Polling begins for fifth phase of J-K elections

Polling for 11 constituencies in the fifth round of the seven-phased assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir began today amid tight security and sub-zero temperatures in many areas.

"The voter turn-out was low this morning due to chilly conditions. However, 5,770 polling staff and 200 companies of security personnel took their positions at 1,154 polling booths by 7.30 am," official sources said.

Of these, 626 polling booths have been identified as "sensitive", 386 as "hypersensitive" and 142 as normal.

As many as 200 companies of security forces besides local police have been deployed at the polling booths spread over Pulwama, Shopian and Kathua districts to instill confidence among an electorate of over 8.38 lakh voters, they said.

With a record number of 179 candidates, including five women nominees and 58 independents in fray, the fight for the 11 seats is a multi-cornered contest. Against this, only 97 candidates were in fray in these 11 constituencies in 2002 assembly elections.

Militancy-infested Shopian and Tral segments have the maximum number of 21 candidates each followed by 20 in Kathua and 19 each in Pulwama and Wachhi.

Five women contestants in fray include PDP president Mehbooba Mufti, Aisha Nishat, Gulshan Parveen, Kanta Andotra and Rano Devi.

Mehbooba, who won the last assembly election from Pahalgam seat before being elected to Lok Sabha, is contesting from Wachhi seat this time.

Although there are 18 other candidates in the fray from Wacchi constituency, NC candidate Showkat Hussain Ganai and ex-MLA Khalil Naik of CPI(M) can pose a serious challenge for the PDP president.