Shimla, May 29 -- A turnout of 80% was recorded as polling for the second phase of rural body elections across 1,276 panchayats in Himachal Pradesh took place on Thursday. The polling process remained peaceful, said State Election Commissioner Anil Kumar Khachi.

The counting process for the posts of pradhan (village head), up-pradhan (deputy head) and ward members was underway and the results were expected to be declared late at night. The counting for 250 zila parishad wards and 1,684 panchayat samiti wards will take place on May 31 and the results would be declared on the same day.

Highlighting the high turnout, the State Election Commission said that in 2021 as well, during the second-phase polling, approximately 76% of the voters ac...