Himachal Pradesh recorded 18.90 per cent voter turnout by 9. 45 am in the first phase of Gram Panchayat elections across 1,293 panchayats on Tuesday, with Sirmaur district leading at 20.22 per cent.

The lowest turnout of 14.21 per cent was recorded in the tribal district of Lahaul-Spiti, where polling is being conducted in 17 panchayats.

“Lower districts, including Kangra, Una, parts of Bilaspur, Sirmour, Baddi, and Nalagarh in Solan, witnessed early morning enthusiasm to avoid scorching heat and heatwave conditions,” an official said.

State Election Commission (SEC) officials said that 16.10 lakh of the 50.79 lakh voters cast their votes in the first phase of the panchayat elections.

The Gram Panchayat elections will be held in three phases, with the second phase on May 28 and the third on May 30.

Voting for the first phase of the Panchayat elections in Himachal Pradesh began at 7 am on Tuesday, with long queues seen outside polling booths since early morning.

The SEC has introduced colour-coded ballot papers for different posts to avoid confusion among voters. While light green ballot papers are being used for the panchayat pradhan posts, yellow are for up-pradhan, and white for panchayat member. Other colours, including pink, will be used for Panchayat Samiti members and light blue for Zila Parishad members.

The SEC said that there are 50,79,048 electors, which includes 25,67,770 men and 25,11,249 women.