J-K: Polling for third phase of Panchayat polls underway

After a moderate voter turnout in the first two phases of Panchayat polls in the state of Jammu and Kashmir, the voting for the third phase is underway.

According to the Election Commission of India, a total of 1371 candidates are in the fray for 553 Sarpanch Halqas and 5,426 candidates for 4,279 Panch wards across the region for this phase of Panchayat elections.

The polling which commenced at 8 am will conclude at 2 pm.

The polling is being held in seven districts each in Jammu division and Kashmir Valley and two districts of Ladakh.

The areas witnessing polls in Jammu division are Drabshalla, Inderwal, Mughal Maidan and Nagsani in Kishtwar; Thathri, Chiralla and Kahara in Doda; Gool and Gundi Dharam in Ramban; Chenani and Chanunta in Udhampur; Keerian Gandyal, Nagri, Basohli and Bhoond in Kathua; Rajouri and Dhangri in Rajouri and Sathra, Nagali Sahib Sain Baba in Poonch.

The major blocks where voting is taking place today in Kashmir region are Kralpora, Meelyal, Reddi Chokibal and Handwara in Kupwara district; Sumbal in Bandipora district; Rohama and Baramulla in Baramulla district; Ganderbal block in Ganderbal district; Soibugh and Sursyar in Budgam district; Keller in Shopian district; DH Pora, DK Marg and Menzgam in Kulgam district.

In Ladakh region, the polling is underway in--Pashkum, South, TSG, Kargil and Zanskar in Kargil district and Chuchot, Thiksey, Leh, Nimoo and Saspol in Leh.

The first phase of Panchayat polls was held on November 17 that recorded about 74.1 per cent polling across the state, with 64.5 per cent in Kashmir division and 79.5 per cent in Jammu division.

"In the Phase-II of Panchayat polls held on November 20, overall 71.1 per cent polling was witnessed across the state. An overwhelming 80.4 per cent polling was witnessed in Jammu division and 52.2 per cent in Kashmir division," stated Chief Electoral Officer Shaleen Kabra.

These Panchayat elections were announced last month, but two major political parties which had dominated the region-- National Conference and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) boycotted the polls accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government of taking a firm stand on the protection of Article 35(A) of the Constitution which has been challenged in the Supreme Court.