263 J&K wards to go to polls today
PHASE 2 1,029 candidates in fray, tight security in place
JAMMU: After violence-free first phase polling of the urban local body polls across Jammu and Kashmir on Monday, a total of 263 municipal wards including 49 in Kashmir and 214 in Jammu will go to polls under tight security arrangements in the second phase on Wednesday.
“For 263 wards, 214 in Jammu division and 49 in Kashmir, the number of candidates in the fray is 1,029. Polling will take place at 544 polling stations, 270 in Kashmir and 274 in Jammu. In the poll-bound areas, the total electorate is 3,46,980, with 1,28,104 in Jammu belonging to 18 municipal bodies and 2,18,876 in Kashmir of five municipal bodies,” said chief electoral officer Shaleen Kabra in an official statement.
In Jammu region, six districts, Kishtwar, Doda, Ramban, Udhampur, Reasi and Kathua, and in Kashmir seven districts, Kupwara, Bandipora, Baramulla, Srinagar, Budgam, Kulgam and Anantnag, will go to polls.
As many as 1,029 candidates are in the fray. Notably, 65 candidates have already been elected unopposed, largely in Kashmir.
Chief electoral officer of the state Shaleen Kabra has increased polling time by one hour from 6am to 4pm.
As per the schedule, 20 wards of Srinagar municipal corporation (SMC) and municipal bodies in Langate, Sumbal, Kunzar, Watergam, Charar-e-Sharief, Beerwah, Magam, Yaripora, Frisal, Bijbehara and Anantnag will go to polls in the second phase.
In Jammu region, polling for the second phase will be held for civic bodies in Kishtwar, Doda, Bhaderwah, Thathri, Ramban, Banihal, Batote, Udhampur, Ramnagar, Chenani, Reasi, Katra, Kathua, Hiranagar, Nagri Parole, Lakhanpur, Billawar and Basohli.
Kathua deputy commissioner Rohit Khajuria informed that tight security arrangements have been made and central forces have been dispatched to the polling stations.
He said, “Vehicles with polling staff and security personnel were dispatched to remote areas like Basohli and Billawar in Kathua district on Tuesday morning. There are 113 stations in Kathua district that include 15 hypersensitive and 45 sensitive polling stations.” “We are hopeful of good voter turnout.”