R'than polls: 4.7 crore set to vote, security tightened

A total of 2,274 candidates will be fighting the elections this year out of which 21,087 are men and 187 are women. (Photo: Suman Sarkar)

As many as 4.7 crore voters on rolls as Rajasthan goes to Assembly polls on December 7.

The voting in 199 constituencies will begin at 8 AM and continue till 5 PM. Around 52,000 polling booths, including at least one all-women booth in each constituency, have been set up. More than 2 lakh EVMs and VVPAT machines are being used. VVPAT machines are being used for the first time in the state. This year there will be 259 all-women managed polling booths and three divyang booths (run by physically challenged officials).

A total of 2,274 candidates will be fighting the elections this year out of which 21,087 are men and 187 are women. Congress has fielded 194 candidates and BJP 199. Independents number 830 and 817 are from unrecognised parties. Interestingly, BSP, which could not win a single seat has 189 candidates in fray, whereas CPI(M) has fielded 28 candidates.

The BJP and the Congress are the main contenders in this poll.

Strong rooms foolproof

Rajasthan chief electoral officer (CEO) Anand Kumar assured safety and security of strong rooms meant for the storage of EVMs and VVPAT machines after polling. "The ‘strong rooms are foolproof and extra measures have been taken for uninterrupted power supply," Kumar added. According to the State Director General of Police O P Galhotra, three-tier arrangements are in place to deal with any situation.

The poll campaign in the state ended at 5 pm on Wednesday. EVMs and VVPATs were despatched to 23 remote polling stations on Wednesday itself.

Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje is contesting for a fourth consecutive time from Jhalrapatan constituency. The Congress fielded veteran Ashok Gehlot from Sardarpura, while Sachin Pilot has been given a ticket from Tonk.

Deccan Herald is on WhatsApp Channels| Join now for Breaking News & Editor's Picks