As many as 1,189 gram panchayats across Himachal Pradesh will go to polls tomorrow in the final phase of the Panchayati Raj Institution (PRI) elections. The first two phases of polling were held on May 26 and May 28 and witnessed an enthusiastic voter turnout of 78.9 per cent and 80 per cent, respectively.
Kangra district will see polling in the highest number of panchayats at 277, followed by Mandi with 183 and Shimla with 141. The fewest panchayats going to the polls are in Lahaul and Spiti (14) and Kinnaur (26).
According to the State Election Commission, polling parties have completed preparations at booths to ensure smooth conduct of voting. Election officials are expecting another strong turnout in the final phase as rural voters have actively participated in the elections so far.
However, the weather may play a role in voter participation, particularly among elderly voters who turned out in large numbers during the earlier phases. The Meteorological Department has forecast light to moderate rainfall across several parts of the state tomorrow.
With the completion of the third and final phase of polling, political attention will shift to May 31 when results of four Municipal Corporations, Zila Parishads and Panchayat Samities will be declared.
The Municipal Corporation elections are being keenly watched as these were contested on party symbols and are seen as a political test ahead of next year’s Assembly elections. The Zila Parishad polls are also significant, though these were largely fought on non-party lines, despite the BJP declaring official candidates while the Congress refrained from doing so.
