Counting of ballots for Himachal by-elections begins

Shimla, Nov 2 (IANS) Counting of ballots for the by-elections to the Mandi parliamentary constituency and the three Assembly seats of Fatehpur, Jubbal-Kotkhai and Arki in Himachal Pradesh began on Tuesday amidst tight security, Chief Electoral Officer C. Palrasu said.

The results are expected by noon.

Palrasu said 11 counting observers have been deployed for the Mandi parliamentary constituency, and three for each Assembly constituency.

Besides, one micro observer has also been deployed at each counting table.

He said 57.73 per cent voters exercised their franchise in the Mandi Lok Sabha constituency during the elections on October 30.

The voting percentage in the Fatehpur constituency in Kangra district was 66.20 per cent, while it was 64.97 per cent in Arki in Solan district, and 78.75 per cent in Jubbal-Kotkhai in Shimla district.