Chief Electoral Officer Narinder Chauhan said that the by-poll in Kinnaur assembly segment of Mandi Parliamentary Constituency has approximately registered 54 percent polling and the voting concluded peacefully as per reports reaching at State Headquarters. No untoward incident had been reported except at Shalkhar polling booth due to disturbance of peace. He said that the weather remained partially cloudy and the people came out to vote enthusiastically.
He said that there were total 52,345 voters in Kinnaur assembly segment. Shyam Saran, 97, who exercised his franchise at Kalpa polling booth, was the first post independent voter of India.
The polling was rather sluggish in the morning and as per the reports reaching headquarters by 10.00 AM, the polling percentage was reported as 11 % which gained momentum after 12 noon. The voters turn out by 12 noon was 20 % and the consolidated percentage was around 30 % by then. Meanwhile, by 2 PM 33 % of voters turn out was reported with consolidate percentage turning out to be 41.13 % till 2.30 PM.
Earlier, as per the notification of Election Commission of India, the polling date for all 17 assembly constituencies of Mandi Parliamentary constituency was fixed for 23rd June 2013. However, the polling was postponed in Kinnaur constituency due to untimely snow and rain which derailed normal life out of gear.
Chauhan said that the alternative arrangements for decentralised counting of vote in Kinnaur segment had been made by the Commission in view of adverse weather conditions.
Chief Electoral Officer said that all polling parties along-with electoral voting machines were expected to reach at respective collection centres under tight security. The counting of votes will start at 8.00 AM on 30 June, 2013.
He thanked all the voters of Mandi parliamentary constituency for their co-operation in smooth conduct of polling process.
Earlier Poll in the other 16 constituencies of Mandi parliamentary was cunducted on 23rd June and 52 percent of electorates were turned up to cast their votes.
Update: Narinder Chauhan, Chief Electoral Officer revealed that as per direction of Election Commission of India, re-polling at Shalkhar polling station of Kinnaur assembly segment of Mandi Parliamentary Constituency would now be held on 29th June, 2013 between 8 AM to 4 PM. The polling at Shalkhar polling station was adjourned due to disturbance of peace on 27th June, 2013.
Update: (29 June) State Election Department said that re-polling in Shalkhar polling station of Kinnaur assembly segment of Mandi Parliamentary constituency bypoll concluded peacefully. Only 23 voters exercised their right to franchise.
