74.5 per cent polling in Himachal Pradesh

Himachal Pradesh has recorded 74.5 per cent voting in the 65 constituencies that went to the polls on Thursday to elect a new assembly.

Polling in three seats has been postponed due to inclement weather.

"This is higher than the 72 per cent recorded in 1998," the state's Chief Electoral Officer Manisha Nanda said.

The counting of votes would begin at 0800 IST on March one and the results are likely to be declared by noon, she said adding the electronic voting machines have been kept under heavy security.