Polling for 51 urban local bodies in Himachal Pradesh, including four Municipal Corporations—Dharamshala, Palampur, Mandi, and Solan—began today at 7 AM and will continue until 3 PM. The elections encompass a total of 3,60,859 eligible voters, comprising 1,80,963 men, 1,79,882 women, and 14 others. Among these voters, 1,808 are first-time voters aged 18. The State Election Commissioner, Anil Khachi, emphasized that extensive security arrangements are in place to ensure a peaceful election process. Additionally, a paid holiday has been announced for both government and private sector employees to facilitate maximum voter participation. The Himachal Pradesh State Election Commission has also been proactive in disseminating voter awareness information through various media outlets. Following this election, the three-phase Panchayati Raj elections are scheduled for May 26, 28, and 30, with counting for the Municipal Councils and Nagar Panchayats happening the same day, while the Municipal Corporations will be counted on May 31.