Shimla: The stage is all set for today's elections to 48 local bodies in Himachal Pradesh in which more than 3 lakh voters will exercise their franchise.
Polls will be held for 25 municipal councils and 23 nagar panchayats, where Electronic Voting Machines will be used for the first time in the State for local elections. As many as 2,100 EVMs have been arranged for 457 polling stations in 406 wards.
Arrangements made
More than 4000 government employees and over 2000 police and home guard personnel have been deployed on poll duty for the smooth conduct of the elections.
For the first time, presidents and vice-presidents of municipal councils and nagar panchayats along with members of the ward will be elected through direct vote.
Fifty per cent seats have been reserved for women in all urban and local bodies, however, there is no reservation for the post of vice-presidents. More than 215 wards have been reserved for females.
The atmosphere in towns and cities is charged with intense political activities as the ruling BJP and the Opposition Congress have left no stone unturned to ensure victory of their candidates. As the elections are being contested on party lines, this is the first direct conflict between the two national parties in the State after 2009 Lok Sabha polls.
Around 3.04 lakh voters, including 1.42 lakh females, are expected to exercise their franchise in today's elections.
The is no election to Shimla Municipal Corporation, as the term of the body expires in May, 2012. - PTI
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