Exit polls conducted by various news agency platforms on Thursday, predicted a victory for the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Himachal Pradesh, giving it a clear majority in the 2017 Assembly elections in the state.
Himachal registered 74 per cent voter turnout in the single phase polling on November 9. The record turnout this year surpassed poll turnout of 74.51 per cent in 2003 elections.
The Congress is currently ruling the state with Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh at its helm.
A party has to win 34 seats or more to form a government in the state. The total voters in Himachal Pradesh are 50,25941 out of which 25,31321 are males and 24,57032 are females.
However, since 1982, the state has always witnessed over 70 per cent voter turnout, barring once in 1990 when it was 67.74 per cent, and change of guard since 1985.
The results for the Himachal Assembly elections will be declared along with Gujarat Assembly elections result on 18 December.
The ruling Congress-led by the chief minister Virbhadra Singh and the BJP-led with former chief minister Dhumal are contesting all 68 seats while the BSP is contesting 42 seats, followed by the CPI(M) 14, Swabhiman Party and Lok Gathbandhan Party six each and the CPI-3.
Here is the list of exit polls results according to news agencies:
India Today-Axis My India: Congress (13-20), BJP (47-55) Others (0-2)
Times Now: Congress (17) BJP (51)
News 24: Congress (13), BJP (55)
(With agency inputs)