Himachal: Mahila Shakti Panchayat elections; voter turnout reaches 80%

Voters in Himachal Pradesh delivered a strong response in the second phase of the Panchayati Raj Institution (PRI) elections. Nearly 80 percent voter turnout was recorded in 1,276 Gram Panchayats on Thursday. This was higher than the 78.9 percent turnout in the first phase and even higher than the 76 percent turnout in the second phase of the 2021 Gram Panchayat elections.

Continuing the trend from the first phase, women voters outnumbered men in most districts, reflecting their increasing participation in grassroots democracy. According to data released by the State Election Commission, women cast nearly 83 percent votes, while men’s turnout was close to 76 percent. In nine of the state’s 12 districts, women outnumbered men.

Kullu district once again topped the list with the highest voter turnout at 86 percent. The district also had the highest voter turnout in the first phase with 84.57 percent. Sirmaur recorded a voter turnout of 85 percent, slightly higher than the 83.41 percent recorded in the first phase. On the other hand, the tribal district of Lahaul and Spiti recorded the lowest voter turnout at 69 percent.

The State Election Commission stated that the polling process was peaceful across the state, with no untoward incidents reported from any polling station. Long lines were seen outside many polling booths since morning as a large number of voters came to cast their votes.

Like the first phase, this election also saw a significant share of elderly voters and first-time voters. In many areas, voters over 100 years of age reached polling stations with the help of their family members. In Paonta Sahib, a 105-year-old man insisted on casting his vote despite his age. His son said, “He wanted to vote at any cost, so we brought him to the polling station.” Similarly, 110-year-old Surtu Devi of Brasali Gram Panchayat in Rohru also cast her vote, earning praise from both election officials and villagers. First-time voters expressed their happiness at being part of the democratic process and expressed hope that the newly elected representatives would work towards improving infrastructure and basic amenities in their villages.

The final phase of the PRI elections will be held on May 30 in 1,189 Gram Panchayats. Results for Panchayat office bearers are being declared today, while results for the Panchayat Samiti and Zila Parishad elections will be declared on May 31.