Arrangements complete for polling in tribal areas tomorrow

Shimla, Nov 13 (UNI) All arrangements have been completed for polling in three tribal assembly constituencies of Kinnaur, Bharmaur and Lahaul and Spiti in Himachal Pradesh in the first phase tomorrow.

The fate of twelve candidates in the fray would be sealed in electronic voting machines (EVMs) by 1,27,785 voters which, include 65,883 male and 61,902 female voters.

State's Chief Electoral officer Manisha Nanda said 298 polling booths have been set up in the three tribal constituencies of which 53 has been declared hyper sensitive.

The Kaa polling station in Kinnaur constituency has a minimum number of 20 voters, while the highest polling station of Hikkim, situated at a height of 15,000 feet has 320 voters.

About 2,000 security personnel have been deployed for ensuring free and peaceful polls and polling parties have reached their respective destination along with election material.

The BJP, Congress and the BSP were contesting on all the seats, while lone Lok Jan Shakti Party (LJSP) candidate was in the fray from Kinnaur constituency, while two independents were in the fray in Bharmaur constituency.

The Himachal's state helicopter has been put at the disposal of the state's CEO from November 13 to 18 to be used in exigencies and ensure free and fair polls in the tribal constituencies.

The helicopter would only be utilised for election related purposes, an Election Commission release here.

It said November 14 has been declared as a gazetted holiday in Kinnuar, Lahaul Spiti and Bharmaur assembly constituencies to allow the electorate to cast their votes.

It would also be a paid holiday to daily waged employees also within the meaning of Section 25 of Negotiable Instrument Act 1881.

Special casual leave facilities would also be given to those employees who were working in different places in the state, but have the right to vote in other constituencies in the state on the production of certificate of the concerned presiding officer that the employee has actually caste his or her vote, the release added.

UNI