Shimla/Dharamshala/Kullu, May 26
Voting for the first phase of Panchayat elections across 1,293 gram panchayats in Himachal Pradesh began at 7 am on Tuesday amid enthusiastic participation from voters across the state. Long queues were witnessed outside polling booths from as early as 6:30 am, as people arrived early to avoid the summer heat.
Elderly voters, women and first-time young voters were seen lining up enthusiastically to cast their votes for their preferred candidates. In Kangra district, polling stations witnessed heavy rush even before the official start of voting. At the polling booth set up in Government Senior Secondary School, Ichhi, long queues of voters were seen by around 7:15 am.
Polling will continue till 3 pm, while results for Panchayat representatives are expected to be declared later in the evening. More than 6,500 polling parties have been deployed across the state for the smooth conduct of elections.
In Shimla district, Rohru block recorded 17.46 per cent polling till 9 am in 14 panchayats, while Dodra Kwar subdivision registered 14.6 per cent voting during the same period. Chhohara block reported 17.84 per cent polling till 9 am.
The State Election Commission has prohibited voters from carrying mobile phones inside polling booths, warning of strict action against violators. A total of 21,678 polling stations have been established across the state, including 16,539 normal, 3,554 sensitive and 1,585 highly sensitive polling booths.
The commission appealed to all voters to exercise their franchise freely and fearlessly.
Meanwhile, Kullu district recorded an overall voter turnout of 38.95 per cent till 11 am. Naggar block registered the highest polling at 42.35 per cent, followed by Bhuntar at 39.65 per cent, Nirmand at 37.05 per cent, Banjar at 35.94 per cent and Ani at 35.02 per cent.
The counting of votes for BDC and Zila Parishad seats will be conducted on May 31, for which ballot boxes will be kept in strong rooms. The second and third phases of polling are scheduled for May 28 and May 30 respectively, after which the Panchayat election process will conclude with the counting of BDC and Zila Parishad votes on May 31.
