J&K Panchayat polls: Voting begins in 47 blocks in 1st phase

Srinagar, Nov 17: Polling commenced in 47 blocks in the first of the nine phase panchayat elections in Jammu and Kashmir amid unprecedented security arrangements following a general strike called by separatists and apprehension of militant attempt to disrupt the process.

The polling began at 0800 hrs on a dull note with hardly any voting during the first two hours in Kashmir valley, where voting is being held in 16 blocks in the first phase on Saturday.

However, the situation in Jammu and Ladakh region was entirely different as several voters were seen moving towards polling booths to exercise their democratic right.

Thousands of security forces and state police personnel, wearing bullet proof jackets and headgear, were deployed to provide safe and secure environment to voters to cast their votes.

Polling started in all the 1,303 polling stations spread over six Kashmir districts. The areas which are going to polls in the valley in the first phase include Keran, Ramhal, Tarathpora, Teetwal and Tangdar in Kupwara; Gurez, Baktoor and Tulail in Bandipora; Kunzer, Uri, Parenpillan, Noorkah and Kandi-Belt Rafiabad in Baramulla; Gund in Ganderbal; Khanmoh in Srinagar and Khansahib in Budgam district.

However, two regional mainstream political parties, National Conference (NC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) besides Communist Party of India (M) have stayed away from the polls on the issue of Article 35 A as they wanted centre and state to clear their stand on the issue.

The Congress initially announced not to contest the polls but later took a U-turn and decided to field candidates. However, Governor Satya Pal Malik questioned NC and PDP boycott and said when both the parties took part in Kargil Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC), Kargil the issue of Article 35 A was there.

J&K’s Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Shaleen Kabra said for phase one of the panchayat polls on Saturday, 427 candidates are in the fray for 536 sarpanch halaqas and 5951 candidates for 4048 panch wards in J&K.

Mr Kabra said polls will be held at 3296 polling stations across J&K, including 1303 in Kashmir and 1993 in Jammu division, on Saturday. “The poll timing is 0800 hrs to 1400 hrs,” he said.

The CEO said 5,585 candidates are in the fray for 420 sarpanch and 1845 panch seats in phase one. “85 sarpanchs and 1,676 panchs have already been elected unopposed in phase one,” he added.

He said 687 polling stations have been categorised as hypersensitive, including 491 in Kashmir and 196 in Jammu division.