Himachal Pradesh, Nov 12: On Saturday, Himachal Pradesh voted for the crucial assembly elections to elect the next government of the hill state. More than 5 million voters were eligible to decide the fate of various political parties, which fielded 412 candidates for 68 assembly constituencies in the single-phase polls.
The voting began at 8am, and was held at 7,884 polling stations spread across Himachal Pradesh. Of these, 7,235 stations are in rural regions while 646 are in urban pockets of the northern state. Additionally, as many as three auxiliary polling stations were set up in far flung areas of the hill state by the Election Commission of India (ECI).
The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is aiming to retain power in the hill state, and break the tradition of alternative governments noticed since 1982. The Congress is relying on its ‘10 guarantees’ that it has promised in its poll manifesto. These include revival of old pension scheme, the state’s women receiving a monthly compensation of ₹1,500, free electricity up to 300 units, free medical treatment in every village through mobile clinics and employment opportunities for 5 lakh youth, among others.
Arvind Kejriwal-headed Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is also in the race, striving to make inroads into Himachal Pradesh. The BJP had whitewashed the 2017 elections, winning 44 of the 68 seats while Congress managed to bag only 21. The counting of votes and declaration of results will take place on December 8.
