Shimla, May 26 -- Voting for the first phase of the Panchayati Raj elections in Himachal Pradesh began at 7 AM on Tuesday across 1,293 panchayats, with voters turning out enthusiastically at polling stations across the state to elect new grassroots representatives for the next five years.

According to the State Election Commission, a total of 18,23,030 voters are eligible to cast their votes in this phase. These include 9,23,215 male voters, 8,99,766 female voters, and 49 voters from other categories.

The state administration has made elaborate arrangements to ensure peaceful polling, with special security measures in place in sensitive and remote areas.

Polling will continue till 3 PM, after which counting for the posts of Pradhan, Up...