Shimla, May 30 -- The third and final phase of the Panchayati Raj Institution (PRI) elections concluded across Himachal Pradesh on Saturday, bringing to an end the state's rural local body election process.

Despite inclement weather in several parts of the state, voters turned out enthusiastically to elect their village representatives, with youth, first-time voters and senior citizens actively participating in the democratic exercise.

Polling percentage in the final phase remained below 60 per cent, lower than the first two phases, which had recorded voter turnout exceeding 75 per cent.

Earlier, the State Election Commission had stated that out of 31,182 seats across Himachal Pradesh, 10,854 candidates had already been elected unoppos...