80 pc polling in ph II of panchayat elections

Bhanu P Lohumi

Tribune News Service

Shimla, January 19

Heavy polling was recorded in the second phase of panchayat elections in the state as about 80.10 per cent voters cast their votes for elections to 1,208 panchayats (as per the data available till 8 pm). Elections were held in 11 out of 12 districts barring Lahaul and Spiti district. The polling was peaceful and no untoward incident was reported from any part of the state.

The BJP national president J P Nadda cast his vote for zila parishad and panchayat samiti members at Government Primary School, Vijaypur. Pradhan, up-pradhan and panchayat members were elected unanimously in this panchayat.

A large number of voters queued up outside the polling booths in the morning. Women (81.90 per cent) outnumbering men (76.60 per cent) in casting their vote.

An elderly, 109-year-old Mussa Deen, exercised his franchise in Thohra gram panchayat in Nurpur setting an example for the young generations.

As many as 75 Covid -19 patients and isolation voters cast their votes following the standard operating procedure. The highest 96 per cent polling was registered in Nandpur gram panchayat of Nalagarh developmental block of Solan district.

There were 12,31, 517 voters in the second phase — 6,30,580 females and 6,00,852 males — and counting was taken up immediately after close of polling. The voting percentage was 18.20 per cent till 10 am, 39.96 per cent till 12 pm and 63.60 per cent till 2 pm.

Voters exercised their franchise to elect panchayat president, vice president, members, zila parishad members and panchayat samiti members. Election for remaining 1,137 panchayats would be held on January 21.

Pre-statehood MLA casts vote in Bhoranj

Hamirpur: Amar Singh Chaudhary, former MLA from Mewa (now Bhoranj), cast his vote for the panchayat elections at Ropari Balohiyan village in Bhoranj near here. He was elected MLA in 1967 from the Jan Sangh when Himachal was not a separate state. He was again elected to the state Assembly in 1977. Amar Singh is now 90-year-old and probably the only surviving member of the 1967 team of the Assembly. Though old age has affected his health, he is still an enthusiastic voter. Speaking after casting his vote, he said,“I have never missed casting my vote ever since I become eligible for voting.” OC

Counting stopped in Sandhol

Mandi: The polling for the second phase was held in 188 gram panchayats in Mandi district. DC Rugved Thakur said 81.64 per cent polling was recorded in the district. He said in Sandhol panchayat, the counting had been stopped and ballot boxes kept in a strong room after some error on part of polling party came to the fore. The DC said the matter had been referred to the State Election Commission. In Kullu district, 83.13 per cent voting was registered. DC and District Election Officer Richa Verma said the district had recorded an overall 83.13 per cent polling in 78 panchayats. She said 81.04 per cent polling was registered in Kullu block, 82.71 per cent in Naggar, 85.35 per cent in Banjar, 86.49 per cent in Anni and 83.41 per cent in Nirmand block. TNS