The first phase of panchayat polls passed off peacefully amidst tight security. The overall voter turnout was 82.31 percent.
Though stray incidents of clash between workers of political parties were reported from different parts of the state, there was no major disruption of law and order.
Polls were held at 5,790 panchayats in 22 districts in the first phase. Most of the voters cast votes in the first three hours.
State Election Commission secretary Naveen Mittal told the media that except for some technical problems, overall the polling was peaceful. He said elections were originally scheduled for 6,140 panchayats in the first phase, but due to rain and floods, polling in 237 panchayats in six districts were postponed. Polls in these panchayats will be held on July 31.
On Tuesday, polling was postponed in 11 villages as election material did not reached polling booth in time. In two villages, polling was postponed due to a problem with poll symbols, he said and added that election in these panchayats will also be held in the third phase. Where polls were postponed due to returning officers’ mistakes, the election will be held on July 27, he said.