Second phase of polling underway in J-K

Srinagar, Nov 23 : Second phase of polling is going on in Jammu and Kashmir today. Six constituencies where the votes are being polled include Rajouri, Naushera, Darhal and Kalakot in Rajouri district and Ganderbal and Kangan in Ganderbal district.

Polling of votes has started at eight in the morning and will close at four in the afternoon. Tight security arrangements have been made at all polling stations.

The Election Commission has appointed 110 observers in Rajouri District to keep vigil on violence-prone sensitive stations.

More than 3,53,000 voters will decide the fate of 59 candidates including 27 independents. Central Paramilitary forces will man all 454 polling stations while the army personnel will provide additional security cover in sensitive areas.

Security is especially tight in about 200 polling stations situated near the Line of Control.

The Election Commission on Sunday directed the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) to ensure that the political functionaries shall not be allowed to remain present in the constituencies in which they are not electors after the period of campaigning is over in Jammu and Kashmir.

Meanwhile, filing of nominations for the sixth phase of polls began in Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday.

In the first four phases, the number of candidates showed a marked increase this time as compared to last time. In the Kashmir division the number has gone up to more than double. Meanwhile, high-pitched campaigning is going on peacefully for the 3rd, 4th and 5th phase of elections.

ANI