J&K Panchayat elections: Over 75 per cent polling recorded

Srinagar, Dec 4: Overall 75.3 per cent polling was recorded across Jammu and Kashmir in the Phase-VII of Panchayat Polls held on Tuesday.

According to the Chief Electoral Officer J&K, Shaleen Kabra, 84.8% polling was witnessed in Jammu division and 30.3% in Kashmir division. Voting was held in 2714 polling stations across the state.

J&K's chief electoral officer ShaleenKabra said that 892 polling stations have been categorised as "hypersensitive" in this phase, including 428 in Kashmir division and 464 in Jammu division. The polling time is 8 am to 2 pm, according to Greater Kashmir.

In the seventh phase, 5575 candidates are in the fray for 341 sarpanch and 1798 panch seats, while 85 sarpanchs and 912 panchs have been elected "unopposed" in this phase.

In the Valley, 17.7 per cent voters turned out to exercise their vote in the sth pahse of the election. In Ganderbal district, 41.5 per cent voters turned out and just 4.6 per cent came out to vote in Kulgam district.

In a re-poll held in Kupwara district, 81.9 per cent votes were cast. In the Jammu division, 83.7 per cent voter turnout was recorded. For the entire state, the overall voter turnout was 76.2 per cent.