Himachal Pradesh Election 2022: A total of 1,21,409 voters are above the age of 80.
Will Himachal Pradesh give one more term to the BJP or to go by the four-decade tradition of voting out the ruling government and bring the opposition Congress or AAP to power in the hill state? The state went to polls today to answer this.
The voters will decide the fate of 412 candidates, including Chief Minister Jairam Thakur, former Chief Minister Virbhadhra Singh's son Vikramaditya Singh, in the elections in 68 constituencies across the state.
For the ruling BJP - which is hoping to retain power on the back of its development agenda - Prime Minister Narendra Modi has led the campaign from the front, wrapping up his campaign with a personal appeal to voters of the state, where he said every vote cast for the BJP symbol "lotus" will enhance his strength.The election is a matter for survival for the Congress, which has been on a downhill electorally since the last two election cycles.
Here are the Highlights on Himachal Pradesh Voting:
BJP Suspends 12 Rebels Fighting As IndependentsCracking the whip, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Gujarat on Tuesday suspended 12 party leaders, including 6-term MLA Madhu Shrivastav and two former legislators, for filing nominations as independent candidates for the upcoming Assembly elections after they were denied tickets.
"Everyone Knows": Arvind Kejriwal's 'Marriage' Taunt For Rivals In GujaratAam Aadmi Party leader Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday said Bhupendra Patel is a "puppet Chief Minister" of Gujarat who can not even appoint his peon.
Speaking at a campaign rally at Khambhalia in Devbhumi Dwarka district for AAP's chief ministerial candidate Isudan Gadhvi, he also alleged that there is secret collusion between the BJP and Congress.
AAP, Tribal Protests A New Challenge For BJP In GujaratThe challenge posed by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and agitations by local tribals against various government projects could queer the pitch for the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the south Gujarat region in the coming Assembly elections.
Himachal Pradesh records 65.92% turnout till 5 pm: Election Commission provisional dataHimachal Pradesh recorded a voter turnout of 65.92 per cent till 5 pm on Saturday, the Election Commission said, citing provisional polling figures for the state where the ruling BJP and the opposition Congress are locked in an aggressive fight.
Voting began at 8 am on a slow note but picked up as the day progressed and the sun warmed the winter chill. The assembly election is a crucial test for the BJP which is hoping to beat precedent and return to power while the Congress has urged voters to go by tradition of voting out the incumbent.
Only around five per cent polling was recorded in the first hour, while till 11 am, it was 19.98 per cent. It notched up to 37.19 per cent by 1 pm and 55.65 per cent till 3 pm.
Till 5 pm, a 65.92 per cent turnout was recorded, the Election Commission (EC) said.
Himachal Voting Ends. BJP Aims For Historic 2nd Term, Congress Eyes Comeback
Voting concluded for the 68 assembly seats in Himachal Pradesh at 5pm. Those inside polling stations will still be allowed to vote, and then the turnout be known. Turnout in 2017 was 74.6 per cent, highest in years. Results will be out on December 8.
Congress to have majority in Himachal, BJP won't succeed in poaching MLAs: Anand SharmaCongress leader Anand Sharma on Saturday said that the people of Himachal Pradesh were in a mood to change the government in the state by ruling out the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the state assembly election.
Lashing out at the ruling BJP party, Sharma said, "There's a mood for change. Vast sections of society suffered especially Government employees, youth despondent because of unemployment, women and young people who'll serve after Agnipath."
When asked if there can be poaching of Congress MLAs, Sarma said, "We will have a strong majority, they (BJP) won't succeed."
Mr Sharma cast his vote in Shimla's Longwood in the Assembly polls which are underway on Saturday.
Congress claims BJP circulating forged letter with motive to influence voting patternsHimachal Pradesh Congress Committee on Saturday claimed that Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is circulating a forged letter with motives to influence voting patterns in favour of its party in the State.
Notably, the polling for the Assembly elections in Himachal Pradesh is underway.
In a letter to Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar, Congress requested to file a complaint against the National and State Presidents of BJP.
"I am bringing to your kind notice that a letter is being circulated on various media platforms on the official letter pad of Rajiv Shukla ji, Hon'ble Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha) & former Minister to the Union of India (Incharge- Himachal Pradesh Congress Committee) with motives to influence voting patterns in favor of BJP Himachal Pradesh," the letter reads.
Himachal Election 2022: Jairam Thakur will continue to be CM face, says BJP chief Nadda
BJP President JP Nadda on Saturday said that the current Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh would be the face of the new CM of the state if the party wins the assembly election.While talking to ANI, he said, "We definitely are in a comfortable majority. The election has been contested under the leadership of Jairam Thakur and he will continue (to be the CM face)."
Himachal Assembly elections: 157 polling stations solely being managed by women staff
As many as 157 polling stations across the State are being managed solely by women staff. Addressing a press conference, CEC Rajiv Kumar said, "157 polling stations across the state are such that are being managed solely by women staff. In Hamirpur district, a creche facility has also been made available so that those who come with children don't have to face any issues."
He further said that there are 56,000 Persons with Disabilities(PwD) voters in Himachal
Himachal Election 2022: 37.19 voter turnout till 1 pm
Nearly 38 per cent of the eligiblevoters have cast vote till 1 pm so far. The voting started on a slow note with only around 5 per cent polling recorded in the first hour. Till 11 am, 19.98 percent polling was recorded.
Himachal Election: Congress will form government with majority, says party MLA
Congress MLA Vikramaditya Singh, the son of former Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh, cast his vote on Saturday along with his mother Pratibha Singh. He said that the Congress will win 40-45 seats in the election. "In the recent bypoll in the state, the Government faced defeat. That was semi-finals, this is the final now. They will lose these elections too. Congress will form a government here with majority," Congress MLA Vikramaditya Singh at Rampur in Himachal Pradesh's Shimla.
Himachal Election 2022: JP Nadda casts vote in Bilaspur
BJP President JP Nadda voted along with his wife at a polling station in Vijaypur, Bilaspur. "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," he said.
Himachal Election: Elderly Voters facilitated at Polling stations
The Election Commission has set up 7,884 polling stations, including three temporay voting stations in far flung areas. Elderly voters were also facilitated at the Polling stations.
Himachal Pradesh Election 2022: Lahaul-Spiti district has 92 polling stations, the lowestSituated at 15,256 feet, the polling station in Tashigang in Lahaul-Spiti is the world's highest polling and will cater to 52 voters. It has been made Model Polling station to make voting easy for senior citizens and disabled voters. Lahaul-Spiti district has 92 polling stations, the lowest in the state.
Chamba, a remote district of the state, has the maximum number of 1,459 voters. The 26-Chask Bhatori polling station of Bharmour AC is the remotest station in this district, where the polling party has to walk a distance of 14 km to reach.
Himachal Pradesh Election 2022: 17.98% voter turnout till 11 am
17.98% of the eligible voters have cast vote till 11 am in the assembly elections so far.
Congress MP Anand Sharma cast his vote at Sainik Rest House Longwood, Shimla polling station. (ANI)
Elections in Himachal Pradesh: Highest booth is in Tashigang, at a height of 15,256 feet
The Election Commission has set up 7,884 polling stations, including three auxiliary voting stations in far flung areas. Of these, 789 are vulnerable booths and 397 critical ones.
The highest booth is in Tashigang, Kaza in Spiti area of Lahaul Spiti district at a height of 15,256 feet. It will cater to 52 voters.
An all Women managed Polling station at Lalri. (Source: Election Commission)
Assembly Elections 2022: Himachal will vote for OPS, employment, says Rahul Gandhi
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday said the state will vote for the return of the old pension scheme and employment. "Come, vote in large numbers, and make your valuable contribution to the progress and prosperous future of Himachal," the former Congress chief said.
Former Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal, his son and Union Minister Anurag Thakur and their family cast their votes in Hamirpur.
Elections in Himachal Pradesh: 4.63% voter turnout till 9 am
Over four per cent of the eligible voters have cast vote till 9 am. Chief Minister Jairam Thakur and Himachal Congress chief Pratibha Singh are among the prominent leaders who have cast teir votesso far.
BJP candidate from Shimla Urban Sanjay Sood shows his ink marked finger after casting his vote at a polling station in Shimla. (PTI)
Elections in Himachal Pradesh: Chief Minister Jairam Thakur casts vote in Seraj
Chief Minister Jairam Thakur was among the early voters who exercised their franchise. "We are confident of a grand win. Feedback is great. Most importantly, people are casting their votes peacefully," he was qupted as saying by news agency ANI. Earlier this morning, Mr Thakur was seen visiting a temple with his family and offering prayers there.
People queue up at a polling station as voting began for the Himachal Pradesh Assembly elections in Kangra. (PTI)
Himachal Pradesh Elections 2022: Amit Shah appeals voters to elect strong government
Union Home Minister Amit Shah appealed to voters especially mothers, sisters and youth to vote in maximum numbers. Taking to Twitter, Mr Shah said, "Only a strong and corruption-free government can fulfill the aspirations of the people of Devbhoomi by keeping Himachal Pradesh at the forefront of development".
"I appeal to all the voters of Himachal, especially mothers, sisters and youth, to vote in maximum numbers and elect a strong government for the golden tomorrow of the state," Mr Shah said in a tweet in Hindi.
Himachal voters will help Congress form government: State Congress chief
Pratibha Singh, Himachal Pradesh Congress chief, said that she was confident that the Congress will come back to power in the state. "All people of Himachal Pradesh are very excited. Everyone will cast their vote today and cooperate to form a new government in the state," she said.
"I don't think there is anything like that. As far as voters are concerned, majority of them see who has worked & who has to be brought forward," Pratibha Singh told ANI.
Himachal Pradesh Elections 2022: Chief Minister Jairam Thakur offers prayers at a temple in Mandi
Chief Minister Jairam Thakur offers prayers at a temple in Mandi ahead of casting votes for the state poll.
Election voting: Over 55 lakh voters eligible to vote in Himachal Pradesh election
More than 55 lakh voters will vote the 68 assembly segments in Himachal Pradesh today. A total of 1,21,409 voters are above the age of 80, including 1,136 centenarians.
Himachal Pradesh Elections: BJP won 44 seats in 2017, Congress just 21
In 2017, BJP swept the Himachal polls, winning 44 of the total 68 seats while Congress managed to get just 21 seats.
Elections in Himachal Pradesh: 7,881 polling booth set up across Himachal
Over 7,800 polling booths have been set up across the state. The elections in Himachal Pradesh come ahead of nine state elections due next year, including the Hindi heartland states of Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh - the only states where the Congress has chief ministers - and Madhya Pradesh.
JUST IN: Voting begins for 68 assembly segments in Himachal Pradesh.
Himachal Pradesh Elections 2022: "Hope people give one more chance," says Himachal Chief Minister
Chief Minister Jairam Thakur told NDTV the BJP hopes to break the cycle of the same government not coming to power a second time in a row. "We hope the people give us one more chance. We have appealed to the people to change that custom (of not same government not getting re-elected). We have asked them to form a double-engine government," Mr Thakur said.
Elections in Himachal Pradesh: Preparations at polling booth in Seraj
Visual from a booth in Seraj, Himachal Pradesh.
Elections in Himachal Pradesh: PM Modi asks voters to "participate with full enthusiasm"
Minutes before polling, Prime Minister Narendra Modi made an appeal to voters to "participate with full enthusiasm in this festival of democracy and create a new record of voting". "Today is the polling day for all the assembly seats in Himachal Pradesh. I request all the voters of Devbhoomi to participate with full enthusiasm in this festival of democracy and create a new record of voting. My special wishes to all the youth of the state who voted for the first time on this occasion.
Himachal Pradesh Voting: 1,21,409 voters are above the age of 80
A total of 1,21,409 voters are above the age of 80, including 1,136 centenarians.
There are only 24 women candidates in the fray this time, against 19 in 2017 and 34 in the 2012 assembly polls.
Himachal Pradesh Elections 2022: Virbhadhra Singh's son is Congress candidate
The Congress, which says the election is about local issues, wishes the voters go by the four-decade tradition of voting out the incumbent. Beset with a leadership crisis ever since the death of veteran Virbhadra Singh, the party says it'll sail back to power as its seat-wise ticket allocation has been "much better than before". Virbhadhra Singh's wife Pratibha Singh is the state unit chief; son Vikramaditya Singh is among candidates.
A total of 1,21,409 voters are above the age of 80, including 1,136 centenarians.
Himachal Pradesh Elections: BJP hopes to retain power on the back of development
BJP - which is hoping to retain power on the back of its development agenda - Prime Minister Narendra Modi has led the campaign from the front, wrapping up his canvassing with a personal appeal to voters of the state, where he said every vote cast for the BJP symbol "lotus" will enhance his strength.