Hot seat Mandi where Kangana locked in intense fight against Vikramaditya sees highest polling by 11 am

The Mandi Lok Sabha constituency in Himachal Pradesh, where Bollywood actor and BJP candidate Kangana Ranaut is locked in an intense fight against her Congress rival Vikramaditya Singh, recorded the highest polling of 33.02 per cent among the four parliamentary constituencies by 11 am on Saturday (June 1, 2024).

A cumulative turnout of 31.92 per cent was witnessed till 11 am in all the four Lok Sabha seats where elections are being held in the last lap of the seven-phase parliamentary polls that started on April 19.

The six Himachal Pradesh Assembly seats where byelections are being held simultaneously recorded a cumulative 27.53 per cent turnout by 11 am.

At 33.02 per cent, Mandi Lok Sabha seat recorded the highest turnout till 11 am, followed by 32.22 per cent in Shimla, 31.29 per cent in Kangra and 31.25 per cent in Hamirpur.

In the Assembly by-elections, Kutlehar was at the top with 31.90 per cent polling, followed by Lahaul-Spiti at 30.98 per cent, Gagret at 29 per cent, Dharamshala at 27.30 per cent, Sujanpur at 26.30 per cent and Barsar at 22 per cent.

Una district reported a 30 per cent turnout. Voters started queuing up at polling stations from as early as 6.30 am, with the official voting process commencing at 7 am. In Gagret Assembly constituency, technical issues delayed the start of voting by two hours, which led to the removal of the presiding officer and sector officer by District Election Officer Una, Jatin Lal, for negligence.

Despite the technical glitches, there was a robust turnout. Voters were seen enduring the scorching heat, with some polling stations lacking tents for shade. However, model polling booths were well-equipped with facilities for the elderly, sick and pregnant women. Young volunteers played a crucial role in maintaining order.