By election for Hamirpur ends peacefully

Smt. Manisha Nanda, Chief Electoral Officer, Himachal Pradesh informed that the poll for by-election of Lok Sabha from 4-Hamirpur Parliamentary Constituency had been concluded peacefully as per information received at 5.00 p.m. today adding that no untoward incident had been reported so far from any where in the constituency on the poll day.

Smt. Nanda conveying her sincere thanks to the peace loving people of this parliamentary constituency said that the by-election was conducted in a peaceful and disciplined atmosphere with massive participation of the electors. She said that the whole election machinery including district administration and police personnel rendered their sincere services in making the poll process successful.

She further stated that as per the report received from Deputy Commissioner (Hamirpur) cum Returning Officer 4-Hamirpur Parliamentary Constituency the poll percentage worked out to be approximately 52 per cent. She said that four contesting candidates were in the fray in this by poll and there were as many as 11,72,944 voters out of which 588149 are male whereas 584795 are female.

Smt. Nanda informed that all 1373 polling parties alongwith polled EVMs are expected to reach their respective collection centres on 22nd May, 2008 under tight security. She said that necessary arrangements had been made to keep polled EVMs in safe custody under tight security in the Strong Room till counting of the votes.

The Chief Electoral Officer further revealed that the counting of votes would start on 25th May, 2008 at 7.00 a.m. by the Returning Officer (DC Hamirpur), Assistant Returning Officers including DCs, ADMs, SDMs and Tehsildars at four places i.e. Hamirpur, Bilaspur, Una and Dehra under the strict supervision of Election Observers appointed by Election Commission of India. The contesting candidates would be permitted to post their agents to keep watch at the place where the polled EVMs were being stored till the counting, if they so desired, she added.