Polling for the second phase of panchayat elections in Himachal Pradesh began at 7 am on Thursday, with a voter turnout of 21.36% recorded in the first two hours. Enthusiastic voters, including first-timers and senior citizens, formed long queues at polling booths. Sirmaur district achieved the highest initial turnout at 23.59%, while Lahaul and Spiti district had the lowest at 14.62%. This phase includes 17.3 lakh eligible voters, comprising 8,74,416 men and 8,55,597 women. The elections are part of a three-phase process to elect 31,182 public representatives, including pradhans, up-pradhans, ward members, panchayat samiti members, and zila parishad members. So far, 10,854 candidates have been elected unopposed. The administration is using color-coded ballot papers to facilitate voting. The first phase recorded a turnout of 78.9%, and the final phase is scheduled for May 30, with results for municipal and parishad seats to be announced on May 31.