Kinnaur: Hectic election activities are on in Himachal Pradesh as the state will have the Panchayati Raj Institution (PRI) elections in three phases in January next.
The elections are to be held on January 17, 19 and 21 for which the nomination papers may be filed from 11 am to 3 pm from December 31 to January 2.
The scrutiny of papers is scheduled on January 4 and the nominations may be withdrawn from 10 am to 3 pm on January 6. Poll symbols would also be issued to the candidates on the same day.
Meanwhile, people are showing tremendous interest in the election process even during the bone-chilling cold in the state.
When it comes to polls, the name of Master Shyam Saran Negi, the first voter of India automatically comes to mind. Negi, who recently turned 103, is ready for the elections. Negi, who voted for the first time on October 25, 1952, has not missed voting even in a single election since then.
His name was registered as the first voter of India on the morning of October 25, 1952, after he voted in the first-ever polls of independent India.
Negi, who still lives in his ancestral house, is fully prepared to vote in the Panchayati Raj Institution elections in the state.
Negi, who was a bit unwell in the recent past, is doing well and the authorities here have made arrangements for him to vote.
Also Read: Five charred to death as car catches fire after collision with truck near Agra
