The first phase of the Panchayat elections in 30 blocks of 12 districts of the State was held on Saturday. In the elections, 58.97 percent of voters had exercised their franchise till 4 pm. The voting started at 8 am and by 10 am, 12.46 percent of the voters had voted. The voting percentage picked up later and by 12 Noon 30.12 percent voters had used their voting right. The State Election Commission claimed that the voting was peaceful and no untoward event was reported anywhere in the State.
In the first phase, a total of 14,95,032 voters which included 7,32,763 females and 7,62,279 males were enrolled to elect their representatives for the three tier Panchayati Raj system.
The State Election Commission had made adequate arrangements for free and fair polling in the 12 districts of the State.
In the first phase of elections, the voters of 2,464 village Panchayats would elect 2,464 Pradhans, 1,80,406 members of Village Panchayats, 1,022 members of Block Panchayats and 121 members of district Panchayats. The SEC had set up 2,686 polling centres and 3,315 polling booths in 2,464 village Panchayats.
The Panchayat elections in 12 districts of the State are being held in three phases.
The voting for second and third phase voting would be held on October 11 and 16 respectively. The counting of votes would be done on October 21 and the results are expected to be declared on the same day.