Voting underway for third phase of Jammu and Kashmir panchayat polls; polling to end at 2 pm

Jammu/Srinagar: Voting was underway on Saturday for the third phase of panchayat polls across Jammu and Kashmir amid tight security. Voting is taking place in 2,773 polling stations — 918 in Kashmir division and 1,855 in Jammu. [caption id=“attachment_5390101” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Representational image. PTI[/caption] Polling started at 8 am and will end at 2 pm. According to the state’s Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Shaleen Kabra, 727 polling stations have been categorized as hypersensitive — 493 in Kashmir and 234 in Jammu. He said 5,239 candidates were in the fray for 358 sarpanch and 1,652 panch seats, while 96 sarpanchs and 1,437 panchs have already been elected unopposed in this phase. “Photo Voter Slips have been distributed among the voters to inform them of their polling station,” the CEO said. Kabra said in the first phase of the panchayat polls held on 17 November, 74.1 percent polling was recorded. In phase two that took place on 20 November, an overall 71.1 per cent polling was witnessed. The CEO said Basic Minimum Facilities (BMF) have been ensured in all the polling stations across the state. Panchayat polls were last held in the state in 2011.