HP polls: Nominations to pick up during Navratras

Nominations for assembly polls at Himachal are likely to gain momentum during the auspicious period of Navratras starting from Tuesday.

In the first five days of the nomination process, which commenced on October 10, only 16 candidates have filed their papers. According to poll pundits, the low turnout during the first five days of the nomination process was because most of the candidates were waiting for Navratras to start from Tuesday. Maximum nominations are likely to be filed on October 16 and 17, the first two days of Navratras, they said. The filing of nomination will end on October 17 and scrutiny will take place on October 18. The last date for withdrawal of nominations is October 20. For the 68 assembly seats of Himachal, an electorate of 45.16 lakh will cast their vote on November 4.