Polling for 3,834 Sarpanch posts and 27,628 ward member posts in the first phase of gram panchayat elections commenced across several districts on Tuesday, with voters braving the cold from 7 a.m. Women and senior citizens were seen turning up in considerable numbers to cast their votes.

In all, 56,19,430 voters are eligible to cast their votes at 37,562 polling stations. Voting

will continue till 1 p.m. and counting will begin at 2 p.m., with results expected to be declared the same evening.

In the first phase, election notification was issued for 4,236 gram panchayats and 37,440 ward member posts. Nominations were not filed for five gram panchayats and 169 ward member posts. As many as 396 Sarpanches and 9,633 ward members have been elected unanimously.

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