After the completion of the nomination withdrawal process for the Panchayati Raj Institutions elections in Himachal Pradesh, as many as 10,854 candidates have been elected unopposed across the state, the State Election Commission said on Tuesday.

Secretary, State Election Commission, Surjeet Singh Rathore said the unopposed winners include 85 members of Zila Parishads and Panchayat Samitis (BDCs), 176 Panchayat Pradhans, 286 Up-Pradhans and 10,307 ward members.

131 gram panchayats elected unanimously

The Commission said 131 gram panchayats in the state have been elected unanimously, with the posts of Pradhan, Up-Pradhan and all ward members being filled unopposed.

As a result, no voting will take place in these panchayats during polling scheduled for May 26, 28 and 30.

Shimla district recorded the highest number of unanimously elected gram panchayats at 42. The district also saw 21 Panchayat Samiti members, 51 Pradhans, 87 Up-Pradhans and 1,687 ward members being elected unopposed.

Kangra tops in unopposed ward members

Kangra district reported the highest number of unopposed ward members at 1,657, followed by Kullu with 1,296, Sirmaur with 1,166 and Solan with 1,121 ward members.

District-wise figures released by the Election Commission showed Bilaspur elected 420 ward members and three Pradhans unopposed, while Chamba recorded 400 ward members and four Pradhans elected unanimously.

Hamirpur saw 582 ward members elected unopposed, while Kinnaur reported 262 ward members and 22 Pradhans winning without contest.

Lahaul and Spiti recorded 809 ward members elected unanimously. In Kullu, 1,296 ward members and nine Pradhans won unopposed, while Mandi registered 206 ward members and 17 Pradhans elected without contest.

Sirmaur witnessed 1,166 ward members and 32 Pradhans elected unopposed, while Solan reported 1,121 ward members and 14 Pradhans winning without contest.

Una district recorded 706 ward members and eight Pradhans elected unanimously.

Polling as per schedule in remaining seats

The State Election Commission said voting would be conducted as per schedule in seats where contests remain.