Shimla, April 21
Himachal Pradesh on Tuesday announced elections for 51 urban local bodies, with voting scheduled for 17 May, officials said. State Election Commissioner Anil Kumar Khachi said the model code of conduct has come into force following the declaration of the poll schedule. Khachi said elections for rural panchayats would be announced separately, likely within a week.
The elections will cover four municipal corporations — Solan, Palampur, Mandi and Dharamshala — along with 25 municipal councils and 22 nagar panchayats, he added. State Election Commissioner further said that more than 360,000 voters are eligible to cast their ballots, including over 180,000 men and nearly 180,000 women, as well as a small number of other registered voters.
“Authorities plan to set up 589 polling stations. Voting will take place between 07:00 and 15:00 local time on 17 May. Nomination papers can be filed on 29 and 30 April and 2 May, with scrutiny set for 4 May. Candidates can withdraw their nominations until 6 May, Khachi said.
Votes for municipal councils and nagar panchayats will be counted on the same day as polling, while results for the four municipal corporations will be declared on 31 May, he added. The officials have also capped campaign spending, with limits varying depending on the category of the local body. More than 1,800 voters are expected to cast their ballots for the first time.
