Himachal News: 30 Million Ballot Papers to Be Printed for Panchayat Polls

The Himachal Pradesh State Election Commission has ordered the printing of 30 million ballot papers for the Panchayat elections scheduled in December. Each voter will cast five votes—to elect the panchayat pradhan, up-pradhan, ward member, panchayat samiti member, and zila parishad member.

“There will be around six million voters in the Panchayati Raj institution elections. Hence, we have ordered 30 million ballot papers,” an election commission official said. “Last time, we printed 27.5 million ballot papers.”

The official added that ballot boxes are ready and will soon be dispatched from district headquarters to block offices. Other election forms and materials will also be sent by next week. Around 3,575 panchayat pradhans and up-pradhans will be elected through this process.

The commission has written to schools, asking them to conduct examinations early and finish by December 6, as school buildings will be used as polling stations. “We also draw most of our election staff from the education department,” the official said.

District administrations are expected to release the reservation roster for the Panchayat elections shortly.