Polling higher in Sarkaghat, Sundernagar
MANDI: An estimated 50.23 per cent of 9,67,961 voters exercised their franchise in the Mandi parliamentary constituency where polling concluded peacefully.

120-year-old casts ballot
SOLAN, Sept 25 — Mrs Chakki Devi, reported to be 120 years old, of Bhatian village in Nalagarh was carried to the polling booth by her great grandson to cast her vote.

Polling higher in Sarkaghat, Sundernagar
From Our Correspondent

MANDI: An estimated 50.23 per cent of 9,67,961 voters exercised their franchise in the Mandi parliamentary constituency where polling concluded peacefully.

No untoward incident was reported from any part of the second largest constituency of the country, claimed Mr Prabodh Saxena, Returning Officer.

Polling started at a dull note but picked up as the day progressed. By noon 40 per cent votes had cast their votes. By the close of polling a little over 50 per cent voters had exercised fanchise.

Mr Karim Baksh,116-year-old resident of Dugrain village in the Nachan Vidhan Sabha segment, was helped to the polling booth to cast his vote. Similarly, Hirdu Ram (96) exercised his franchise at Kangar polling station in Karsog.

In Sarkaghat and Sundernagar subdivisions, the polling rate was reported higher as compared with other parts.

6 octogenarians, 12 blind cast votes in Hamirpur
From Our Correspondent

HAMIRPUR, Sept 25 — Six octogenarians and 12 blind persons cast votes at various polling stations in Hamirpur district. There was moderate polling in most of the polling stations except those in Bamsan Assembly segment represented by Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal.

A team of Hamirpur-based reporters visited at least 24 polling stations spread over five Assembly segments and found that there was rush of voters in the morning. However, rush slowed down as the day passed.

Prof Prem Kumar Dhumal, the Chief Minister, was the first to cast his vote at Samirpur polling station. Accompanied by his wife, Sheela, and other members of the family, Prof Dhumal visited the temple of Maan Awahdevi before casting his vote.

Mrs Parvati Devi (102) came with her grandson to cast her vote at Mundkhar polling station. Mrs Janki Devi also cast her vote at the same polling station. Both women exercised their right to franchise on their own.

Mr Lal Chand (105) and Parvati Devi (102) cast their votes with the help of their respective spouses at Jolsappaer polling stations.

120-year-old casts ballot
From Our Correspondent

SOLAN, Sept 25 — Mrs Chakki Devi, reported to be 120 years old, of Bhatian village in Nalagarh was carried to the polling booth by her great grandson to cast her vote. The second oldest person to vote today was Mr Masooli Ram of Kalsa village of the Doon Assembly segment. He was reportedly 115 years old. The third -oldest voter, Ms Mathro Devi (105), cast her vote in the Saproon both, near here. A 23-year-old disabled person, Roshan Lal, came on his hands at the polling booth at Atta Brauri in Arki.

The DCC, in a press note issued here, alleged that its polling agent at the Chambaghat booth had caught three "bogus" voters. They further alleged that two senior district officers who went to that booth, did not let a formal complaint be lodged.

A former MP, Mr K.D. Sultanpuri, has taken strong exception to the "display of Himachal Vikas Congress posters" inside the polling booth at Sultanpur in Kasauli.