Himachal polls: Record 75 per cent come out to vote

Himachal Pradesh on Sunday registered a very heavy turnout of voters — over 75 per cent polling, exceeding the previous two elections of 2007 and 2003 which had recorded 71.61 per cent and 74.51 per cent polling, respectively.

Polling across 68 Assembly constituencies was peaceful with no major untoward incident reported from anywhere.

Districts like Sirmaur (81 per cent), Solan (80 per cent) and Kullu (78 per cent) recorded very high polling. "In Doon constituency the turnout was 86.97 per cent," said Meira Mohanty, Deputy Commissioner of Solan. At Nahan, which is the district headquarters, polling was more than 85 per cent. Shimla, which normally witnesses a low turnout, recoded 59 per cent polling, exceeding the earlier record of 52 per cent in 2007.

State's Chief Electoral Officer Narinder Chauhan said, "Polling started at a sluggish note, but soon picked up with some constituencies in Shimla, Solan, Kullu and Sirmaur districts registering a 60 per cent turnout by 3 pm. Thereafter, polling picked up with 75 per cent polling reported so far."

There are 459 candidates, including 34 women, in the fray. Prominent contestants are Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal, five-time CM Virbhadra Singh, leader of opposition Vidya Stokes and Himachal Lokhit Party leader Maheshwar Singh. A record number of 105 rebels are contesting the polls. "There were no poll related violence. Minor incidents happened in Mandi and Sirmaur prior to the polling," said DGP I D Bhandari.

Contesting from Hamirpur (Sadar), Dhumal, who cast his vote at Samirpur in Boranj constituency, said the BJP was confident of forming the next government. "Mission report 2012 will be accomplished," he said.

Virbhadra flew to Rampur to cast his vote alongwith son Vikaramaditya. Virbhadra is contesting from Shimla (Rural). But Virbhadra and his son are not voters in Shimla (Rural). "There is an anti-incumbency factor playing against the BJP. A heavy turnout of voters shows anger and frustration against the BJP. We will get a comfortable majority," he said at Rampur.

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