Women turned out in strength in rural areas despite cold climatic conditions in the morning, said poll officials.
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Nearly 18 per cent of over 55 lakh voters in Himachal Pradesh turned out on Saturday in the first three hours to elect 68 members of the BJP-ruled Assembly in the single phase polling, officials said.
Women turned out in strength in rural areas despite cold climatic conditions in the morning, said poll officials.
Only 4 per cent voting was recorded in first hour of polling. There were minor hiccups as electronic voting machines developed snags at some places.
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According to the Election Commission of India (ECI), Mandi recorded the highest voter turnout at 21.92 per cent while Lahaul and Spiti recorded the lowest voter turnout at 5 per cent. A voter turnout was 13.84 per cent in Bilaspur, in Chamba it was at 12.07 per cent, Hamirpur recorded 19.40 per cent, Kangra recorded 15.49 per cent, Kinnaur was at 20 per cent, in Kullu 14.54 per cent people turned out, Mandi at 21.92 per cent, in Shimla it was at 17.73 per cent, Sirmour recorded 21.66 per cent, Solan at 20.28 per cent and Una recorded 19.92 per cent turnout.
While Sirmaur witnessed 6.26 per cent voter turnout, Lahaul recorded just 1.56 per cent.
Notably, there are 55,92,828 electors who can cast their votes till 5 pm today will decide the fate of 412 candidates who are in the fray.
Out of the total number of electorates, 27,37,845 are women, 28,54,945 men and 38 third-gender. This time, the representation of woman candidates is 24. Of the total voters, 193,106 are first-time voters in the age of 18-19 years. There are 121,409 voters above 80 years, while 56,501 voters with disabilities.
About 30,000 security personnel, including 67 companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and over 11,500 state police personnel have been deployed for peaceful conduct of polling.
In the 2017 Assembly polls, the BJP had won 44 seats, the Congress 21, the CPM one and Independents two. The voter turnout in the 2017 poll was 75.57 per cent.
The counting of votes for Saturday election will be held on December 8.
(With Inputs From Agencies)
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