The State Government has declared 23rd June, 2013 as a gazetted holiday in Mandi Lok Sabha Constituency on account of bye-election to enable the employees working in all government offices/ boards /corporations/educational institutions and industrial establishments situated in Himachal Pradesh to exercise their right to franchise. This would be paid holiday to daily wage employees and also within the meaning of Section 25 of Negotiable Instrument Act, 1881.
State Govt spokesperson clarified that special casual leave may be given to those employees who were working in different places in the State but have right to vote in other constituencies/places in the State on the production of certificate of concerned Presiding Officer that the employee had actually cast his/her vote.
As per Election commission data, Mandi Parliamentary Constituency has 11,24,770 voters out which 5,66,946 are male and 5,46,140 are female voters, while 11684 are service voters. Election commission has set up 1921 polling stations to ensure smoothing polling in this bye-election.
Mandi Lok Sabha constituency presently comprises 17 Vidhan Sabha (legislative assembly) segments of six districts of state. It comprised nine assembly segments of Mandi districts, four of Kullu, one of Shimla, Kinnaur, Chamba and Lahaul-Spiti districts.
Indian National Congress has fielded Pratibha Singh, former MP and wife of Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh, whereas BJP has fielded senior party leader and former cabinet minister Jai Ram Thakur in the fray. Both contenders along with party leaders are canvassing vigorously into the tough terrain of Mandi Parliamentary constituency, which is spread from tough tribal region of Bharmour, Lahaul-Spiti and Kinnaur to Kullu, Mandi and Rampur of Shimla district. All big and marginal leaders of both parties are working hard to woo electorates in their party candidates favor.
