In the third and last phase of the election for three tier Panchayati raj bodies that was held on Wednesday, 68.91 per cent of voters exercised their franchise.

The voting in 2416 village Panchayats ended at 5 PM on the day. The data of the state election commission (SEC) shows that with a voter turnout of 83.16 percent, Uttarkashi district was at top. The Udham Singh Nagar district also recorded a very good voter turnout with 81.69 per cent voters coming out to vote. With 55.92 per cent voting, Almora district was at bottom of 12 districts where the Panchayat elections were held on Wednesday. 

The Dehradun and Champawat districts recorded 80.10 and 64.33 per cent voting respectively. In Rudraprayag district 62.23 per cent voter turnout was reported while in Chamoli district the voting percentage was 62.02.

It is pertinent to mention here that only 2176 candidates for 17929 posts were in contest for the post of member village Panchayat in the third phase of polling held in 30 blocks. Similarly for 2416 posts of village Pradhans 5611 candidates were in fray.

For 931 posts of the member block Panchayat, 2845 candidates were in the contest while 535 candidates are fighting it out for 115 posts of district Panchayat member.

The SEC data further showed that in all the three phases, 69.59 per cent voter turnout was reported in the State.

The voters of Udham Singh Nagar district showed maximum enthusiasm for participating in the festival of democracy as a voter turnout of 84.26 per cent was reported in all three phases.

Among the mountainous districts Uttarkashi reported a very healthy turnout of 78.43 per cent. Out of total electorate of 43,20,412, spreading over 89 blocks and 7,485 village Panchayats, 30,06,378 voters exercised their franchise.

After end of the polling for all three phases, all eyes are now on the counting of votes which would be done on October 21 and the results are expected to be declared on the same day.