Polling for the final and second phase of Himachal Pradesh Assembly elections has begun this morning, amidst tight security.
Shimla, Dec 19 : Polling for the final and second phase of Himachal Pradesh Assembly elections has begun this morning, amidst tight security.
The polling for 65 seats in 68-member State Assembly will decide the fate of 335 candidates, who are in the fray.
Some of the major candidates include Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh (Rohru), Vijay Singh Mankotia and the BJP's chief ministerial candidate Prem Kumar Dhumal (Bamsan).
More than 4.5 million people are expected to cast their votes at 5,934 polling booths. Out of total, 1,084 has been declared 'sensitive' and 621 has been declared 'hyper sensitive'.
While Banjar assembly seat is area-wise the largest assembly constituency in the state, Rainka (reserved for SC) assembly seat is the smallest.
Tepa polling station in Rajnagar (reserved for SC) seat in Chamba district is located at the maximum height of 12,000 feet while Nalti polling booth in Hamirpur constituency is located at the minimum height of 7000 feet.
Tight security arrangements have been made to ensure free and fair polls in the state.
Besides state police, 23 companies (about 2300 personnel) of central para-military force have been deployed to maintain law and order situation.
The state's borders with Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir, Haryana and Uttranchal have been sealed since December 10.
The voting will end at 5.00 p.m.
The first phase of election 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.
Counting of votes will take place on December 28 and results are expected by afternoon.
The term of the current State Assembly is till March 9, 2008.
ANI