2nd and final phase of elections of 65 seats in HP is started

Polling for the second and final phase of elections to the crucial 65 seats in Himachal Pradesh Assembly will be conducted Wednesday.

In the first phase, voting for three tribal seats of Kinnaur, Bharmour and Lahual-Spiti was held on November 14.

A total of 44,77,254 electors, who are listed in 5934 polling stations across the state, will decide the fate of 324 candidates, Chief Electoral Officer, Manisha Nanda, said adding, 25 female candidates are also contesting this time.

Out of the total candidates, BJP has fielded 65 and Congress and BSP 64 each for the eleventh state assembly poll, she said.

Counting of votes will be held on December 28.
Among the 65 seats going to poll on Wednesday, Arki constituency in Solan district has the maximum of nine candidates. This constituency has hogged the limelight because of presence of

Congress nominee, Prakash Chand Karad, son of fa retired cook of 10 Janpath, who reportedly elbowed Deputy Speaker, Dharampal Thakur, to get party nomination.

Wednesday's balloting will decide the fate of Chief Minister, Virbhadra Singh, from his traditional Rohru seat. Other key leaders contesting are BJP nominee for CM's post Prem Kumar Dhumal (Bamsan), Vidya Stokes (Kumarsain), BSP's CM candidate Vijay Singh Mankotia (Dharamsala) and Raj Kishan Gaur (Kullu).

Courtesy:thehindu.com
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