By: HimVani
Himachal Pradesh witnessed highest polling in the state history as Election Commission of India recorded 75% turnout when polling ended at 1700 hours for State Assembly today. The polling began at 0800 hours this morning with slow note. The counting of vote will be held on December 20, 2012.
State Chief Electoral Officer Narinder Chauhan said 75 per cent poll was registered till 1700 hours today when polling came to end for all the 68 assembly segment in the state today as the voters sealed the fate of 459 candidates in EVMs. The polling percentage was highest in Sirmour district at approximately 81.48 %. Nalagarh Constituency recorded the highest polling percentage with 94.80% and the lowest polling percentage of 58.77 % was reported from Shimla Urban Assembly Constituency.
109 year old, Mrs Aladee at the polling station at Raani Taal, Nahan
Polling count in various districts of Himachal was:
- Chamba: 75.25% ,
- Kangra: 72.68 %
- Lahaul & Spiti: 68%
- Kullu: 78.74%
- Mandi: 76.95%
- Hamirpur: 70.33%
- Una: 75%
- Bilaspur: 73%
- Solan: 80.34%
- Sirmour: 81.48%
- Shimla: 69.85%
- Kinnaur: 74.28%
Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal and his son & MP Anurag Thakur exercised their franchise in the family’s native village Samirpur in Bhoranj assembly segment. Former Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh cast his vote at his native place Rampur but his wife Pratibha Singh exercised her franchise at Jakhu polling station. Union Commerce Minister Anand Sharma exercised his right to franchise at Kelston. BJP vice-president Shanta Kumar cast his vote at Palampur.
Polling was largely peacefully except some sporadic incidents and minor snags in the EVM but state registered heavy poll in rural areas where woman come out for poll in large number. Additional State Chief Electoral officer PL Negi, who was monitoring the poll said that no report of any violence and untoward incidents were reported anywhere in all the 68 segments except sporadic incidents of altercations between the political adversaries.
“Workers belonging to two political parties had minor clash at Chauntra Mohala in Chamba assembly segment which was averted after the intervention of security and paramilitary personals.” Sources said. Mr. Negi said that five EVMs developed minor sang during the operation which was resorted out. He said that four EVMs in Kangra district and one at Sirmour district reported developed snagged but it did not hamper the polling.
State Election Commission had set up 7,253 polling stations in the state. Nonagenarian Shyam Saran, the oldest voter, cast his vote at Kalpa. He was among the first to vote after Independence in the 1951 election.
Oldest woman of 109 years today exercised her franchise in the Himachal Pradesh assembly elections. Ms. Alladee, 109 year old woman in Nahan area cast her vote at booth number 46 Rani Taal Nahan.
