Srinagar
The voting for the third phase of Panchayat elections in Jammu and Kashmir at 2773 polling stations across the state, including 918, in Kashmir division and 1855, in Jammu division has started at 8:00, this morning, and will end up at 2:00 pm.
According to the Chief Electoral Officer, J&K, Shaleen Kabra, 727 polling stations have been categorized as hypersensitive in Phase-III, including 493, in Kashmir division and 234 in Jammu division.
He said 5239, candidates are in the fray in Phase-III for 358 Sarpanch and 1652, Panch seats, while 96, Sarpanchs and 1437, Panchs have been elected unopposed in this Phase.
He said in the areas going to polls in Phase-III, the electorate of 423592 will be voting for Sarpanch constituencies while 270668 will be voting for Panch constituencies. “Photo Voter Slips were distributed among the voters to inform them of their polling station,” he said.
Kabra said in the Phase-I of Panchayat Polls held on November 17, 2018, 74.1% polling was recorded across J&K including 64.5% in Kashmir division and 79.4% in Jammu division. In the Phase-II of Panchayat Polls held on November 20, 2018, overall 71.1% polling was witnessed across the State with an overwhelming 80.4% polling in Jammu division and 52.2% in Kashmir division.
The CEO appealed the voters to come forward and exercise their right to franchise in order to choose their local self-government to address their local needs.
