SHIMLA, June 1: The election campaign for four assembly seats and Mandi Lok Sabha constituency came to an end this evening as a total of 11 lakh voters are expected to exercise their franchise on June 3 next.State Chief Electoral Officer Parminder Mathur told ENS that all arrangements for free and fair elections have been made.Polling parties have also started leaving for their destinations with the election materials and few of these would be travelling a distance of 30 to 35 kms on foot to reach the polling booths.
Mathur said because of bad weather in Lahaul-Spiti, the movement of polling parties was advanced and all had left yesterday instead of today.More than 8,800 officials would be on poll duty while 4,900 police personnel, including some guards have been deployed. The Centre had also sent five companies of para military forces, one of which would be posted in Pragpur. The counting of votes would start on June 6 after mixing of ballots.
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
