The State Election Commission on Thursday said that the notification for bye-elections to 217 posts of Panchayati Raj Institutions has been issued. A spokesperson said that out of these 217 posts, one post of Zila Parishad Member Jhakri-2, Zila Parishad Shimla, 6 posts of Panchayat Samiti member, 14 Pradhan, 17 Up-Pradhan and 179 Panchayat Ward member's posts are vacant. The polling would be held on August 10 and counting completed by August 12. With this notification, the model code of conduct has come into force in Shimla district of the state with immediate effect.