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Himachal Pradesh gears up for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, scheduled for June 1, with the announcement of key dates and details by State Chief Electoral Officer Manish Garg.

Candidates are allowed to file their nomination papers until May 14, following which the nominations will be sorted on May 15. Withdrawal of candidate names can be done until May 17. The counting of votes will take place on June 4. The state is preparing for voting across 7990 polling stations, with a notable increase in first-time voters, totaling 1,38,918.

Voter List and preparations

The final voter list has been published, comprising 56,38,422 voters. Among them, there are over 28,79,000 male voters, 27,59,187 female voters, and 35 third-gender voters. Service voters are also included in this count. Notably, the voter count has seen a rise compared to the previous Lok Sabha and assembly elections.

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Chief Electoral Officer Manish Garg has announced the implementation of the Model Code of Conduct in the state. Preparations for the elections, including the allocation of polling stations, have been completed. Out of the total polling stations, 425 have been identified as critical. Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and Voter Verified Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) machines will be used at all polling stations.

Special arrangements

Special provisions have been made for polling stations operated solely by disabled and youth polling staff, numbering 29 and 54 respectively. The Chief Electoral Officer emphasized that with the Model Code of Conduct in effect, no financial sanctions or promises can be made by ministers or authorities. This includes abstaining from announcing new plans, schemes, or appointments, and refraining from promising infrastructure facilities like road construction and drinking water facilities.

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In summary, Himachal Pradesh is set for the Lok Sabha elections with stringent measures in place to ensure fair and transparent electoral processes, including increased voter participation and adherence to the Model Code of Conduct.