The penultimate phase of the elongated 9-phase panhayat polls concluded peacefully in Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday with 79.9 per cent turnout—49.6 per cent in Kashmir division and 85.1 per cent in Jammu. The ninth and last phase of Panchayat elections is scheduled on December 11 Tuesday.
The highest 56.9 % voter turnout was recorded in Baramulla district in north Kashmir whileas lowest 9.1 % poll percentage was recorded in central Kashmir’s Budgam district.
According to Chief Electoral Officer for penultimate Phase-8, 1333 candidates were in fray for 483 Sarpanch Halqas and 5695 candidates for 3860 Panch wards across the State.
Pertinently, in Phase-7 held on December 4, overall poll percentage of 75.3% was witnessed across the State with 84.8% polling in Jammu division and 30.3% in Kashmir division.
In Phase-6 overall poll percentage of 76.9% was recorded including 17.3% in Kashmir division and 84.6% in Jammu division.
In Phase-5 poll percentage of 71.1% was witnessed across the State with 85.2% polling in Jammu division and 33.7% in Kashmir division. In Phase-4 JK witnessed 71.3% voting with 82.4% electors exercising their franchise in Jammu division and 32.3% in Kashmir division.
In Phase-3, the State witnessed a poll percentage of 75.2% including 55.7% in Kashmir division and 83.0% in Jammu division.
In Phase-2 overall 71.1% polling was witnessed across the State with 80.4% polling in Jammu division and 52.2% in Kashmir division and in Phase-1, 74.1% polling was recorded including 64.5% in Kashmir division and 79.4% in Jammu division.
As per CEO, the results have been announced for all these Phases by the respective Returning Officers.
Adequate security arrangements had been made including deployment of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) in the poll bound areas.
The separatist grouping "Joint Resistance Leadership-JRL" had called for shutdown in all poll bound areas in Kashmir region.
Meanwhile, the Election Commission has appointed senior Indian Administrative Service officer Shalendar Kumar as Chief Electoral Officer J&K replacing Shaleen Kabra. The change in state election commission guard xomea ahead of upcoming assembly and parliamentary elections.
