Himachal Election Voting HIGHLIGHTS: Voting Concludes. EVMs, VVPATs Sealed And Secured In Dharamshala, Shimla
Himachal Election 2022 Voting HIGHLIGHTS: Follow this page for all the latest updates and news from the Himachal Pradesh election.
While polling was still underway, Mahesh Pathania, Jt Director Media Office of CEO said voter turnout could be around 74% by the end. Elections were peaceful in all the segments. The polling parties were well prepared. 100% polling was reported in Tashigang, reported ANI.
Himachal Pradesh recorded 65.92 per cent polling till 5 pm, says Election Commission.
Voting in Himachal Pradesh Assembly elections concludes. EVMs and VVPATs being sealed and secured at polling booths in Dharamshala and Shimla.
51 out of 52 voters voted in the world's highest polling station booth in Tashigang, Himachal Pradesh. Around 98.08% voter turnout recorded.
Massive turnout of women in Dhanderwadi, the remotest village of Shimla: DEO Shimla
First time voters share their experience of visiting Polling Station and casting their votes at Tikkar Polling Booth, Kasumpti.
"Festival of democracy is worth watching," CEC Rajiv Kumar says.
Approximate voter turnout till 1 PM as updated in ECI's Voter turnout app.
"We definitely are in comfortable majority. The election has been contested under the leadership of Jairam Thakur and he will continue (to be the CM face)": BJP national president JP Nadda told ANI.
BJP chief JP Nadda on Rahul Gandhi not campaigning for Himachal Election, "They're careerist leaders, realised that they'll gain nothing in HP & Guj. Once they feel they're winning or can win, they'll all come here for credit. They know they won't gain anything. So they won't be seen", ANI reported.
Voters on their way to polling station Chasak Bhatori in Pangi tehsil of Chamba district, the farthest one in the state.
"It will definitely change. People have made up their minds to change the tradition because the development in the last 5 yrs can be seen on the ground. So, there's an atmosphere of joy & people want the Govt repeated: BJP chief JP Nadda on the alternating party trend, as quoted by ANI.
"I salute 1.2 lakh voters in the state who are above 80 yrs of age. Drawing inspiration from them, youth gets the opportunity to go ahead. We pay tribute to late Shyam Saran Negi, it will be a fitting tribute to him to cast votes in large numbers," Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar said, as quoted by ANI.
"There are 56,000 PwD (Persons with Disabilities) voters in Himachal. We have made a lot of arrangements for them. 37 polling stations are being managed solely by PwD staff. This is a tool of their employment which we wanted to display," Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar said, as quoted by ANI.
157 polling stations across the state are such that are being managed solely by women staff. In Hamirpur district, a crèche facility has also been made available so that those who come with children don't have to face any issues: CEC Rajiv Kumar said, as quoted by ANI.
Naro Devi, a 105-year-old voter cast her vote in the Churah Assembly constituency for the Assembly Polls 2022; visuals from polling station 122
"An honour to meet and felicitate Sardar Pyar Singh, 103 year old on International Day of elderly persons. Here, he is seen casting his vote with his same indomitable spirit and zeal, said CEO HP, Sh Maneesh Garg.
Approximate voter turnout till 11 AM as updated in ECI's Voter turnout app.
"Vote for your children and for a better future of Himachal," tweets AAP national convener and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.
Elderly Voters being facilitated at Polling stations, ECI shares visuals.
"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 ANI.
BJP chief JP Nadda & 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," he said, as quoted by ANI.
BJP President JP Nadda reaches poll booth to vote.
Congress MP Anand Sharma cast his vote for Himachal Pradesh Election at Sainik Rest House Longwood, Shimla polling station.
"There's mood for change. Vast sections of society suffered especially Govt employees. Youth despondent because of unemployment, women & young people who'll serve after Agnipath," he said, as per ANI. "We'll have a strong majority, they won't succeed," he added when asked about poaching of Congress MLAs.
"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," Rahul Gandhi tweeted.
Former Himachal Pradesh CM Prem Kumar Dhumal, his son & Union Minister Anurag Thakur, and their family cast their votes for Himachal Pradesh Elections.
"Our govt formed yet again in Uttarakhand, UP, Manipur & Goa, it will happen this time in HP & Gujarat, as well... Congress has a habit of making false promises & the public knows their real face," Anurag Thakur, Union Minister & BJP MP from Hamirpur said, as quoted by ANI.
"We would like to request the people to take Himachal forward and cast their votes in public interest, in the interest of Himachal Pradesh - to make it the best state in the country": Congress MLA Vikramaditya Singh said after voting, as quoted by ANI.
"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": Himachal Pradesh Congress chief Pratibha Singh, as quoted by ANI.
Himachal Pradesh Congress chief Pratibha Singh and her son & party MLA Vikramaditya Singh cast their votes in Shimla
Voter turnout till 9 AM as updated in ECI's Voter turnout app.
Himachal Pradesh Minister & BJP MLA from Shimla Suresh Bhardwaj cast his vote in Shimla. "BJP will form its govt once again as per the morning trend. People casting votes in large numbers," he said, as quoted by ANI
Himachal Pradesh Congress chief Pratibha Singh and her son & party MLA Vikramaditya Singh offer prayers at Shani Mandir in Shimla before voting
"Confident of a grand win. Feedback is great. Most importantly, people are casting their votes peacefully," CM Jairam Thakur said.
"The election is being contested to take the state forward & change its condition. This isn't just about Congress leaders & workers but about the future of the state. Current govt suppressed & overlooked voices of all sections of society," Congress MLA Vikramaditya Singh said, as quoted by ANI.
"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.
"There is excitement. We are happy and relaxed. Mandi has always supported (CM Jairam Thakur). People must have seen the development that happened and they will definitely vote for BJP": Chandrika Thakur, daughter of CM Jairam Thakur said, as quoted by ANI
Voted for development, says a first-time voter in Nadaun constituency
"Dear Himachalis, You all understand the situation well in your state. In view of the circumstances, perform the duty of voting carefully. Make your important contribution towards changing the circumstances and weaving the future of Himachal. Jai Hind. Jai Himachal," Priyanka Gandhi tweeted.
Voting is underway in Dharamshala & Shimla
"As far as voters are concerned, majority of them see who has worked & who has to be brought forward": Himachal Congress chief Pratibha Singh said when asked if she thinks there is anti-incumbency in the state, ANI reported.
"Only a strong and corruption-free government can fulfill the aspirations of the people of Devbhoomi by keeping Himachal Pradesh at the forefront of development. I appeal to all the voters of Himachal, especially mothers, sisters, and youth, to vote in maximum numbers for the golden tomorrow and elect a strong government," Amit Shah tweeted.
Himachal Pradesh | People cast their votes for the Assembly election across the state; visuals from polling booth number 12, Dharamshala, and Samirpur, Hamirpur.
Himachal Pradesh CM Jairam Thakur, his wife Sadhana Thakur & daughters Chandrika Thakur & Priyanka Thakur, offer prayers in Mandi, ahead of casting their votes for the state election.
"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 told ANI.
"I am happy that the campaign was completed in a good atmosphere. The people of Himachal cooperated. I thank the people of Himachal for this. I urge all voters to cast their vote today so that we can further strengthen democracy": Himachal CM Jairam Thakur told ANI.
"I'm confident that people want to repeat this govt. I have started receiving greeting wishes this morning. I received PM Modi's message a while ago, he gave me his blessings & best wishes," he added.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi requests voters across the state of Himachal Pradesh to participate in the Assembly polls today.
"Today is the polling day for all assembly seats in Himachal Pradesh. I request all the voters of 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 are voting for the first time on this occasion," he wrote.
Preparations begin for polling for the Himachal Pradesh state elections, visuals from a booth in Seraj
Mock polling process for polling for the Himachal Pradesh state elections underway; visuals from a booth in Hamirpur
Background
Himachal Election Voting HIGHLIGHTS: Follow ABP Live's blog to get the latest developments, news and latest updates from the Himachal Pradesh election.
Will BJP buck the trend of Himachal Pradesh not repeating any government since its formation in 1971 or will Congress wrest control of the state under its new chief Mallikarjun Kharge? The decision will be sealed on Saturday as more than 55 lakh voters exercise their franchise in 68 constituencies across the state.
In the 2017 Assembly election, the BJP won 44 seats and Congress 21. BJP secured 48.79 per cent of the vote share, whereas Congress won 41.46 per cent.
Even though the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has campaigned aggressively in Himachal, the contest in the state is being seen as a direct one between the BJP and the Congress in line with past trends.
READ | Himachal Election: It's Advantage BJP But Congress Can't Be Ruled Out, Finds ABP-CVoter Survey
While BJP has asked voters to change the "riwaaz" by re-electing BJP as the "double engine" regime would benefit the state, Congress is banking on anti-incumbency and has raised issues of price rise, unemployment and old pension scheme.
As per the latest ABP-CVoter survey, Himachal may see a hung assembly, with BJP getting between 31 to 39 seats and Congress between 29 to 37. In Himachal Pradesh, 35 is the majority mark.
The BJP has promised implementation of Uniform Civil Code, eight lakh jobs in the state, 33 per cent reservation for women in government jobs and educational institutions.
Congress has promised to revive the old pension scheme and give 1 lakh government jobs. To woo women, who form 48 per cent of the electorate, Congress has promised Rs 1,500 per month to each of them aged between 18 and 60. It has also promised 300 units of free electricity.
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