New Delhi (November 9) (ABP LIVE): Polling in the high stake Himachal Pradesh Assembly election began on Thursday at 8:00 am and the fate 337 candidates will be decided by 5:00 when the voting will end.

The highly fueled campaign for Himachal Pradesh Assembly elections marked by bitter exchanges between the two contenders for power--the state's ruling Congress and main opposition BJP--ended on Tuesday.

Interesting facts about Himachal Pradesh Assembly election 2017

  • A total of 50,25,941 voters are eligible to cast their vote

  • 7,525 polling booths have been set up in the state

  • 37,605 polling personnel have been deputed for poll duty

  • 17,850 personnel of police and Home Guards and 65 companies of central paramilitary force have been deployed

  • Ruling Congress led by the chief minister and the BJP led with former chief minister Dhumal are contesting on all 68 seats

  • BSP is contesting on 42 seats

  • CPI(M) 14, Swabhiman Party and Lok Gathbandhan Party six each and the CPI-3

  • The 12-days high-voltage campaign saw over 450 rallies by star campaigners of the BJP and the Congress

  • There is straight contest only in one constituency (Jhanduta)

  • The maximum number of 12 candidates is in fray in Dharamsala

  • BJP has fielded four Congressmen including former minister Anil Sharma

  • BJP has also given ticket to on Independent from Chopal

  • Congress had fielded two independents from Paonta Sahib and Kangra

  • Both CM Virbhadra Singh and Dhumal have shifted their constituencies and are contesting from Arki and Sujanpur, respectively.