Himachal Pradesh recorded a robust turnout of over 73 per cent in the first phase of its panchayat elections held on Tuesday. Women voters notably outnumbered men across all districts, signalling active participation in the local democratic process. The elections, conducted amidst a yellow alert for heatwave conditions in several districts, proceeded peacefully.
Information was available with The Chenab Times indicating that the State Election Commission data showed 73.19 per cent of eligible voters had cast their ballots by the 3 pm closing time. This figure is expected to rise as polling continued in some areas with queues extending beyond the official end time. The data further highlighted a higher engagement from female voters, with 76.26 per cent of them exercising their franchise compared to 70.2 per cent of male voters.
Kullu District Records Highest Voter Turnout
The district of Kullu emerged as the leading district in terms of voter participation, registering an impressive 82.44 per cent turnout. Solan followed with 78.59 per cent, while Una recorded 77.25 per cent. Other districts also saw significant participation, including Sirmaur (76.56 per cent), Shimla (75.14 per cent), and Mandi (73.78 per cent). Bilaspur recorded 71.22 per cent, Kangra 70.28 per cent, and Hamirpur 69.93 per cent. Lahaul and Spiti reported 69.4 per cent, Chamba 68.12 per cent, and Kinnaur registered 66.12 per cent turnout.
The State Chief Election Commissioner, Anil Khachi, informed PTI that the polling was conducted smoothly throughout the state. He did note a procedural hiccup in one ward in Mandi district, where a re-polling for a panchayat samiti member would be necessary due to a candidate’s name missing from the ballot. This isolated incident did not mar the overall peaceful conduct of the elections.
Centenarian Voter Inspires Participation
Adding a unique human element to the electoral process, 113-year-old Manglu Devi of Bhadrog village cast her vote at a specially designated ‘Pink Booth’ in Seu gram panchayat, Bilaspur district. Accompanied by her family, her participation was lauded by the District Election Officer (Panchayat) and Deputy Commissioner of Bilaspur, Rahul Kumar. He described her presence as an inspiration, highlighting her commitment to the ‘festival of democracy’ and encouraging other voters to engage actively.
The first phase of the Himachal Pradesh panchayat elections involved the election of members for 1,293 village councils. These elections are crucial for the grassroots democratic structure of the state, empowering local governance. The conduct of these elections also underscores the commitment of the Election Commission to ensure democratic processes continue even amid challenging weather conditions, such as the heatwave alert issued for several northern districts.
The high turnout, especially among women, is seen as a positive indicator of civic engagement and the growing importance of women’s participation in local governance in Himachal Pradesh. The administration had made arrangements to ensure voting could take place safely, considering the prevailing weather warnings. Pink Booths were established to encourage women’s participation and provide a comfortable voting environment. The overall peaceful conclusion of the first phase sets a precedent for the subsequent phases of the elections, reinforcing the democratic fabric of the state.
The Chenab Times News Desk