Jammu and Kashmir panchayat polls: Voting in fifth phase underway amid tight security

Polling in the fifth of the nine phases of panchayat elections is underway in Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday amid heavy security arrangements. Polling commenced at 8 am and will end at 2 pm. Voting is being held at 37 blocks, including 18 in the Kashmir division and 19 in the Jammu division, officials said. As many as 2512 polling stations have been set up, including 1,743 in the Jammu division and 769 in the Valley. As many as 848 booths have been categorised as hypersensitive. A total of 4,763 candidates are in the fray for 309 sarpanch and 1,534 panch seats in this phase.

Jammu & Kashmir: 5th phase of polling for Panchayat elections underway at a polling booth in Rajouri. pic.twitter.com/SC6PastCx7

— ANI (@ANI) November 29, 2018

The sixth phase of panchayat polls will take place on December 1. The fourth phase conducted on November 27 saw a voter turnout of 71.3 percent.

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In the first phase that was held on November 17, 74.1 per cent polling was recorded across the state, including 64.5 per cent in the Kashmir division and 79.4 per cent in the Jammu division. 

On November 20, the second phase was held. Overall 71.1 per cent polling was recorded in the state, with 80.4 per cent in the Jammu division and 52.2 per cent in the Kashmir division.

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In the third phase, the state recorded a 75.2 per cent polling. The Kashmir division recorded 55.7 per cent and the Jammu division 83.0 per cent.  The officials said all arrangements, including those related to security, have been put in place for the smooth conduct of the polls.