Shimla, April 22 -- State election commissioner Anil Khachi on Tuesday announced that elections across 51 urban local bodies (ULBs) in Himachal Pradesh will take place on May 17.

Addressing media in Shimla, Khachi said the elections will cover four municipal corporations (MCs), 25 municipal councils and 22 Nagar Panchayats across the state. While elections to MC's will be held on party symbols, candidates in municipal councils and nagar panchayats will contest on independent symbols.

A formal notification was issued by state election commission on April 21. The Model Code of Conduct also came into force on Tuesday in these 51 urban local bodies following the notification.

There are 64 wards in the four municipal corporations, 229 wards...