Bureau
Shimla: An estimated 65 per cent turnout was recorded till 5 pm on Saturday as polling was held for Himachal Pradesh Assembly elections.
The figure likely to increase as reports still pouring in. The polling that began at 8 am ended at 5 pm. Despite the biting cold and snow in several parts of the state, the polling percentage in the hill state touched 55 per cent by 3 pm, indicating that Himachal could surpass the 2017 percentage of 75.57.
Even though there was bright sun and clear skies across the state, polling in districts like Kinnaur, Lahaul Spiti, Bharmour and higher reaches of Chamba and Shimla districts was sluggish in the morning hours. However, there was brisk polling after noon as the average for the Sate touched 55 per cent by 3 pm.
The polling was peaceful and smooth as so far not a single incident of poll related violence has been reported from across the state. The initial polling trends indicated that the polling would be highest in districts like Sirmour, Solan and Shimla where polling had crossed 60 per cent in most assembly constituencies.