Robust Participation Observed in Himachal's Second Phase of Panchayat Elections

The second phase of Himachal Pradesh's panchayat elections saw significant voter engagement, with nearly 44% turnout by midday. Sirmaur district led in participation, while over 17 lakh voters were eligible to decide the fate of local representatives. The final phase is scheduled for the end of May.

The second phase of Himachal Pradesh's panchayat elections drew a strong voter turnout, with approximately 43.76% of eligible voters casting their votes by 11 am. Voters, including first-timers and senior citizens, waited eagerly in queues as polling began at 7 am across 1,276 panchayats.

Sirmaur stood out with the highest turnout at 50.52%, whereas Lahaul-Spiti reported the lowest engagement with 37.79%. Over 17 lakh voters had the opportunity to influence the election outcomes, with women, men, and a few third-gender voters all participating. The first phase observed a high turnout and the final phase will take place on May 30.

Former Union minister Anurag Thakur participated in the polls, encouraging voters to enthusiastically partake in the democratic process. Thakur expressed optimism about BJP's prospects, stating the elections provide a platform for expressing dissatisfaction with the current state government. Meanwhile, a voter named Sarita emphasized development needs, like new libraries and better roads, as her motivation for voting.

Notably, 10,854 candidates have already been elected unopposed. The elections employed a color-coded ballot system for different roles within the panchayats. Voting for a postponed ward in Chamba district is set for May 30, completing the extensive democratic exercise.