Himachal Pradesh Polls: 37.19% Turnout Recorded Till 1 PM

Himachal Pradesh on Saturday witnessed 37.19% per cent voter turnout till 1 PM.

As the polling for the Himachal Pradesh Assembly elections is currently underway, the hill state on Saturday witnessed 37.19% percent voter turnout till 1 PM, as per the approximate trends shared by the Election Commission of India (ECI). Till 11 AM, the turnout was reported to be 18 percent as polling began at 8 AM earlier today.

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

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".