J&K panchayat-polls: Kashmir records 19%, Jammu 61% polling in fifth-phase
Kashmir recorded over 19% polling while Jammu registered over 61% voting till noon in the fifth-phase of the Jammu and Kashmir panchayat elections today. The polling began at 8am and ended at 2pm in 2,512 polling stations, including 1,743 stations in Jammu and 769 in Kashmir. Jammu's Poonch district recorded the highest polling of 72%, while Kashmir's Pulwama district recorded the lowest at 0.2%.
848 polling stations categorized as 'hypersensitive'
Among other Jammu districts, Ramban, Rajouri and Udhampur witnessed 63.9%, 60.4% and 60.3% polling, respectively. It was followed by Jammu 59.1%, Reasi 56.2% and Doda 55.9%. In Kashmir, Kupwara district topped with 30.7%, followed by Bandipora with 30%, Badgam 29.8%, Baramulla 26.1%, Ganderbal 13.2% and Anantnag with 6.7%. About 848 polling-stations have been categorized as 'hypersensitive', including 755 in Kashmir and 93 in Jammu.
Over 4,700 candidates contesting for 309 sarpanch seats
4,763 candidates are contesting for 309 sarpanch and 1,534 panch seats in the fifth-phase, while 118 sarpanchs and 1,046 panchs have been elected unopposed. In the areas going to polls today, an electorate of 4,04,283 will be voting for sarpanch constituencies and 2,70,295 for panch-constituencies.
74.1% polling recorded in first phase, 71.1% in second phase
In the first phase of the panchayat polls held on November 17, an estimated 74.1% polling was recorded across the state, including 64.5% in Kashmir division and 79.4% in Jammu division. In the second phase held on November 20, overall 71.1% polling was witnessed across the state with an overwhelming 80.4% polling in Jammu division and 52.2% in Kashmir division.
75.2% polling recorded in third phase, 71.3% in fourth phase
In the third phase, the state witnessed a polling percentage of 75.2%, which included 55.7% in Kashmir division and 83.0% in Jammu division. In the fourth phase, the state witnessed a polling percentage of 71.3%, including 82.4% polling in Jammu division and 32.3% in Kashmir division. The results of all the phases have been announced by the respective returning officers, officials said.
