India, May 29 -- Nearly 77 per cent polling was recorded during the second phase of the Himachal Pradesh rural body elections for 1,276 panchayats on Thursday, with women voters surpassing men in turnout in nine out of 12 districts.

"Around 76.90 percent polling has been reported till 3 pm and the percentage is likely to increase as polling is still underway at some places, and details of more than 300 booths are yet to be uploaded", State Chief Election Commissioner Anil Khachi said.

The polling was peaceful and no untoward incidents have been reported so far from any part of the state, he added.

Sirmaur district reported maximum polling till 3 pm at 84.08 per cent, while Lahaul-Spiti reported the lowest turnout at 69.38 per cent. The...