Himachal set for second phase of panchayat polls today

Shimla: Voting for the second phase of panchayati raj elections in Himachal Pradesh will be held on Thursday across 1,276 panchayats. Campaigning for the polls concluded on Tuesday evening, paving the way for voting from 7 am to 3 pm on Thursday. Around 18 lakh voters are eligible to cast their votes in 7,334 wards across the state. The counting of votes for gram panchayat members, pradhan and up-pradhan posts, conducted through colour-coded ballot papers, will take place on the same evening. However, results for zila parishad and panchayat samiti wards across all three phases will be declared on May 31. The first phase of polling was conducted on Tuesday, which recorded an overall voter turnout of 78.8%. The third and final phase of voting will be held on May 30 in the remaining panchayats. The state election commission has directed officials deployed on election duty to remain extra vigilant and warned of strict action against any negligence or lapse in the election process. Additional police personnel have also been deployed at sensitive and highly sensitive polling stations to ensure peaceful voting. MSID: 131352568 413 |