Voting for the Himachal Pradesh Assembly elections took place at 68 constituencies across the State on November 12.
The State has recorded nearly 65.92% voter turnout till 5 p.m. as per provisional data from the Election Commission. Sirmaur witnessing 72.35% turnout followed by 68.48% in Solan and 67.67% in Una and 67.5% in Lahaul and Spiti. The voting started on a slow note with only around 5% polling recorded in the first hour.
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In the high-stakes battle, the ruling BJP is hoping for an encore on the back of its development agenda, while the Opposition Congress is urging voters to go by the four-decade old tradition of voting out incumbents. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is also trying its luck in the electoral battle.
More than 55 lakh voters in the hill State will decide the fate of 412 candidates, including Chief Minister Jairam Thakur, former CM Virbhadhra Singh’s son Vikramaditya Singh and former BJP chief Satpal Singh Satti, in the elections.
State records 65.92% polling till 5 pm: Election Commission
Himachal Pradesh recorded a voter turnout of 65.92% till 5 pm on Saturday, the Election Commission said, citing provisional polling figures for the State where the ruling BJP and the opposition Congress are locked in an aggressive fight.
The highest polling of 72.35% was recorded in Sirmaur district followed by 68.48% in Solan and 67.67% in Una and 67.5% in Lahaul and Spiti.
Shillai recorded the highest 77% turnout while Sarkaghat recorded the lowest 55.40%, among the 68 Assembly constituencies in the hill State, the poll panel said.
Seraj constituency in Mandi district from where Chief Minister Jairam Thakur is contesting and Sujanpur recorded 74% polling, according to the provisional figures. Among the other constituencies, Anni recorded polling of 63.65 %, Arki 66%, Churah 60.83% and Dalhousie 63%.-PTI
World’s highest polling station ‘Tashigang’ recorded 98.08% polling
Voters arrive to cast their votes for Himachal Pradesh Assembly elections, at Tashigang polling station in Lahaul & Spiti district, on November 12, 2022 | Photo Credit: PTI
Around 98.08% voter turnout was recorded in the world’s highest polling station booth in Lahaul and Spiti’s Tashigang on Saturday.
Of the 52 registered voters, 51 stepped out to elect a new State government amid polling in Himachal Pradesh.
Situated at a height of 15,256 feet, the polling station in Tashigang was made a Model Polling station to make voting easy for senior citizens and disabled voters.-ANI
Himachal Assembly Speaker Vipin Singh Parmar casts vote at Sullah
Bharatiya Janata Party leader and Himachal Pradesh Assembly speaker Vipin Singh Parmar cast his vote in the polls at Sullah on Saturday where his party is facing a triangular contest.
BJP’s Vipin Parmar has been pitted against Congress’ Jagdish Sapehia and Jagjivan Pal who is an independent candidate and a Congress rebel.
Mr. Pal had defeated Mr. Parmar in the 2012 Assembly polls. Whereas, Mr. Parmar had defeated Congress candidate Jagjiwan Pal with a margin of over 10,000 votes in the 2017 Assembly polls.-ANI
Centenarians vote in Himachal election
Dropping temperatures and advancing years failed to dampen the enthusiasm of centenarians as they came out to vote in assembly elections in Himachal Pradesh on Saturday, with 105-year-old Naro Devi exercising her franchise in Churah in Chamba and 103-year-old Pyar Singh in Shimla.
There are over 1.21 lakh people above 80 years of age in the hill State with as many as 1,136 centenarians. The Election Commission had made special arrangements for the elderly and persons with disabilities at polling stations across the State.
Himachal was home to 106-year-old Shyam Saran Negi, India’s first voter, who died a few days ago after casting his postal ballot for this election. Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar had paid tributes to Negi at his residence in Kalpa in Kinnaur and had said the real tribute to him would be for all citizens to take part in voting and strengthen democracy in the country.-PTI
State records 55.65% voter turnout by 3.00 p.m.
According to the Election Commission, Himachal Pradesh recorded 55.65% voter turnout by 3.00 p.m.
The highest polling of 62.75% was recorded in Lahaul and Spiti district, followed by 60.38% in Sirmaur and 58.9% in Mandi, the home district of Chief Minister Jairam Thakur.
The lowest turnout of 46% was recorded in Chamba district till 3 pm.
Seraj in Mandi from where the Chief Minister is contesting and Sujanpur recorded 65% polling, the highest among the 68 assembly constituencies. Anni constituency in Kullu recorded a polling of 62.4%, Arki 40%, Churah 34.68% and Dalhousie 38.44%, among others.- PTI
Congress to have majority in Himachal, BJP won’t succeed in poaching MLAs: Anand Sharma
Congress leader Anand Sharma on Saturday said that the people of Himachal Pradesh were in a mood to change the government in the state by ruling out the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the state assembly election.
Mr. Sharma said, “There’s a mood for change. Vast sections of society suffered especially Government employees, youth despondent because of unemployment, women and young people who’ll serve after Agnipath.”
When asked if there can be poaching of Congress MLAs, Mr. Sharma said, “We will have a strong majority, they (BJP) won’t succeed.”
Mr. Sharma cast his vote in Shimla’s Longwood in the Assembly polls which are underway on Saturday.-ANI
Jairam Thakur will continue to be CM face: BJP chief Nadda
Bharatiya Janata Party National President Jagat Prakash Nadda said the current Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh would be the face of the new CM of the State if the party wins the Assembly election. He said, “We definitely are in a comfortable majority. The election has been contested under the leadership of Jairam Thakur and he will continue (to be the CM face).”
He also took a swipe at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi as the latter did not participate in any campaign for the Himachal Pradesh Assembly election and said that they (the Congress) are careerist leaders. ”They are careerist leaders, realised that they will gain nothing in H.P. and Gujarat. Once they feel they are winning or can win, they all will come here for credit. They know they won’t gain anything. So they won’t be seen,” Mr. Nadda said attacking the Congress party. - ANI
Congress claims BJP circulating forged letter with motive to influence voting patterns
Himachal Pradesh Congress Committee claimed that Bharatiya Janata Party is circulating a forged letter with motives to influence voting patterns in favour of its party in the State. In a letter to Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar, Congress requested to file a complaint against the National and State Presidents of BJP.
The party further said that the letter with forged signatures of MP Rajiv Shukla was also addressed to Congress Chief Mallikarjun Kharge.
The party said that the letter is disseminating the frustration level of the BJP as they has got to know that their organisation has lost the faith of masses in Himachal Pradesh. — ANI
83-year-old walks 14KM in snow to cast vote
An 83-year-old woman, Dolma, cast her vote at Chasak Bhatori polling station in Pangi area of Chamba district after walking for a distance of 14KM on the snow-bound road. Falling under Bharmour Assembly segment, Chasak Bhatori polling station is the farthest polling station. A 90-year-old Narjam Mani and her 87-year-old husband Bheesham Dass cast their votes at polling station set up at Kalpa government primary school in Kinnaur. Electors were also casting their votes with full zeal at the world’s highest polling station at Tashigang, which falls under the Lahaul-Spiti Assembly segment. Tashigang is located at an altitude of 15,256 feet above the sea level. - ANI
157 polling stations solely managed by women staff
As part of its firm commitment towards gender equality and constructive participation of women in the electoral process, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar said that as many as 157 polling stations across the State are being managed solely by women staff.
CEC Kumar said, “In Hamirpur district, a creche facility has also been made available so that those who come with children don’t have to face any issues.” He further said that there are 56,000 Persons with Disabilities (PwD) voters in Himachal. ”We have made a lot of arrangements for them and 37 polling stations are being managed solely by PWD staff. This is a tool of their employment which we wanted to display,” the CEC said. Mr. Kumar further hailed the elderly voters of the State. ”I salute 1.2 lakh voters in the State who are above 80 years of age. - ANI
37.19% turnout till 1 p.m.
Himachal Pradesh has recorded 37.19% voter turnout till 1 p.m., with Sirmaur registering the highest at 41.89%, followed by Mandi at 41.17% and Kullu at 40.33%. The lowest turnout has been registered in Lahaul and Spiti with just 21.95% votes polled.
Vote with full understanding to weave the future of Himachal: Priyanka Gandhi Vadra
Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Saturday appealed to the voters of Himachal Pradesh to “vote with full understanding in weaving the future of Himachal” as the State goes to the polls to decide the fate of 412 candidates for 68 Assembly seats.
“Dear Himachali people, you all understand the situation of yourself and your state very well. Considering your circumstances, perform the duty of voting with full understanding and make your important contribution to changing the situation and weaving the future of Himachal. Jai Hind. Jai Himachal,” she wrote on Twitter. - ANI
105-year-old woman casts vote at Churah
A 105-year-old woman, Naro Devi, cast her vote at Ladhan polling station falling under the Churah Assembly constituency in Himachal Pradesh’s Chamba district on Saturday.
Though the Election Commission provided a voluntary facility to 80 plus aged electors to vote through ballot papers at their homes, yet this aged woman did not opt for that facility and preferred to cast her vote through the electronic voting machine (EVM) at the polling station. - ANI
BJP chief J.P. Nadda casts vote in Bilaspur
BJP national president J.P. Nadda on Saturday cast his vote at Vijaypur in Bilaspur in the Himachal Pradesh Assembly elections. “With the kind of atmosphere I’m seeing since morning, I think people have zeal and that zeal is over something right. I request people to cast vote in large numbers,” Mr. Nadda said.
BJP chief’s wife Mallika Nadda also cast her vote.
Poll body prohibits exit, opinion polls for Himachal, Gujarat polls
The Election Commission of India has prohibited exit or opinion polls regarding the Vidhan Sabha elections in Himachal Pradesh and Gujarat from Saturday. - ANI
Nearly 18% turnout till 11 a.m.
The State has recorded 17.89 % voter turnout till 11 a.m with Mandi registering the highest at 21.92%, followed by Sirmaur at 21.66% and Solan at 20.28%.
Sirmour records 6.26% turnout till now
Of the 5.02% votes polled in Himachal Pradesh Assembly elections so far, the highest turnout has been recorded in Sirmour at 6.26%, followed by Mandi at 6.24% and Hamirpur at 5.61%.
Voters in Himachal queue up outside polling booths
From Shimla to the icy heights of Spiti, voters across Himachal Pradesh stepped out on Saturday to elect a new state government. It is a crucial test for the BJP hoping to beat precedent and return to power as well as for the Congress looking for electoral revival.
Voting began at 8 a.m. on a slow note with an Election Commission official saying only 4% polling was registered till 9 a.m. - PTI
Union Minister Anurag Thakur casts vote in Hamirpur
Former Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal, his son and Union Minister Anurag Thakur, and their family cast votes for the Assembly elections at Samirpur in Hamirpur on Saturday.
Himachal will vote for OPS, employment: Rahul Gandhi
As voting began for the Himachal Pradesh polls, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday said the state will vote for the return of the old pension scheme and employment.
“Himachal will vote for OPS, Himachal will vote for employment and Himachal will vote for ‘Har Ghar Lakshmi’,” Mr. Gandhi said in a tweet in Hindi.
Nearly 5% voter turnout recorded so far
Himachal Pradesh has registered 4.89% turnout after first hour of polling, as per Voter Turnout app. Mandi has recorded the highest turnout so far at 6.24%, followed by Una at 5.47% and Hamirpur at 5.61%.
H.P. Congress chief casts vote in Rampur
Himachal Pradesh Congress chief Pratibha Singh, her son and party MLA Vikramaditya Singh cast their votes for in Rampur, Shimla, for the Assembly elections “We’d like to tell people of Himachal Pradesh to vote for development and work. We’re confident of winning 40-45 seats,” she said.
Close contest between BJP and Congress
A close fight is on the cards in the Assembly polls in Himachal Pradesh, with the ruling BJP hindered by anti-incumbency sentiments, while the challenging Congress has been affected by factionalism and fragmented leadership within its State units.
The bipolar nature of the electoral battle is unlikely to change this time around. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which is contesting 67 out of 68 seats after an emphatic win in neighbouring Punjab earlier this year, hardly seems to have found a foot on the ground among Himachal Pradesh’s voters. - Vikas Vasudeva
CM Jairam Thakur casts vote in Mandi
Chief Minister Jairam Thakur and his family cast their votes in Seraj Assembly constituency at polling station 44 in Mandi on Saturday. “Confident of a grand win. Feedback is great. Most importantly, people are casting their votes peacefully,” he said.
CM Jairam Thakur urges voters to turn out in big numbers
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jairam Thakur on Saturday urged voters to come out in big numbers and enthusiastically participate in the “festival of democracy”. He said every vote will help build a prosperous Himachal Pradesh.
“First vote, then refreshments. Dear fellow state residents, today is the day of voting. My humble request to all voters of Himachal Pradesh is to participate in this festival of democracy with full enthusiasm,” he said in a tweet in Hindi.
AAP could play ‘spoiler’
With the AAP throwing its hat into the electoral ring, the divide among voters is bound to increase and the AAP could play the ‘spoilsport’ for the two parties in seats, where there are close contests between the traditional heavyweights.
The party is seeking ‘a chance’ from voters in Himachal Pradesh against the traditional parties to let it replicate the Delhi and Punjab model of governance, where it’s in power. After its win in the Assembly elections in Punjab, the AAP stepped up the tempo of its electioneering in April this year. However, close to the election, AAP’s prominent leaders were seen channelizing their energy more in poll-bound Gujarat and it was the local leadership that largely canvassed for the party in the State. - Vikas Vasudeva
Amit Shah appeals to women, youth to vote in maximum numbers
As polling for the Assembly elections begins in Himachal Pradesh on Saturday to elect a new government, Union Home Minister Amit Shah appealed to voters especially mothers, sisters and youth to vote in maximum numbers.
Nearly 30,000 security personnel deployed
About 30,000 security personnel including 67 companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and over 11,500 state police personnel will be deployed for peaceful conduct of polling in Himachal Pradesh on Saturday.
Poll campaigning ended on November 10
With Himachal Pradesh going to the polls on November 12, the State’s high-pitched election campaign came to a halt on Thursday. Traveling around the State amid the political slug-fest gave a sense that there is a palpable narrative about bringing in a change, making it a close battle for the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to retain its government.
Himachal Pradesh has been a bipolar electoral arena for the last three decades, with the Congress and the BJP alternately forming the governments, and the contest remains between these two traditional rivals this year as well.
Make new voting record: PM Modi to Himachal voters
Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged Himachal Pradesh voters on Saturday to enthusiastically participate in the “festival of democracy” and register a voting record.
In a tweet, PM Modi also greeted the young voters who will be exercising their franchise for the first time.
Only 24 women candidates in fray
Out of the 412 candidates in the electoral fray, 24 are female, while 388 are male. A total of 55.93 lakh voters are on the electoral rolls of the State and will cast their ballot in 7,881 polling stations, according to official data.
BJP eyes history, Congress tradition in high-stakes polls
In the high-stakes battle for Himachal Pradesh, the ruling BJP is trying hard to defend its turf, and the Congress has emerged as the main challenger, even as the newcomer the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is also trying its luck in the electoral battle.
