Record polling, up 6% from 2014

SHIMLA: The efforts of the Election Department to encourage people to exercise their right to franchise seems to have borne fruit with Himachal registering its highest-ever polling of 70.40 per cent in the parliamentary elections in which 45 candidate are trying their luck from the four Lok Sabha seats.

CM Jai Ram Thakur and his family members show their inked fingers during the last phase of LS poll in Mandi. Photo: Jai Kumar

Pratibha Chauhan

Tribune News Service

Shimla, May 19

The efforts of the Election Department to encourage people to exercise their right to franchise seems to have borne fruit with Himachal registering its highest-ever polling of 70.40 per cent in the parliamentary elections in which 45 candidate are trying their luck from the four Lok Sabha seats.

Even as the exact polling percentage is being compiled, the Election Department said that a total of 68 per cent people cast their vote in today’s polling. The polling at 7,723 polling booths was smooth and peaceful as no incident of violence or clash was reported from anywhere in the state which has a total electorate of 53,30,154, including 27,24,111 men, 26,05,996 women and 47 belonging to the third gender.

The polling percentage in the 1998 parliamentary polls was the highest at 65.32 per cent. In the last Lok Sabha polls in 2014, the poll percentage was 64.45 with 38 candidates in the fray. The polling percentage in the 2009 parliamentary polls was 58.43 per cent with total number of candidates being 31.

With clear skies and bright sunshine, polling was brisk right from the morning as there was enthusiasm among the voters and long queues could be seen, especially in the rural areas. All senior leaders ensured that they cast their vote in the booth.

While Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur and his family cast their vote at Seraj in Mandi, Rajya Sabha MP Anand Sharma at Longwood here, former CMs Virbhadra Singh at Rampur, Shanta Kumar at Palampur and PK Dhumal at Samirpur in Hamirpur, Sukh Ram in Mandi Sadar, state BJP president Satpal Singh Satti at Tabba in Una and state Congress president Kuldeep Rathore at Madhavani in Kumarsain.

The highest voter turnout of over 81.47 per cent has been reported from Seraj, the Assembly segment of Chief Minister. The lowest polling percentage of 59.58 was reported from Lahaul Spiti in district. In Shimla district, the highest percentage polling of 71.59 and 69.93 was reported from Rampur and Theog, respectively.

A total of 36 of the 49 voters enrolled themselves in the highest polling station Tashigang village at a height of 15,256 ft in Lahaul Spiti district cast their votes. Another major highlight on the polling day was the provision of facilities like ramp, wheel chair and water at large number of polling stations. The webcasting, which was faulty last time, went off satisfactorily. A large number of 999 persons above the age of 100 also came out to cast their vote. Another feature was that 136 polling booths (two in each assembly segment) were managed by only women polling staff and 10 by differently abled persons. Manual counting of votes in each segment will be done.

QUOTES

"The massive voter turnout is a clear indication that the BJP will again win all four Lok Sabha seats in the state. The enthusiasm, shown by the voter, is a reflection on the able governance, provided by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Centre, and the development agenda of our 15-month old government in the state." — Jai Ram Thakur

"It is owing to the hard work of party workers that the BJP will not only win all four seats, but also register an imposing victory, with a bigger margin than last time. On the other hand, the Congress remained fragmented, pursuing personal agenda being the main objective." — Satpal Singh Satti

"The huge voter turnout only reiterates the voter’s faith in democracy. I am confident that the highly aware electorate of Himachal will vote for a secular and democratic party like the Congress which does not believe in divisive and communal politics." — Virbhadra Singh

"The Congress will do well as party workers put up a spirited and united fight against the BJP, which is responsible for lowering the political narrative in the state as never before. The people have voted for a secular government, where every citizen feels secure and part of nation-building, rather than divisive politics."— Kuldeep Rathore

"The Congress fought unitedly to give a befitting reply to BJP’s communal politics and its policies to divide people along castes, religions and regions which the electorate will reject. The Congress will do well in the polls."— Mukesh Agnihotri

Rs 15-lakh relief for those who died on duty

Shimla: The state government will provide an ex gratia of Rs 15 lakh each to the families of three persons, who died while being on election duty for the Lok Sabha elections in the state.Those who died on the election duty are Vineet Kumar of Sapri in Kinnaur district, Devi Singh of Arki in Solan district and Lot Ram of Manali in Kullu. Officials said while two died due to cardiac arrest, one died in an accident. In his condolence messages to the bereaved families, Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur said the state government was with the family members of the deceased in this hour of distress. An ex gratia of Rs 15 lakh each has been announced to the next in the kin of the deceased persons.

Highest, lowest polling %age

The highest voter turnout of over 81.47 per cent has been reported from Seraj, the Assembly segment of Chief Minister.
The lowest polling percentage of 61.79 was reported from Lahaul-Spiti in district.
As many as 999 persons above the age of 100 cast their vote.