The elections to Himachal Pradesh panchayati raj institutions concluded on Saturday with over 80 per cent of voters exercising their right to vote in the final phase.
The three-phased voting saw high voter turnout – 78.9 per cent in the first phase, 79.9 per cent in the second, and slightly over 80 per cent in the final phase.
Even as the temperature declined sharply at many places following rain and thunderstorms on Friday, especially in the districts of Shimla and Mandi, it did not deter voters from casting their votes.
As many as 31,182 public representatives have been chosen through these elections for the three-tier panchayati raj institutions comprising gram panchayats, panchayat samitis and zila parishads.
A total of 3,754 pradhans, 3,754 vice-pradhans, 21,654 ward members, 1,769 panchayat samiti members and 251 zila parishad members have been elected through these elections. 10,854 office-bearers have been elected unopposed.