Himachal Pradesh records 78.80% polling in panchayat elections

SHIMLA: In the first phase of elections for the panchayati raj institutions in Himachal Pradesh 78.80% polling was recorded on Sunday.
Across state, 129 Covid-19 positive patients also exercised their franchise. In the first phase elections were held for 1227 panchayats to elect ward members, up-pradhans, pradhans, panchayat samiti members and zila parishad members.
Elections for the Phase-II and Phase-III will be held on January 19 and 21 respectively.
Highest polling was recorded in Kullu district while lowest polling was recorded in Lahaul-Spiti district.
After voting started at 8am initial two hours witnessed snow polling as till 10am only 15.90% voting was recorded but in next two hours it gradually started increasing as in next two hours till 12 pm state had recorded 35.30% voting and till 2 pm in the state 58.20% polling was recorded.
Among districts, 78.50% polling was recorded in Bilaspur district, 78.80% in Chamba district, 74.40% in Hamirpur district, 75.50% in Kangra district, 63.10% in Kinnaur district, 84% in Kullu district, 62% in Lahaul-Spiti district, 78.90% in Mandi district, 78.30% in Shimla district, 80.40% in Sirmaur district, 83% in Solan district and 77.90% in Una district.
While there were large numbers of young voters who voted for the first time amid great enthusiasm but 'josh' was equally high among the old voters who ensured their presence in the electoral process through vote.
First voter of independent India, Shyam Saran Negi (103) voted at Kalpa polling station of Kinnaur district. Negi was given red carpet welcome at polling station by the officials of district administration. Deputy commissioner Hemraj Biarva honoured Negi with Kinnauri cap and a shawl.
In Hamirpur district, 100-year-old Labdu Devi voted at Amroh ward number 1 while 99-year-old Tirthu Devi from Beri village under Chauri panchayat of Mandi district also made it a point to vote despite her age.
In ward no 7 of Poolan Panchayat in Bharmaur sub division of Chamba district 100-year-old Lobhi Ram exercised his franchise while 102-year-old Mansa Ram inspired many youngsters by reaching at the polling station of Salwar panchayat in Jahndutta sub division of Bilaspur district.
Chief minister Jai Ram Thakur along with his wife Sadhna Thakur voted at polling station in Murhag panchayat of Seraj Assembly constituency in Mandi district. Union minister of state for finance Anurag Thakur and his father former chief minister Prem Kumar Dhumal voted at Samirpur panchayat of Hamirpur district.