Himachal Pradesh, where the ruling BJP and the opposition Congress are locked in an aggressive direct fight, recorded a voter turnout of 55.65 per cent till 3 pm on Saturday, news agency PTI reported. The voting commenced on a tardy note and gradually picked up pace. The state recorded only five per cent voter turnout in the first hour. Till 1 pm, 37.19 per cent polling was recorded. The highest polling of 41.89 per cent was recorded in Sirmour district, followed by 41.17 percent in Mandi, the home district of Chief Minister Jairam Thakur. The high altitude district of Lahaul and Spiti recorded the lowest of 21.95 per cent while Chamba saw 28.35 per cent voting till 1 pm.
