Himachal Pradesh polls: At 75 per cent, state records its highest voter turnout

Expressing satisfaction over the peaceful polling, Virbhadra said, “Voter turnout was very encouraging. It looks like they have reposed faith in the Congress government and its policies despite the BJP’s massive propaganda and personalised campaign.” Dhumal, on the other hand, said the turnout showed that people were frustrated with the corrupt Congress government and mafia raj. “The BJP’s target of 50-plus will go to 60-plus. The Congress will not be able to win more than 10 seats,” he said.

The EC used VVPAT machines at 7,521 booths, including 983 polling stations that were declared vulnerable and 399 critical. There were also two all-women-manned polling stations in each constituency. The CEO said 52 EVMs and 79 VVPAT machines that developed snags were replaced by the poll staff. The EC’s Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation programme boosted turnout, officials said. Door-to-door distribution of voter slips by government officials was also seen as a factor driving voters to polling stations. Jubbal-Kotkhai constituency in Shimla district, which hit the headlines following the rape and murder of a schoolgirl, saw its highest polling at 82 per cent. Sirmaur district registered its highest turnout at 82 per cent.