Himachal Election Voting: 18% Turnout Till 11 AM. BJP President JP Nadda, Union Minister Anurag Thakur Vote

Himachal Election Voting: Voters across Himachal Pradesh are stepping out to elect a new state government. Know voter turnout and other details.

New Delhi: Himachal Pradesh on Saturday witnessed an 18 per cent voter turnout till 11 AM, as per the approximate trends shared by the Election Commission of India (ECI).

Till 9 AM, the turnout was reported to be 5.02 per cent as polling in the hill state began at 8 AM earlier today.

BJP national president JP Nadda, Former Himachal Pradesh CM Prem Kumar Dhumal, and his son, Union Minister Anurag Thakur cast their votes for Himachal Pradesh Election. 

"We're contesting under the leadership of CM Jairam Thakur. Himachal Govt did good work under his leadership for 5 years. So, we're confident that the people will bless us once again so that the double-engine govt comes back": Union Minister Anurag Thakur said after casting his vote, as quoted by news agency ANI.

BJP chief JP Nadda said, "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."

Congress MP Anand Sharma also cast his vote at Sainik Rest House Longwood, Shimla polling station and stated, "There's a mood for change. Vast sections of society suffered especially government employees. Youth despondent because of unemployment, women & young people who will serve after Agnipath," he said.

When asked about the poaching of Congress MLAs, he said, "We'll have a strong majority, they won't succeed", ANI reported.

In a tweet earlier, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said that Himachal Pradesh will vote for the party's poll guarantees including Old Pension Scheme, employment, and 'Har Ghar Laxmi' scheme.

"Himachal to vote for OPS, Himachal will vote for employment, Himachal to vote for 'Har Ghar Laxmi'. Let's vote in large numbers, and make our significant contribution to Himachal's progress and happy future," he tweeted.

Casting her vote, Himachal Pradesh Congress chief Pratibha Singh said that the grand old party is confident of winning 40-45 seats.

"We'd like to tell people of Himachal Pradesh to vote for development & work. Congress always worked for development & in the time to come only Congress can take that work forward in the state. We're confident of winning 40-45 seats," news agency ANI quoted her as saying.

Meanwhile, AAP national convener and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal urged Himachal electors to "Vote for your children and for a better future of Himachal".

Voting Across 68 Constituencies

Voting for the crucial Himachal Pradesh elections began on Saturday at 8 am on a slow note after officials conducted a mock poll at all booths to check EVMs.

More than 55 lakh voters in the hill state will decide the fate of 412 candidates in 68 assembly constituencies. 24 women candidates are in the fray this time.

Of the total voters, 28,54,945 are male, and 27,37,845 female voters in the state. There are 38 third gender voters. 

Himachal Pradesh's Chief Electoral Officer Maneesh Garg said all arrangements are in place for the polling.

"All 7,884 polling parties have reached the polling stations and set up the polling booths. They are accompanied by security forces. Nearly 50,000 polling staff and around 25,000 security staff have been deployed," he told news agency PTI.

The voting is scheduled from 8 am to 5 pm and the Election Commission has 7,884 polling stations, including three auxiliary voting stations in far-flung areas. Of these, 789 are vulnerable booths, and 397 are critical ones.

The 2017 assembly election saw a record 75.57 per cent polling.

 It is a crucial test for the BJP hoping to beat precedent and return to power as well as for the Congress looking for electoral revival.

(With Agency Inputs)