SHIMLA: Himachal Pradesh recorded 58% polling in the assembly elections on Saturday till 3 pm. The polling started on a slow note in the morning 8am but later gained some pace.
Himachal Pradesh Assembly Elections 2022 Live Updates
In the last assembly election held in 2017, state had recorded 75.57% voting. Till 9am, the state had recorded around 5% voting that increased to 17.9% by 11 am and 37% by 1 pm. Total 412 candidates are in the fray for the assembly elections in the state of which 24 are female and their fate sealed in the EVMs on Saturday and now counting of votes will take place on December 8.
Total 55,92,828 voters of the state will elect their representatives among these candidates, for which a total of 7,881 polling stations have been set up. Of the total voters, 28,54,945 are male electors, 27,37,845 female and 38 third gender voters. This time there are 1,93,106 new voters in the age group of 18-19 years while 1,21,409 voters are above 80 years age and 56,501 are in persons with disability (PwD) category.
By 3 pm, Seraj assembly constituency of chief minister Jai Ram Thakur along with Sujanpur constituency of Hamirpur district had recorded 65% polling each which was highest in the state, Jubbal-Kotkhai assembly constituency of Shimla district was on second place with polling of 64.71% while Sir Renukaji assembly constituency of Sirmaur district was on third place with the polling of 64.46%.
Despite intense cold conditions, Lahaul-Spiti assembly constituency recorded 62.75% polling, Manali recorded 62.05% polling, Anni in Kullu district 62.4% polling, Karsog in Mandi district 61.93% polling and Darang in Mandi district recorded 62.5% polling.
BJP and Congress both are contesting on all the 68 assembly constituencies, while AAP is contesting on 67 assembly constituencies. Similarly, BSP on 53 seats, Rashtriya Devbhoomi Party on 29 seats, CPM on 11 seats, Himachal Jan Kranti Party on 6 seats, Hindu Samaj Party and Swabhiman Party both on 3 seats each and one each from Himachal Janata Party, Bhartiya Veer Dal, Sainik Samaj Party ,Rashtriya Lok Niti Party and Communist Party of India. There are 99 independent candidates including rebels from BJP and Congress also in the fray.
The maximum number of 11 candidates in fray are from Jogindernagar assembly constituency of Mandi district, while the minimum number of three candidates each are in Churah assembly constituency of Chamba district, Lahaul-Spiti assembly constituency and Drang assembly constituency of Mandi district.
For the smooth conduct of elections, the police department has made adequate security arrangements in Himachal Pradesh. Of the 7881 polling stations in the state, 981 polling stations are critical while 901 polling stations are vulnerable.
As per the directions of Election Commission, in the state 232 flying squads and 232 static surveillance teams have also been constituted. The 108 entry points located along the neighbouring states have been sealed and heavy deployment of police personnel have also been made on these entry points. On 108 check points, CCTV cameras have also been installed to keep vigil on the movement of people and vehicles entering the state.
For the peaceful conduct of polls, 67 companies of central armed police force and state armed police force has been deployed. Beside, 11847 police personnel of state and 8381 home guards personnel, including 4500 from state and 2500 from Uttarakhand and 1381 from Uttar Pradesh, have also been deployed on election duty.
