Shimla, May 16 -- Himachal Pradesh is set to witness one of its largest grassroots democratic exercises with as many as 70,224 candidates remaining in the fray for the upcoming Panchayati Raj Institution (PRI) elections, while polling for 51 urban local bodies will be held across the state on Sunday.

According to an official statement issued by the Himachal Pradesh State Election Commission, the PRI election process began with the issuance of a notification on April 29. Nomination papers were filed on May 7, 8 and 11, followed by scrutiny on May 12 and 13. The final list of candidates emerged on May 15 after the completion of the withdrawal process and allotment of election symbols.

The three-phase Panchayati Raj elections will be condu...