Filing of nominations for Assembly elections in Himachal Pradesh to begin today

The filing of nominations for Assembly elections in Himachal Pradesh will begin today with the issuance of notification. Chief Electoral Officer Pushpender Rajput said, the last date for filing of nominations will be 23rd of this month and scrutiny will take place the next day. 

Last day for withdrawal of nominations will be October 26, while polling will be held on the 9th of next month in a single phase. The counting of votes will be taken up on December



18. 

Mr Rajput said, voter-verifiable paper audit trail (VVPAT) machines will be used on all polling booths for the first time in Himachal Assembly polls.He said, out of 7,521 polling booths in the state, 136 polling booths will only have women officials. Mr Rajput said, Model Code of Conduct will remain in force till December 20. 

Two major political parties - BJP and Congress are yet to announce their candidates.