Shimla, April 28
The State Election Commission on Tuesday announced the Panchayati Raj Institution elections in Himachal Pradesh, with voting to be held in three phases across 3,754 gram panchayats on May 26, 28 and 30. The Model Code of Conduct has come into force in rural areas with immediate effect.
State Election Commissioner Anil Khachi said that a total of 50,79,048 voters will exercise their franchise in the upcoming elections.
He informed that elections will be conducted for 21,654 gram panchayat ward members, 1,769 panchayat samiti members, and 251 zila parishad members, taking the total number of posts to 31,182.
According to the schedule, nomination papers will be filed on May 7, 8 and 11, while scrutiny will take place on May 12. The last date for withdrawal of nominations is May 14 and 15. Voting will be held in three phases on May 26, 28 and 30.
Khachi said that counting of votes for gram panchayat pradhans, up-pradhans and ward members will be conducted at respective panchayat headquarters on the same day after polling. Counting for the panchayat samiti and zila parishad members will be held on May 31.
He added that out of the total posts, 15,656 have been reserved for women. Elections will not be held in four panchayats of Kullu district, while polling will take place in all other panchayats.
The State Election Commissioner directed all district election officers to ensure the free, fair, and peaceful conduct of elections across the state.
