AMN/ SHIMLA
All 68 assembly constituencies of Himachal Pradesh going to polls today in a single phase. All arrangements are in place for free and fair polling.
Himachal will be the first state to use EVMs with VVPAT machines at all booths. Briefing media in Shimla this evening, State Chief Electoral Officer Pushpendra Rajput said, more than 50 lakh eligible voters will exercise their franchise in the polls.
He said, the polling parties have reached their polling stations. He said, EVMs and VVPATs are fully safe and secure. Mr Rajput appealed the voters not to pay any heed to rumours on EVMs and VVPATs.
The CEO said, Central Armed Police Forces have been deployed in the critical and vulnerable polling stations and also in the polling booths which are located in the borders.
Single phase polling in the hill state will begin tomorrow at 8 in the morning and will continue upto 5 in the evening. Elaborate arrangements have been made for ensuring free and fair polls at 7,525 polling booths.
There will be web-casting of 2,307 polling stations for live monitoring of polling activities Election Commission of India. Apart from State Police and Home Guards, 65 companies of central paramilitary force have also been deployed.
While BJP and Congress are locking horns in all 68 seats, BSP is contesting in 42 seats, CPI (M) in 14 and CPI in 3 seats.
While there is a straight contest between 2 candidates in Jhanduta constituency and maximum 12 candidates are in fray in Dharamsala. 19 women are contesting polls this time.