State witnesses 76.9% voting in phase 6
84.6% voting in Jammu division and 17.3% in Kashmir division; Udhampur district topped the chart with 88.5% polling
: In the sixth phase of the nine-phased panchayat elections held across 15 districts of Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday, an overall poll percentage of 76.9% was witnessed across the state.
According to the chief electoral officer, Shaleen Kabra, a massive 84.6% polling was witnessed in Jammu division and 17.3% in Kashmir division in phase-6, which passed off peacefully.
The polling for phase-6 of the nine-phased panchayat elections began at 3,174 polling stations 410 in the Kashmir division and 2,764 in the Jammu division at 8 am and concluded at 2 pm.
Kabra said Bandipora witnessed 35.3% polling, Baramulla 12.1%, Ganderbal 41.5%, Srinagar 12.5%, Budgam 9%, Kulgam 4.6%, Anantnag 7.3%, Doda 80.4%, Ramban 81.5%, Udhampur 88.5%, Reasi 85.6%, Kathua 84%, Samba 84.7%, Jammu 87.1%, Rajouri 83.6% and Poonch 81.8%.
Like previous phases, Jammu division, however, recorded heavy turnout with Udhampur district topping the chart with 88.5 per cent of the people casting their votes.
A total of 771 polling stations-410 in the Kashmir division and 361 in the Jammu division– were categorised as hypersensitive.
Kabra said in phase-1 of panchayat polls held on November 17, 74.1% polling was recorded across J&K including 64.5% in Kashmir division and 79.4% in Jammu division. In phase-2 of the elections on November 20, overall 71.1% polling was witnessed across the state with 80.4% polling in Jammu division and 52.2% in Kashmir division. In phase-3, 75.2% polling was witnessed including 55.7% in Kashmir division and 83.0% in Jammu division and in phase-4, the state witnessed 71.3% polling with 82.4% in Jammu division and 32.3% in Kashmir division.
An overall poll percentage of 71.1% was witnessed across the state in phase-5, with 85.2% polling in Jammu division and 33.7% in Kashmir division.
As many as 7,156 candidates were in the fray for 406 sarpanch and 2,277 panch seats in the sixth phase, while 111 sarpanches and 1,048 panches were elected unopposed, the spokesperson said.
Chief secretary BVR Subrahmanyam was in Srinagar to monitor the election process in the Valley. (WITH AGENCY INPUTS)