Kangra and Chamba districts sustained the momentum of heavy voting in the second phase of the elections to panchayati raj institution (PRIs) on Thursday, though the polling percentage dipped marginally compared to the first phase. Polling was held peacefully at 1,616 wards in 282 panchayats of Kangra district and 650 wards in 118 panchayats of Chamba district amid elaborate security arrangements.
In Kangra, 302,107 of the total 395,856 voters exercised their right to franchise, recording an overall turnout of 74.94 per cent, slightly lower than the 75.91 per cent turnout registered during the first phase. Women voters once again outnumbered men in casting vote. Of the total 196,021 registered women voters, 160,007 cast their vote, registering a turnout of 81.63 per cent. In comparison, 142,100 of the total 199,834 male voters exercised their right to franchise, registering a 68.80 per cent turnout.
Chamba district, too, witnessed enthusiastic participation by rural voters. Of the total 148,219 eligible voters, 118,559 cast their vote, taking the polling percentage to 79.99 per cent, marginally lower than the 80.96 per cent recorded in the first phase.
Female voters continued to dominate the turnout figures in Chamba as well. Against 73,080 registered women voters, 61,010 exercised their franchise, recording an impressive turnout of 83.61 per cent. As many as 57,458 of the total 75,131 male voters cast their vote, recording a turnout of 76.48 per cent.
Officials said that polling remained largely peaceful in both districts, with no major untoward incident reported from anywhere. The poll data of four booths in Kangra and two booths in Chamba was still awaited at the time of filing the report.
The authorities had deployed adequate police personnel and election staff to ensure smooth and fair conduct of polling.
