2.83 Lakh Voters to Cast Their Votes at 587 Polling Stations; 197 Declared Sensitive and 57 Highly Sensitive
Almora – The district administration of Almora is all set for the first phase of the three-tier panchayat elections scheduled for July 24, 2025. District Magistrate and District Election Officer (Panchayat) Ashok Kumar Pandey held a press conference at the Collectorate on Tuesday, providing detailed information about the preparations.
He informed that voting will take place in six development blocks – Takhala, Dhaula Devi, Bhaisiya Chhana, Lamgara, Syalde, and Chaukhutiya – during the first phase. A total of 2,83,789 voters will exercise their voting rights across 587 polling stations, out of which 197 are marked as sensitive and 57 as highly sensitive.
To ensure free and fair elections, the administration has deployed 17 Zonal Magistrates, 6 Reserve Zonal Magistrates, 48 Sector Magistrates, and 11 Reserve Sector Magistrates.
74 JCB Machines Deployed to Maintain Road Connectivity
Given the ongoing monsoon season, the administration has taken special measures to ensure smooth movement of polling parties. 74 JCB machines have been stationed at various motor roads to clear any obstructions caused by rain or landslides. Laborers have also been assigned to maintain and clear footpaths and trekking routes where needed. Polling staff will be provided with waterproof ballot box bags and bleaching powder to maintain sanitation at polling sites.
Polling Parties to Depart from Block Headquarters Today
The first batch of polling teams will depart from the block headquarters on Wednesday, July 24. The district administration has emphasized maintaining road connectivity and ensuring the safe return of polling parties. Duties have been assigned carefully in compliance with election regulations.
2,432 Candidates Contesting for 936 Pradhan Posts
Several posts across the district have already been filled unopposed. Out of 8,242 gram panchayat member seats, 1,962 have been filled unopposed. Similarly, 218 out of 1,160 Pradhan posts and 29 out of 391 block-level (Kshetra Panchayat) seats were decided without contest. However, no district-level (Zila Panchayat) seat saw an uncontested win.
Currently, 2,432 candidates are contesting for 936 Pradhan posts, 1,136 candidates for 362 Kshetra Panchayat seats, and 190 candidates for 45 Zila Panchayat seats. There are also 79 candidates contesting for the remaining 39 gram panchayat member seats.
Some Polling Teams to Cover Long Distances on Foot
Out of the total 1,163 polling stations, most are within 0 to 5 km walking distance from the nearest road. However, five polling stations require teams to walk between 5 to 8 kilometers. These include:
Baburiya Nayal in Bhaisiya Chhana block – 8 km from the nearest road
Primary School Daughodiya in Lamgara – 8 km
Primary School Simlti – 7 km
Primary School Dhyulidhoni – 6 km
Primary School Bhangi – 5 km
The district election officer assured that all necessary arrangements are in place to conduct the elections peacefully, safely, and efficiently.
