SHIMLA, June 3: Moderate to brisk polling was recorded in Himachal Pradesh today as the state went to the polls for four assembly constituencies and Mandi Lok Sabha constituency spreading through six districts, including snow-bound areas of the tribal belt.While three assembly segments viz Kinnaur, Lahual-Spiti and Bharmaur, encompassing the tribal belt, recorded over 65 per cent polling, the Pragpur assembly constituency of Kangra district exceeded 70 per cent polling. Braving the heat wave, the voters turned out in strength in Pragpur and long queues were seen at the polling booths.
In Mandi,the average polling percentage was slightly on the lower side as compared to the February assembly polls. Deputy Commissioner Mandi Pramod Saxena, who is also the returning officer, told ENS over phone that initial reports indicated that polling percentage had exceeded 55 per cent but since the polling parties had started reaching late, the exact percentage would be known later.
The polling percentage was unexpectedly low in Rampur assembly segment of Mandi Lok Sabha constituency, where Congress candidate Pratibha Singh had a very good hold. In fact, the electorates in the area holds former CM Virbhadra Singh in high esteem. The position was not very satisfactory for BJP stalwart and party candidate Maheshwar Singh, in his own home district of Kullu. The highest polling of 97 per cent, was recorded at Shilapur polling booth in Kinnaur district.
Reports reaching Shimla reveal that polling was peaceful and there was no no report of any untoward incident from any part of the state. Barring a complaint of kidnapping of a polling agent of the Congress in Pragpur and minor scuffles at certain polling booths in Mandi,things went off smoothly, said Chief Electoral Officer Parminder Mathur.
The polling started off slowly in the morning but picked up at 9 a.m.In snow-bound Lahual-Spiti it was 65 to 68 per cent polling with similar trend in Bharmaur. Hikkam, the highest polling booth (15,500 ft) in Lahual-Spiti, had a 80 per cent turn-out. Two blind voters, Bhagat Ram and Pamashree cast their votes in the constituency. The Mandi DC said that a 104-year old person came to the polling booth at Pangi.
More than 12 lakh voters exercised their franchise today. Counting of votes would start on June 6 and all results would be declared the same evening.
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
