People turned out in large numbers to exercise their right to vote in the elections to the Panchayati Raj Institutions in Himachal Pradesh.In the second phase of voting held on Thursday, a voter turnout of around 80 per cent has been was recorded.The figure may change slightly after the final reports come in from all districts.In the first phase of voting on May 26, a voting percentage of 78.9 per cent was recorded.People were seen queueing up outside the polling booths since early morning at many places. Just like in the first phase of voting, many elderly and first-time voters turned up to cast their votes. Quite a few voters were above 100, who came to the polling booths with the help of their families.Anurag Thakur exudes confidence over BJP victory in Himachal panchayatsMay 28, 2026 4:38 pmFormer Union minister and Hamirpur BJP MP Anurag Thakur, accompanied by family members, arrived at the polling booth in Samirpur panchayat and cast his vote in the Himachal Pradesh Panchayati Raj elections on Thursday, asserting that the trends are heavily in favour of BJP. Thakur said people are using their franchise in the panchayat polls to vent their anger against the Congress government in the state. PTIOver 61% turnout till 1 pmMay 28, 2026 4:33 pmThe Himachal Pradesh Panchayat poll recorded a turnout of 61.67 per cent till 1 pm, during the second phase of rural body elections for 1,276 panchayats, officials said. PTIAround 45% polling recorded in first two hours in Shimla districtMay 28, 2026 12:57 pmAround 45 per cent voting was recorded in the first two hours of polling in Shimla district during the second phase of Panchayat elections. People were seen lining up outside polling booths early in the morning, with several elderly and first-time voters turning up to exercise their franchise. Polling is being held in 150 panchayats across the district in the second phase. Unlike the first phase, which was conducted amid oppressive heat, the weather remained considerably cooler on Thursday.Polling underway at Himachal’s highest-altitude booth in Spiti ValleyMay 28, 2026 11:31 amPolling is underway at Himachal Pradesh’s highest-altitude polling station, set up at Government Primary School Comic in the remote Spiti Valley of Lahaul-Spiti district. Located at an elevation of 4,587 metres above sea level, the polling station falls under Langza Gram Panchayat in the Kaza development block and is the highest polling booth in the state.Brisk voting witnessed in ShimlaMay 28, 2026 11:29 amPeople stand in long queues to cast their votes during the second phase of Panchayat elections in Shimla district on Thursday. Tribune photo: Lalit KumarPolls being held with colour-coded ballot papersMay 28, 2026 10:53 amThe elections are being held using colour-coded ballot papers with white for ward members, yellow for up-pradhans, green for pradhans, pink for Panchayat Samiti members and blue for Zila Parishad members.Polling for 1,274 panchayats in third and final phase to be held on May 30May 28, 2026 10:52 amElections for Ward No. 2 of the Samwal panchayat in the Tissa Block of Chamba, which was postponed due to rule violations by some officials, will be held on May 30, Surjit Singh Rathore, Secretary, State Election Commission, said.Brisk polling in Kangra, ChambaMay 28, 2026 10:32 amVoting for the second phase of Panchayati Raj Institution elections began briskly across Kangra and Chamba districts, with enthusiastic participation by elderly voters, women and first-time youth voters. Polling is underway in 282 panchayats of Kangra district and 118 panchayats of Chamba district amid tight security arrangements. Long queues were witnessed outside several polling booths since morning, particularly in rural and remote areas. Counting of votes for panchayat representatives will begin immediately after the completion of polling, while counting for Zila Parishad and Block Development Council seats will take place on May 31.107-year-old Dharampati casts vote at Ward No. 4 in Gram Panchayat Bhatwari JhatwariMay 28, 2026 9:32 am17.30 lakh people eligible to exercise their franchise in second phaseMay 28, 2026 8:28 amAs many as 17.30 lakh voters are eligible to exercise their franchise in the second phase, including 8,74,416 male voters, 8,55,597 female voters and 17 voters categorised as others.