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
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
All 68 Assembly constituencies in Himachal Pradesh will vote in a single phase on November 12 to elect the next government in the State.
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 in 68 constituencies across the State.
There are only 24 women candidates in the fray this time, against 19 in 2017 and 34 in the 2012 Assembly polls.
The voting is scheduled from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and the Election Commission has set up a total of 7,884 polling stations, including three auxiliary polling stations in far flung areas.
Mandi, 9.16 a.m.
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.
Himachal Pradesh, 9.05 a.m.
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.
Himachal Pradesh, 8.56 a.m.
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
Himachal Pradesh, 8:21 a.m.
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.
Himachal Pradesh, 8:12 a.m.
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.
Himachal Pradesh, 8:10 a.m.
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.
Himachal Pradesh, 8:07 a.m.
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.
Himachal Pradesh, 7:56 a.m
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.
Himachal Pradesh, 7:45 a.m.
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.
