Himachal Pradesh polling ended peacefully; Counting on Dec 18

Polling was entirely peaceful in Himachal Pradesh and has ended today. In Himachal 337 candidates are competing to be elected to the Vidhan Sabha's 68 seats.

Deputy Election Commissioner Sandeep Saxena said 74 per cent polling had been recorded, and that this number was likely to increase.

Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh has said this will be his last election. Singh, who has been Himachal Pradesh's chief minister several times before, has said the Congress will win a majority.

The BJP's candidate for the top post is Prem Kumar Dhumal, a two-time chief minister himself.

Votes will be counted on December 18.