J&K Panchayat polls: 79.9% voter turn out recorded in Phase VIII

An overall polling percentage of 79.9% was recorded at the end of phase-VIII of the panchayat polls here on Saturday.

According to the Chief Electoral Officer of Jammu and Kashmir, Shaleen Kabra, "A massive 85.1 per cent polling was witnessed in Jammu division and 49.6 per cent in Kashmir division."

Giving district-wise details, Kabra said that after the phase VIII, 53.8 per cent polling was recorded in Kupwara, Bandipora 18 per cent, Baramulla 56.9 per cent, Srinagar 11.6 per cent, Budgam 9.1 per cent, Reasi 89.8 per cent, Kathua 84 per cent, Samba 84 per cent, Jammu 84.8 per cent and Rajouri 82.4 per cent.

Kabra further said that 74.1 per cent polling was recorded in the phase-I of Panchayat polls, including 64.5 per cent in Kashmir division and 79.4 per cent in Jammu division.

The second phase of Panchayat polls held on 20 November 2018 witnessed 71.1 per cent polling across the State along with 80.4 per cent polling in Jammu division and 52.2 per cent in Kashmir division.

After the end of Phase-III, the State witnessed a poll percentage of 75.2 per cent, including 55.7 per cent in Kashmir division and 83.0 per cent in Jammu division.

The voter turnout recorded after the end of phase-IV was recorded as a total of 71.3 per cent voting along with 82.4 per cent in Jammu division and 32.3 per cent in Kashmir division.

In the Phase-V of Panchayat polls, the overall poll percentage was recorded at 71.1 per cent with 85.2 per cent polling in Jammu division and 33.7 per cent in Kashmir division.

Moreover, an overall poll percentage of 76.9 per cent was recorded at the end of Phase-VI along with a polling of 84.6 per cent in Jammu division and 17.3 per cent in the Kashmir division.

After the end of Phase-VII of Panchayat polls, a total of 75.3 per cent was witnessed with 84.8 per cent in Jammu division and 30.3 per cent in Kashmir division.

The ninth and final phase of panchayat elections is scheduled to take place on December 11.