Other States - Himachal Pradesh   

Bad weather may hit polling booths

SHIMLA: The Election Commission said on Thursday that as many as 576 polling stations in the hill State going for polls in the second phase on December 19 can be affected by an early snowfall this year.

Addressing a Press conference here, Chief Election Commissioner N. Gopalaswami said all arrangements have been made to remove snow and helicopter services would be made available in case of emergency in these booths. Shimla district has the largest number of (245) such booths followed by 127 in Mandi, 89 in Sirmaur, 83 in Chamba, 28 in Kullu and 8 in Kangra.

The Election Commission team also met various political parties here and agreed to some of their proposals like addition of more identity proofs to enable voters to cast their votes.

All officers have been directed to conduct not only a peaceful but a free and fair poll in the State, said the Chief Election Commissioner. The Commission has reiterated its warning on the registration of same voters in two places and said those who had done so would be prosecuted soon.

Mr. Gopalaswami informed that there were 838 voters above 100 years of age in Himachal and waiting to cast their votes. There are 8005 voters in the age group of 90 to 100 years in the State. Majority of such voters are in Ghumarwin constituency of Bilaspur, he said. About 20 companies of CRPF have been deployed in the State and the controversy on places to hold rallies are to be decided as per the High Court directions, said the Chief Election Commissioner.

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Bad weather may hit polling booths

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