Shimla, Oct 30
Himachal Pradesh recorded 57 pet cent poling till 1700 hrs for Mandi Parliamentary and three Assemblies stated the Election Commission of India.
He said that from 0800 to 1700hrs polling percentage was around 57 pc as Mandi Lok Sabha( which comprises of 17 Assembly Constituencies) recorded 49.88 pc, Fatehpur Assembly of Kangra district 62.40 pc, Arki in Solan 61.33 pc and Jubbal Kotkhai Assembly 66.10 pc
He said that Polling began at 0800 hrs and continued till 1800hrs.
Indian First voters Shyam Saran Negi cast his vote at Polling station Kalpa. Returning officer and DC Kinnuar Apoorva Devgan said that 104-year-old Shyam Saran Negi, the first voter of independent India, cast his vote at the Kalpa-51 polling station at 1312hrs.
He was escorted by Election Commission in a special vehicle and falicitated on arriving on the polling stations by deputy commissioner Kinnaur Apoorva Devgan by offering white clothe to him.
He was given red carpet welcome by the Election Commission of India after declaring him first voters of India as he participated in all general and Assembly Election since 1952 onwards as per the record of ECI.
Chief electoral officer C Palrasu said that Polling beginning with slow note in the peaceful, pleasent Weather under law and order without any major snag in the EVMs.
At 15265 feet above the sea level Tashigang in Kaza subdivision under Mandi Parliamentary is world highest Polling station where 47 total voters took part in the polling and after achieving 100 per cent polling voters dance outside world highest polling stations.
Chief minister Jai Ram Thakur said his family members casted their vote for Mandi Parliamentary segment at polling stations no 36 at Senior secondary school Bharari at Murag in Serraj at his home Assembly constituency.
The polling to decide the fate of 18 candidate are being held in the 20 assembly constituency which are being termed as semifinals by the pollstters as state have total 68 Assembly segments.
