilot were among the initial voters. Gehlot and Shekhawat cast their votes in Jodhpur, Chaudhary in Balotra, Raje in Jhalawar, and Pilot in Jaipur.

Noteworthy personalities from the BJP, including Rajasthan BJP President C P Joshi, exercised their franchise in Chittorgarh, while party MPs Diya Kumari and Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore voted in Jaipur. Kumari and Rathore are two of seven BJP parliamentarians contesting in the assembly elections.

Expressing confidence in their party's prospects, these leaders conveyed optimism to the media regarding securing the public mandate on the polling day.

Chief Minister Gehlot, while in Jodhpur, expressed assurance in the Congress's favor for re-establishing the government in the state. "There seems to be an undercurrent. Looks like the (Congress) government will be repeated," he remarked.

Agreeing with Gehlot's sentiment, Raje, in Jhalawar, anticipated a beneficial outcome for the BJP. "I agree with him. There is indeed an undercurrent, but in favor of BJP. Lotus (BJP's poll symbol) will bloom on December 3," she asserted.

Union Minister Shekhawat, speaking in Jodhpur, proclaimed, "BJP is coming to power with a huge majority." He emphasized that voters were considering issues like crimes against women, paper leak incidents, and corruption during the Congress's five-year tenure.

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and several other leaders urged Rajasthan's populace to turn out in large numbers to vote.

Officials reported a smooth electoral process across the state, barring a saddening incident in Pali district where a polling agent died due to a suspected cardiac arrest at booth number 47 in the Sumerpur assembly constituency.

The state's 200 assembly seats saw polling in 199 constituencies, with the election in Karanpur, Sriganganagar district, postponed following the demise of Congress candidate Gurmeet Singh Koonar. The eligible voters in these 199 constituencies amount to 5,25,38,105.

Chief Minister Gehlot (Sardarpura), Vasundhara Raje (Jhalrapatan), Sachin Pilot (Tonk), state Congress chief Govind Singh Dotasra (Lachhmangarh), and Rashtriya Loktantrik Party (RLP) convenor Hanuman Beniwal (Khinvsar) are some prominent candidates among the 1,862 contestants vying for victory.

The poll results are slated for declaration on December 3.

The fray witnessed several BJP and Congress leaders rebelling after being denied tickets. Notable BJP rebels include former assembly speaker Kailash Meghwal, Chandrabhan Akya from Chittorgarh, and former transport minister Yoonus Khan from Deedwana. In the Congress camp, key rebel candidates include Joharilal Meena from Rajgarh-Laxmangarh, Gopal Baheti in Pushkar, Habiburrahman from Nagaur, Virendra Beniwal in Lunkaransar, Khiladi Lal Bairwa in Baseri, and Dr. Param Navdeep Singh in Sangaria.

Moreover, the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) have also joined the electoral fray in Rajasthan.

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