Dharamsala records 65% polling

Lalit Mohan

Tribune News Service

Dharamsala, October 21

About 65 per cent polling was registered during the Dharamsala bypoll today.

The polling percentage was considerably less as compared to the parliamentary polls held in May this year when around 72 per cent voters exercised their franchise in the Dharamsala Assembly constituency. Under the “Modi wave”, BJP candidate Kishan Kapoor had secured 37,286 votes — 18,000 more than his nearest Congress rival Pawan Kajal in the Assembly constituency.

For the Dharamsala bypoll, the BJP had come up with “Abki baar, 20,000 ke paar” slogan during campaigning. However, the way voting has happened, it seems the claim is unlikely to be realised.

According to the polling percentage, nearly 52,000 voters exercised their franchise during the bypoll.

As per the data released by the Dharamsala Returning Officer-cum-SDM, 52,036 persons (25,742 males and 26,294 females) had cast vote from 8 am to 5 pm.

According to the reports gathered by The Tribune, rural areas recorded higher polling percentage, whereas the urban areas witnessed low-to-moderate polling. The polling was particularly heavy in the OBC-dominated rural areas where Independent candidate Rakesh Kumar is considered to be on strong footing.

Technical snags were reported in VVPAT machines at four polling stations. The voting was stopped for some time in the community hall area of Dharamsala. There were reports of technical snag in VVPAT machine in Nirwana area also. The technical snags were, however, rectified after some time and voting resumed.

Many people queued up outside polling stations early in the morning and many old people were also seen braving their physical challenges to reach the polling booths and exercise their franchise. The polling was slow in the afternoon and again picked up in the evening.

A few voters complained about low light near electronic voting machines in some polling stations. Kirpal Singh, a senior citizen, alleged that he could not see the party symbols clearly on the EVM due to dim light at the station. “I complained to the presiding officer, who then assisted me with the torch light on his mobile phone,” he said.

Kangra Deputy Commissioner Rakesh Prajapati exercised his franchise at Government Public School, Dharamsala, around 10 am, former Congress minister Sudhir Sharma in Rakkar area, while BJP MP Kishan Kapoor in Khaniara area.

BJP candidate Vishal Nehria cast his vote in Sidhbari area, while Congress candidate Vijay Inder Karan in Kotwali market area.

Total voters 81,074

52,036 Cast vote

Male 25,742

Female 26,294