Himachal Pradesh Polls: Counting on Dec 28
{image-HP
Polls_27122007.jpg
news.oneindia.in}
Shimla,
Dec
27:
Counting
of
votes
for
the
two-phased
Himachal
Pradesh
Assembly
elections
will
take
place
tomorrow.
The
results
will
decide
the
fate
of
contestants,
including
those
from
the
Bharatiya
Janata
Party
(BJP),
the
Congress,
the
Bahujan
Samaj
Party
(BSP)
and
the
Lok
Janshakti
Party
(LJP).
The
final
phase
of
polling
was
held
on
December
19.
Around
67
percent
of
electorate
exercised
their
franchise
in
the
65
constituencies.
In Kangra district, 65 per cent of electorate voted for 16 seats that are said to be crucial for both the Congress and the BJP. During 2003 Assembly polls, the Congress won 11 out of 16. Jubalkhote Assembly Constituency registered highest turnout of 72.88 percent and the lowest was recorded in the state capital (55.42 percent).
In Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh's Rohru constituency, about 65 per cent of voters cast their votes. Some of the major candidates who contested elections were Vijay Singh Mankotia and the BJP's chief ministerial candidate Prem Kumar Dhumal (Bamsan). The first phase of polling took place for the three seats of Bharmaur, Lahaul and Spiti and Kinnaur on November 14. Over 68 per cent polling was reported in this phase.
This time, the Congress and the BJP is facing tough competition from the BSP. Besides these three major parties, candidates include nominees from the LJP and one independent. Twelve candidates are in the fray in these three constituencies.
The term of the 68-member State Assembly is till March 9, 2008.
ANI
>