25 per cent polling in Rajasthan
4 Dec 2008, 1425 Hrs

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Jaipur, Dec 4 An estimated 25 per cent voters excercised their franchise by noon in Rajasthan where polling for the 200 assembly constituencies bagan this morning.

According to official sources, a complaint of booth capturing was reported from a polling station in Ranipara in Bandikui constituency.

Rajasthan Governor S K Singh, Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje, AICC General Secretary and former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot have already cast their ballots in the respective constituencies.

Gehlot who came out in the morning to cast his vote in Jodhpur said that he is confidenthat the people of Rajasthan will vote out the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government on issues of corruption and lack of development.

"The atmosphere before the elections is really good across the state. The people of the state want a change in the government and they want this wrong governance to end," he added.

Over 3.62 crore voters, including 1.72 crore women, are likely to decide the fate of 2,194 candidates. Counting will be held on December 8.

The ruling BJP has fielded candidates for 193 seats. The opposition Congress has fielded candidates for all the 200 assembly seats, followed by BSP 199, NCP 39, CPI (M) 34 and CPI 21. There are also 1023 independent candidates in the fray.

Among the prominent contestants are Vasundhara Raje (Jhalrapatan), Ashok Gehlot (Sardarpura), Rajasthan assembly speaker Sumitra singh (Mandawa), state Home Minister Gulab Chand Kataria (Udaipur), Congress state president C P Joshi (Nathdwara), Health Minister and former Vice-President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat's son-in-law Narpat Singh Rajvi (Vidhyadhar Nagar) and Gujarat governor Naval Kishore Sharma's son Brij Kishore Sharma of Congress (Hawamahal).

Over 42, 000 polling booths have been set up for 3, 62, 19,481 eligible voters to exercise their franchise in the state.

Unprecedented security arrangements have been made for the election in wake of the terrorist attack in Mumbai last week. (ANI)