The first phase of the three-tier Panchayat elections in Uttarakhand is underway peacefully on Thursday, July 24th. Voting for various posts of Gram Panchayat, Kshetra Panchayat, and Zilla Panchayat commenced at 7 am across the state. Long queues of rural voters are visible at the polling booths, indicating significant participation in this festival of democracy.
According to the State Election Commission, voting is being held in the first phase for 2,247 heads of Gram Panchayats, 9,731 members, 4,980 members of Kshetra Panchayats, and 871 members of Zilla Panchayats. The commission expects a voter turnout of over 70% this time.
Considerable Enthusiasm Among Voters
In the first phase of the Panchayat elections, the number of voters has increased by approximately 500,000 this time. The Election Commission says that the voting percentage may remain between 70 and 75. In the previous election of 2019, a total of 69.59 percent voting was recorded. At that time, the highest voting was recorded in Udham Singh Nagar at 84.26 percent and the lowest in Almora district at 60.04 percent.
In Uttarkashi district of the Garhwal division, 78.43 percent voting was recorded last time. This time, improvement in the voting percentage is expected due to better preparations, voter awareness campaigns, and security arrangements.
The State Election Commission has tightened security arrangements to conduct the elections peacefully and fairly. NDRF and SDRF teams have been deployed in sensitive areas to take immediate action in case of emergency.
CM Dhami Appeals to People to Vote
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has conveyed his best wishes to all citizens voting in the first phase and appealed to them to vote in large numbers to strengthen democracy. He said that Panchayats are the foundation of rural development and the participation of every voter strengthens democracy.
CM Dhami himself reached his home constituency Khatima to cast his vote, where he exercised his franchise at the polling station. He urged voters to go to their respective booths and vote, as every single vote plays an important role in shaping the future of the state.
Voting is Taking Place in These Blocks of the State
Under the first phase, voting is underway in many districts and blocks of Uttarakhand. Voting is being held in Takula, Dhauladevi, Tarikhet, Bhainsiyachhana, Lamgada, and Chaukhutia in Almora district. Voters have also reached polling stations in Khatima, Sitarganj, Gadarpur, and Bazpur in Udham Singh Nagar.
Voting is also taking place in Lohaghat and Pati in Champawat district, Dharchula, Didihat, Munsiyari, and Kanalichhina in Pithoragarh, and Betalghat, Okhalkanda, Ramgarh, and Dhari blocks in Nainital.
Besides this, people are also participating in voting in Dewal, Tharali, Joshimath, and Narayanbagad in Chamoli district, Bageshwar, Garud, and Kapkot in Bageshwar district, Mori, Purola, and Naugaon in Uttarkashi, and Jaunpur, Pratapnagar, Jakhanidhar, Thauldhar, and Bhilangna in Tehri Garhwal.
The voting process is also underway in Chakrata, Kalsi, and Vikasnagar in Dehradun district, and Khirsu, Pabo, Thalisain, Nainidanda, Beerokhal, Rikhanikhal, Ekeshwar, and Pokhra in Pauri Garhwal. In Rudraprayag district, villagers are voting in large numbers since morning in Ukhimath, Jakholi, and Agastyamuni.
