India, April 28 -- The state election commission on Tuesday announced that panchayat polls in Himachal Pradesh will be conducted in three phases on May 26, 28 and 30, with counting of votes on May 31.

The announcement of the poll schedule follows a recent reprimand from the Supreme Court, which issued an ultimatum to the state government to conclude the local body elections before the end of May.

Addressing a press conference in Shimla, state election commissioner Anil Kumar Khachi said the elections will cover 31,182 posts, including those of pradhan, up-pradhan, gram panchayat members, panchayat samitis and zila parishads, in all 12 districts.

However, the election programme will not apply to four gram panchayats in Kullu district as...