The first phase of Panchayat polls in Himachal would commence in the first week of November, the state election commission announced on Wednesday.
“Polling for the 42 out of total 3,243 Panchayats and three Zila Parishad members in tribal Bharmaur, Pangi and Kaza areas would be held on November 26, while the programmes for remaining Panchayats would be announced later,” state election Commissioner T.G. Negi said.
The polling, if necessary, would be held from 7 am to 3 pm. The NOTA provision would be available.
The vote counting for Panchayat president, vice-president and member would be taken up immediately after the polling, while the vote counting for three Zila Parishad members would be taken up on November 28, Mr Negi said.
The nominations would be filed on November 7, 9 and 10.
Scrutiny would take place on November 12 and the last date of withdrawal would be November 16, he said.
The final list of voters and candidates would be displayed on the same day, he said.
The model code of conduct has come into force in these panchayats with immediate effect, he said.
The Panchayat poll are due in December and January, and new elected Panchayati Raj bodies would be in place before January 22 next year on the expiry of term of existing Panchayats. - PTI
