Fifth phase polling begins in Jammu Kashmir

Srinagar, Dec 13: Amid tight security fifth phase of polling began in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. Polling is being held in eleven constituencies in the districts of Kathua, Shopian and Pulwama. The 11 constituencies are Tral, Pampore, Pulwama and Rajpora in Pulwama district, Wachi and Shopian in Shopian district and Bani, Basohli, Kathua, Billawar and Hiranagar in Kathua district.

The fate of 179 contestants of which five are women will be decided on Saturday, Dec 13. The three women candidates are contesting from the districts of Pulwama, Shopian and Kathua districts. 58 independents are also trying their luck in this elections. Among these constituencies, Shopian and Tral have the distinction of having the highest number of 21 contestants each in the electoral fray.

PDP's Mehbooba Mufti who is contesting from Wachi in the Kashmir Valley is the only major candidate in this phase and there is heavy security for her. Two more phases of polling are left they will be held on the 17th and 24th of December.

The voter turnout so far in the first four phases of polling:-

-64 per cent in first phase on Nov 17
-65 per cent in second phase on Nov 23
-61 per cent in third phase on Nov 30
-56 per cent in fourth phase on Dec 7

OneIndia News (With inputs from Agencies)