839 centurions eligible to vote in Himachal

Dec 14, 2007, 11:25 GMT

Shimla, Dec 14 (IANS) More than 800 voters who are 100 years or older are eligible to cast their vote in the Himachal Pradesh assembly elections next week.

'There are 8,005 voters who are aged between 90 and 100 years. Of these, 249 belong to the Ghumarwin seat in Bilaspur district,' said Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) N. Gopalaswami.

Of the 839 centurions, 30 are from Ghumarwin.

He added that in Kangra district's Bara Banghal area, much of which lies over 9,000 ft above sea level, polling material would be airlifted by helicopter.

'We will also be shipping voting material and staff by boat to a tiny island habitation in the Pong Lake in Kangra district. A polling station has been created here for 83 voters,' the official said.

The CEC was here to review polling arrangements with top state government officials.

Polling is to take place for the second and last phase of the elections for 65 seats spread across the state on Dec 19.

Counting starts Dec 28.

In the first phase, polling took place on Nov 14 for the mountainous Bharmaur, Lahaul & Spiti and Kinnaur seats due to the threat of early snowfall.

© 2007 Indo-Asian News Service