More than 78 per cent voters exercised their franchise in the first phase of the Panchayati Raj Institution (PRI) elections held across Himachal Pradesh on Tuesday, reflecting strong public participation in the grassroots democratic process despite intense heat wave conditions prevailing in several parts of the state. The final polling percentage is expected to witness a slight variation once reports from all districts are compiled by the State Election Commission.
Polling was conducted in 1,293 gram panchayats out of the total 3,754 gram panchayats in the state. Voters cast five separate votes each for panchayat ward member, vice-pradhan, pradhan, Panchayat Samiti member and Zila Parishad member. While counting for gram panchayat posts was taken up immediately after polling, the results for Panchayat Samiti and Zila Parishad seats will be declared on May 31.
The voter turnout marginally surpassed the participation recorded during the first phase of the 2021 PRI elections, when around 77 per cent polling was registered across 1,228 gram panchayats.
Women voters played a significant role in the electoral exercise, outnumbering male voters in 10 of the 12 districts. Kullu district recorded the highest voter turnout at over 84 per cent, while the tribal district of Lahaul and Spiti witnessed the lowest turnout at nearly 69 per cent.
Though polling remained largely peaceful, a few isolated incidents were reported from different parts of the state. A minor scuffle took place at a polling station in Haroli area of Una district. In another incident, re-polling will now be conducted in one ward of Narain gram panchayat in Rampur subdivision of Shimla district after some voters mistakenly used the “NOTA” stamp against their preferred candidate. Rampur SDM Harsh Amrender Singh said the lapse had been reported to the State Election Commission, which has scheduled re-polling in the ward for May 30.
Scenes of enthusiasm and determination marked the day-long exercise. In Rampur, a 103-year-old voter was carried to the polling station on a person’s back so he could cast his vote. First-time voters and elderly residents were seen participating enthusiastically throughout the state.
The second phase of the PRI elections will be held on May 28 after campaigning concluded on Tuesday evening.
