Srinagar
The voting for the last phase of Panchayat elections in Jammu and Kashmir at 452 polling stations across the state has started at 8:00, this morning, and will end up at 2:00 pm.
According to the Chief Electoral Officer, J&K, 346 polling stations have been categorized as hypersensitive in this Phase.
He said 430 candidates in the fray for 55 Sarpanch and 138 Panch seats while 68 Sarpanchs and 433 Panchs have been elected unopposed in this Phase.
He said in the areas going to polls in Phase-IX, the electorate of 68745 will be voting for Sarpanch constituencies and 20688 for Panch constituencies. “Photo Voter Slips have been distributed among the voters to inform them of their polling station,” he said.
CEO said in the in the Phase-VIII of Panchayat Polls, the overall poll percentage of 79.9% was witnessed across the State with 85.1% polling in Jammu division and 49.6% in Kashmir division.
In Phase-VII overall poll percentage of 75.3% was witnessed across the State with 84.8% in Jammu division and 30.3% in Kashmir division.
In Phase-VI overall poll percentage of 76.9% was witnessed across the State including 84.6% in Jammu division and 17.3% in Kashmir division.
In Phase-V, the State witnessed a poll percentage of 71.1% including 33.7% in Kashmir division and 85.2% in Jammu division.
In Phase-IV, the state witnessed a poll percentage of 71.3%, including 82.4% in Jammu division and 32.3% in Kashmir division.
In Phase-III, the State witnessed a poll percentage of 75.2% which includes 55.7% in Kashmir division and 83.0% in Jammu division.
In the Phase-II overall, 71.1% polling was witnessed across the State with 80.4% in Jammu division and 52.2% in Kashmir division.
And in the Phase-I, 74.1% polling was recorded across J&K including 64.5% in Kashmir division and 79.4% in Jammu division.
He said the Government has declared a holiday on the day of poll in the panchayat areas going to polls so as to enable the voters to cast their vote. He said special casual leave shall also be granted to the employees who have to go to other areas to exercise their right to franchise.
