Himachal Panchayat Polls See 78.53% Turnout in First Phase, Women Voters Outnumber Men!

Over 78% polling was recorded in the first phase of the Himachal Pradesh panchayat elections on May 26, 2026, with women voters participating at a rate of 81.76%, outpacing men at 75.43%. Voting began at 7 a.m. and concluded at 3 p.m. without any incidents, despite heatwave alerts in several districts. The highest turnout was noted in Kullu district at 84.43%, while Lahaul and Spiti district had the lowest at 69.40%. Some cancellations and postponements occurred due to candidate discrepancies and unfortunate events.

Remarkably, 113-year-old Manglu Devi cast her vote at a ‘Pink Booth’ in Bilaspur district, illustrating the involvement of older generations in the democratic process. The voting process showcased women’s empowerment at Ghanghal Panchayat, where all electoral responsibilities were managed by female officials. This initiative is aimed at enhancing women’s roles in local governance, with plans to replicate this success in future phases of voting.

With more than 16.5 lakh voters eligible in this phase, the elections feature over 9,000 candidates vying for various panchayat positions. The State Election Commission has initiated counting for certain positions, while results for others will be revealed on May 31. Future polling dates are set for May 28 and 30, indicating a high level of engagement in the electoral process and a significant step towards strengthening grassroots governance in the state.