Shimla, June 8
Moderate to heavy turnout was reported from the three tribal Assembly segments, which went to the polls today.
According to reports reaching here 65 to 70 per cent (47 per cent according to UNI) of the 1,18,282 voters exercised their franchise in the Kinnaur, Lahaul-Spiti and Bharmour constituencies. The polling was peaceful and no untoward incident was reported.
The polling started on a sluggish note but picked up momentum as the day progressed. More than 50 per cent of the electorate had cast vote by 2.00 pm. The polling was over 80 per cent in some pockets of Spiti and Kinnaur. In Bharmour, about 65 per cent votes were polled whereas in Kinnaur it almost touched 70 per cent. In Lahaul-Spiti, the percentage of polling was higher in the Spiti region than Lahaul. The overall percentage in the constituency was likely to be around 68 per cent.
Women voters turned out in strength in all three constituencies. Dressed in the colourful traditional tribal costumes, they came out in groups to exercise their democratic rights.
There are 17 candidates in the fray. The maximum number of eight candidates are contesting from the Lahaul-Spiti segment. There are five candidates in Bharmour and four in Kinnaur. The BJP, the Congress and the HVC are contesting all three seats, while the CPI has fielded a candidate in Kinnaur.
Electronic voting machines (EVMs) were used for polling for the first time in the tribal areas. The counting of votes will take place on June 11 at Rekong Peo in Kinnaur, Killar and Bharmpour in Bharmour, Keylong in Lahaul and Kaza in Spiti. All results are likely to be declared by the afternoon.
