Himachal Pradesh to cross 75% polling record

With the vote turnout of 75%till Thursday, Himachal Pradesh could potentially break its highest polling record.

The Election Commission officials havesaid that it is highly likely that the final count could cross the 75%mark.

The votingbegan on Thursday at almost 500 polling stations which were open till late evening, encouraging every individual to cast their vote.

In the previous polls held in 2012, the total count came to 73.5%, Deputy Election Commissioner Sandeep Saxena said. In the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, it was 64.45%.

Polling for all 68 constituencies in Himachal Pradesh commenced at 8 am on Thursday.

Over37,000 poll officials, 17,770 policemen, home-guards and 65 companies of the paramilitary have been deployed in the state for election duty, the Election Commission said on Wednesday.

The highest polling percentage was reported around 82% in Sirmour, while lowest 69.5% inHamirpur.

The poll results will be announced on December 18.