Himachal Pradesh assembly polls 2017: Voting ends, 74% voting till 5 pm; turnout likely to go up, says EC

ANI photo

SHIMLA: Polling was conducted in the hill state of Himachal Pradesh for 68 assembly seats under the watchful eyes of the Election Commission on Thursday. The two main political players - the ruling Congress and the main opposition party BJP- are locked in a do-or-die battle in all 68 constituencies across the state. According to the poll panel, the polling was by and large peaceful.  

Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh, 10 ministers, eight Chief Parliamentary secretaries, Deputy Speaker Jagat Singh Negi, former chief minister Prem Kumar Dhumal and over a dozen former ministers are among those who have thrown their hat in the ring.

Altogether 337 candidates including 62 MLAs are in the fray in the assembly elections this year whereas the voters will decide on their fate on December 18.

Here are the live updates: -

09 November 2017

19:30 IST

74% voting recorded till now in Himachal Pradesh, the final turnout is likely to go up, says the Election Commission.

74% voting recorded till now in #HimachalPradesh, likely to go up: Election Commission of India pic.twitter.com/SxUCu0R245

— ANI (@ANI) November 9, 2017

18:06 IST

-Polling ends in Himachal Pradesh; BJP, Congress confident of victory.

Polling time in #HimachalPradeshElections ends; visuals from a polling station in Mandi. pic.twitter.com/QZaSJiy3Bn

— ANI (@ANI) November 9, 2017