A large number of voters participated in the first phase of the elections to panchayati raj institutions in 198 gram panchayats in Mandi district on Tuesday. Sundernagar block recorded the highest voter turnout of 83 per cent while Karsog block reported 82.26 per cent. According to Returning Officer and SDM, Karsog, Gaurav Mahajan, 12,365 voters out of total 15,031 registered voters cast their vote in the block. Women voters outnumbered men in polling. as an impressive 84.07 per cent female voter turnout was recorded against 80.54 per cent by males. Officials said the polling process in Karsog was peaceful throughout the day.
However, elections to the panchayat samiti member posts in Thach Tharmi and Parlog gram panchayats were postponed due to technical reasons. The election authorities said that fresh polling for these seats would be conducted later as per the directions of the State Election Commission.
Chauntra block registered a voter turnout of 69.69 per cent, Karsog block (82.26 per cent), Gopalpur block (72.92 per cent) and Darang block (79.33 per cent). Officials said that the detailed voting data from a few remaining blocks was still awaited.
The election authorities said that the counting of votes for the posts of pradhan, vice-pradhan and ward members was underway and the results were expected to be declared by late evening. However, the results of the elections to the posts of zila parishad member would be announced on May 31.