Himachal Pradesh Election Live: 65.92% Voter Turnout Recorded Till 5 PM
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Himachal Pradesh Assembly Election 2022 Live Updates: A voter turnout of 65.92 percent was recorded till 5 pm in the Himachal Pradesh Assembly elections, polling for which is underway on Saturday, 12 November.
The highest voter turnout has been recorded in Mandi district, home to Chief Minister Jairam Thakur. In addition to the CM, BJP President JP Nadda, Himachal Pradesh Congress chief Pratibha Singh, and Union Minister Anurag Thakur are among those who have cast their votes in the poll so far.
The state is hosting a bipolar electoral battle between the incumbent Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress, with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) also entering the fray for the first time.
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jairam Thakur and his family members show their fingers marked with indelible ink after casting their vote in the Assembly elections, at a polling station in Mandi district.
Voters being welcomed as they arrive to cast their votes for the Himachal Pradesh Assembly elections, at a polling station in Lahaul & Spiti district.
BJP candidate from Shimla Urban Sanjay Sood shows his ink marked finger after casting his vote at a polling station for the Himachal Pradesh Assembly elections, in Shimla.
A voter at a polling booth as voting begins for the Himachal Pradesh Assembly elections, in Shimla.
Voters wait in a queue to cast their votes for the Himachal Pradesh Assembly elections, at a polling station near Palampur.
An elderly voter being assisted as she arrives at a polling station to cast her vote for the Himachal Pradesh Assembly elections.
Union Minister Anurag Thakur and former Chief Minister Professor Prem Kumar Dhumal cast their votes along with family at Samirpur in Hamirpur district.
BJP National President JP Nadda shows his finger marked with indelible ink after casting his vote for Himachal Pradesh Assembly elections, in Bilaspur district.
Voting in the polls began at 8 am and will end at 5 pm on Saturday.
Seraj, Haroli, Mandi, Shimla Rural, and Hamirpur are among the key seats going to polls.
BJP's sitting CM Jairam Thakur is contesting from Seraj, where the Congress has fielded former Milkfed chairperson Chet Ram Thakur.
The results of the elections will be declared following the counting of votes on 8 December.
There are 68 constituencies in the hill state, so a party will need to secure 35 seats in order to ensure majority.
The BJP had won majority with 44 seats in the 2017 Assembly election in the state, while the Congress had garnered 21 seats.
65.92% Voter Turnout Recorded Till 5 PM
A voter turnout of 65.92 percent was recorded in the Himachal Pradesh polls till 5 pm.
Districtwise Polling Figures
Districtwise, the highest polling percentage was recorded in the Lahaul and Spiti district, at 62.75 percent, followed by Sirmour (60.38 percent) and Mandi (58.9 percent).
Voting Ends
Voting in the Himachal Pradesh election has come to an end. The final voter turnout is expected to be announced shortly.
70% Polling Recorded In Seraj
The highest polling recorded till 3 pm was in Seraj (70 percent), and the lowest in Bhoranj (45 percent).
55% Turnout Till 3 PM
A voter turnout of 55 percent was recorded in the Himachal Pradesh Assembly elections till 3 pm.
'Jairam Thakur to Remain CM Face': BJP Chief Nadda
BJP chief JP Nadda said that the current CM of Himachal Pradesh, Jairam Thakur, would remain the CM face of the party.
"We definitely are in a comfortable majority. The election has been contested under the leadership of Jairam Thakur and he will continue (to be the CM face)," Nadda was quoted as saying by ANI.
Why India’s First Voter Shyam Saran Negi Will Be Missed in Himachal Polls
Last week, the Election Commission laid out a red carpet for Mr Negi when he cast his postal ballot ahead of the 12 November elections. It was the first time Mr Negi had not attended a polling booth, opting to post his ballot instead, due to ill health. A few days later, he breathed his last.
Mr Negi had been voting in general as well as state elections since 1951. According to official records, he was born on 1 July 1917 in Kalpa, Himachal Pradesh and later, worked as a government school teacher in the village.
To know more, read Why India’s First Voter Shyam Saran Negi Will Be Missed in Himachal Polls.
Mandi Has Highest Voter Turnout of 41.17% by 1 pm, Lahaul & Spiti Lowest
Voter turnout in Himachal Pradesh increased to 37.19 percent by 1 pm in Himachal Pradesh, where the chilly weather possibly led to lower turnout earlier in the morning. The highest turnout was recorded in Mandi, the home district of CM Thakur, EC data shows.
Bilaspur: 34.05%
Chamba: 28.35%
Hamirpur: 35.86%
Kangra: 35.50%
Kinnaur: 35.00%
Kullu: 40.33%
Lahaul & Spiti: 21.95%
Mandi: 41.17%
Shimla: 37.30%
Sirmour: 41.89%
Solan: 37.90%
Una: 39.93%
Voters Wade Through Snow To Reach Polling Booth
Voters wade through snow in Bharmour as they make way to their nearest polling station to cast their votes for the Himachal Pradesh Assembly elections.
(Photo: PTI)
'We Are in Comfortable Majority': BJP Chief Nadda
"We definitely are in comfortable majority. Election has been contested under the leadership of Jairam Thakur and he will continue," BJP National President JP Nadda said.
The party chief has cast his vote earlier in the day.
'ECI a Branch of BJP': Mehbooba Mufti
"Election Commission of India has now become a branch of the BJP. It stays silent, like when BJP campaigned on the basis of religious propaganda in Himachal Pradesh. ECI is no longer independent like it used to be. ECI conducts election on BJP's signals," PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti was quoted as saying by ANI.
103-Year-Old Himachal Man Casts Vote
A 103-year-old citizen of Himachal Pradesh, Sardar Pyar Singh, cast his vote in the election.
"157 polling stations across the state are such that are being managed solely by women staff," Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar told the media.
'Vote for Your Children, Better Future of Himachal': Kejriwal's Appeal
"Appeal to the people of Himachal Pradesh. Do go to vote, do vote for your children and better future of Himachal," AAP Convenor Arvind Kejriwal tweeted in Hindi.
17.98% Voter Turnout Till 11 am, Highest in Mandi
A low 17.98 percent voter turnout was recorded in Himachal Pradesh till 11 am, as per the EC. The highest turnout was recorded in Mandi, the home district of CM Thakur.
Bilaspur: 13.84%
Chamba: 12.07%
Hamirpur: 19.40%
Kangra: 16,49%
Kinnaur: 20.00%
Kullu: 14.54%
Lahaul & Spiti: 5%
Mandi: 21.92%
Shimla: 17.73%
Sirmour: 21.66%
Solan: 20.28%
Una: 19.92%
BJP President JP Nadda Casts Vote in Bilaspur
BJP chief JP Nadda and his wife Mallika Nadda cast their votes at a polling station in Vijaypur, Bilaspur.
"With the kind of atmosphere I'm seeing since morning, I think people have zeal and that zeal is over something right. I request people to cast vote in large numbers," the saffron party president was quoted as saying.
Himachal Will Vote for OPS, Employment': Rahul Gandhi
"Himachal will vote for OPS, Himachal will vote for employment and Himachal will vote for 'Har Ghar Lakshmi'," Rahul Gandhi said in a tweet in Hindi.
"Come, vote in large numbers, and make your valuable contribution to the progress and prosperous future of Himachal," the former Congress chief said.
Congress MP Anand Sharma Casts Vote, Says 'BJP Won't Succeed'
Congress MP Anand Sharma cast his vote in the Himachal Pradesh Assembly elections at the Sainik Rest House Longwood polling station in Shimla.
"There's mood for change. Vast sections of society suffered especially government employees, youth despondent because of unemployment, women and young people who'll serve after Agnipath... We'll have strong majority, they won't succeed," he was quoted as saying.
Former Union Minister Anand Sharma shows his inked finger after casting his vote for the Himachal Pradesh Assembly elections, at Longwood booth in Shimla.
(Photo: PTI)
Low Voter Turnout Till 9 am, Highest in CM's District
A low 5.02 percent voter turnout was recorded in Himachal Pradesh till 9 am, as per the EC. The highest turnout was recorded in Mandi, the home district of CM Thakur.
Bilaspur: 3.11%
Chamba: 2.64%
Hamirpur: 5.61%
Kangra: 5.38%
Kinnaur: 2.50%
Kullu: 3.74%
Lahaul & Spiti: 1.56%
Mandi: 6.24%
Shimla: 4.78%
Sirmour: 6.26%
Solan: 4.90%
Una: 5.47%
In Photos: Voting Underway Across Himachal Pradesh
Voters being welcomed as they arrive to cast their votes for the Himachal Pradesh Assembly elections, at a polling station in Lahaul and Spiti district.
(Photo: PTI)
Voters wait in a queue to cast their votes for the Himachal Pradesh Assembly elections, at a polling station in Dharamshala district.
(Photo: PTI)
Anurag Thakur, Father Prem Kumar Dhumal Cast Votes
Former Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal and his son, Union Minister Anurag Thakur, cast their votes at Samirpur, Hamirpur.
'Cong Makes False Promises, Public Knows Their Real Face': Anurag Thakur
"Vote first, then other work. People of devbhoomi Himachal are going to vote today for the golden future of the state. Only a corruption-free government with good governance will take Himachal forward on the path of progress. Be a big part of the celebration of democracy, inspire others, choose right," Union Minister Anurag Thakur, BJP MP from Hamirpur, said in a tweet.
"Congress has a habit of making false promises and the public knows their real face," he told media.
Visuals From the World's Highest Polling Station in Himachal's Lahaul & Spiti
The EC has shared visuals from the world’s highest polling station at 15,256 feet in Tashigang (Lahaul and Spiti). The booth has 52 registered voters, and is set to retain its record of 100 percent voter turnout in the election.
'Confident of Winning 40-45 Seats': Congress Chief
Himachal Pradesh Congress chief Pratibha Singh and her son, party MLA Vikramaditya Singh, cast their votes in Rampur the ongoing elections.
"We'd like to tell people of Himachal Pradesh to vote for development and work. Congress always worked for development and in the time to come only Congress can take that work forward in the state. We're confident of winning 40-45 seats," Pratibha Singh was quoted as saying by ANI.
Himachal Pradesh Election Isn't About PM Modi or Jai Ram Thakur But JP Nadda
More than any other political leader, the Himachal Pradesh Assembly elections are a prestige battle for Bharatiya Janata Party national president Jagat Prakash Nadda. The entire BJP campaign in the state bears Nadda's imprint - be it in terms of tickets or election strategy, the showcasing of Nadda loyalist Jai Ram Thakur's leadership not to mention a large number of rallies by the BJP president.
To understand more, read Himachal Pradesh Election Isn't About PM Modi or Jai Ram Thakur But JP Nadda.
'BJP Lost Semi Final in Bypoll, This Is the Final': Congress MLA
Congress MLA Vikramaditya Singh said that this year's election is about taking the state forward, and alleged that the incumbent BJP government suppressed voices of certain sections of the society.
"In the recent bypoll in the state, the government faced defeat. That was semi final, this is the final. They will lose these elections too. Congress will form government with majority," he added, ANI reported.
Himachal CM Jairam Thakur Casts Vote, Says 'Feedback Is Great'
Himachal Pradesh CM Jairam Thakur cast his vote at polling station 44 in the the Seraj constituency.
"I'm confident that we'll have a grand win. Feedback is great. Most importantly, people are casting their votes peacefully," he was quoted as saying by ANI.
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jairam Thakur shows his finger marked with indelible ink after casting his vote for Himachal Pradesh Assembly elections, at a polling station in Mandi district.
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jairam Thakur offers prayers at a temple before leaving to cast his vote for the Himachal Pradesh Assembly elections, in Mandi district.
'Voters of Himachal Will Make New Record, Set New Custom': CM Jairam Thakur
"Hearty greetings to the honourable prime minister. There is a lot of enthusiasm among the voters of devbhoomi Himachal for voting. It is certain that as per your call, voters of the state are going to make a new record and a new custom by voting enthusiastically this time. Warm greetings to you!" incumbent Himachal Pradesh CM Jairam Thakur said on Twitter, resharing PM Modi's tweet urging voters to participate in polling.
55 Lakh Voters Eligible, Highest Voting Booth at 15,000 Ft
A total of 412 candidates are contesting the Himachal Pradesh Assembly elections this year.
A total of 28.5 lakh male voters, 27 lakh women voters and 38 voters belonging to the third gender are eligible to cast their preference
The Election Commission has set up 7,881 polling stations in Himachal Pradesh
The highest booth is in Tashigang in Kaza in Lahaul-Spiti district, at a height of 15,256 feet.
About 30,000 security personnel including 67 companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and over 11,500 state police personnel have been deployed in the state
How Does Caste Affect Politics in the Hill State?
The politics in Himachal Pradesh has always been dominated by Rajputs and Brahmins as the upper caste population is the highest in the state. According to the 2011 Census, around 51 percent of the population of the state comprises of upper castes, of which 33 percent are Rajput and 18 percent are Brahmin.
This data can be used to understand why five out of six chief ministers in Himachal Pradesh have been Rajputs.
To understand more, read Himachal Pradesh Election: How Does Caste Affect Politics in the Hill State?
'People Excited, Will Cooperate To Form New Govt': Himachal Congress Chief
"All people of Himachal Pradesh are very excited. Everyone will cast their vote today and cooperate to form a new government in the state," Himachal Pradesh Congress chief Pratibha Singh was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.
Voting Begins
Voting for the crucial Himachal Pradesh Assembly elections began at 8 am on Saturday.
'Urge Voters To Participate With Full Enthusiasm': PM Modi
"Today is the polling day for all the Assembly seats in Himachal Pradesh. I request all the voters of the devbhoomi to participate with full enthusiasm in this festival of democracy and create a new record of voting. My special wishes to all the youth of the state who will vote for the first time on this occasion," Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote in a tweet in Hindi.
Key Seats & Candidates
Here are a few important seats and candidates to watch out for in the Himachal Pradesh Assembly election:
Seraj – Jairam Thakur (BJP)
Nadaun – Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu (Congress)
Haroli – Mukesh Agnihotri (Congress)
Shimla Rural – Vikramaditya Singh (Congress)
Shahpur – Sarveen Chaudhary (BJP)
Kasumpti – Anirudh Singh (Congress)
Kasauli – Rajiv Saizal (BJP)
Mandi - Pratibha Singh (Congress)
Himachal Is Small but Complex, Elections Aren't Easy To Predict
With just 68 Assembly seats, Himachal Pradesh is a small but complex state and elections here aren't easy to predict.
Most seats have under 90,000 voters and some, like Lahaul and Spiti, have less than 30,000. Lesser voters means narrower margins. A few thousand votes could change equations in a seat, rebel candidates polling even a few hundred votes could make the difference between winning and losing for the bigger parties.
To understand more, read Himachal Pradesh Election: Data Says Advantage BJP But There Are a Few X-Factors.
Himachal Pradesh Election: Voting To Begin Soon
Voting in the Himachal Pradesh Assembly election is scheduled to begin at 8 am on Saturday.
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