Lahaul And Spiti
Saturday marked the seventh and final phase of voting for the Lok Sabha elections. Tashigang, the world’s highest polling booth, witnessed a remarkable turnout, with 49 votes cast by 3 pm. Voters in Spiti Valley showed great enthusiasm, especially for the Mandi parliamentary seat and the Lahaul-Spiti assembly by-election.
The Tashigang polling station, located at an altitude of 15,256 feet, saw a 79 percent turnout, with 28 male and 11 female voters participating. The Election Commission of India and the Chief Electoral Officer of Himachal Pradesh celebrated the occasion, highlighting the spirit of democracy.
Kunjok Tenzin, 18, expressed his excitement about voting for the first time at Tashigang. He remarked on the privilege of voting at the highest polling station in the country. Local authorities also commended the local arrangements made for voting.
Special provisions were made for children at Tashigang, with toys, toffees, and chocolates provided. Traditional lunches were served to voters, with locals contributing to food arrangements for polling personnel and security.
The voter turnout in Himachal Pradesh until 5 pm stood at 66.56 percent, with significant implications for the state’s political landscape. After voting concludes, exit polls will be broadcasted, though the Election Commission has imposed a ban until the end of polling on June 1.
