Panchayat polls: J-K records 71.3% voter turnout in fourth phase

The state of Jammu and Kashmir recorded a voter turnout of 71.3 per cent in the fourth phase of panchayat elections on Tuesday.

The Jammu division witnessed an overall voter turnout of 82.4 per cent while 32.3 per cent turnout in the Kashmir Valley.

The voter turnout recorded in other areas of Jammu division and Kashmir division are - Kupwara 56.1 per cent, Bandipora 24.4 per cent, Baramulla 62.4 per cent, Budgam 46.3 per cent, Pulwama 0.6 per cent, Kulgam 14.5 per cent, Anantnag 6.2 per cent, Kishtwar 82.3 per cent, Doda 84.6 per cent, Ramban 81.1 per cent, Udhampur 78.9 per cent, Kathua 80.7 per cent, Jammu 85.2 per cent, Rajouri 81.8 per cent and Poonch 82.5 per cent.

After withdrawal and scrutiny, over 5400 candidates were in the fray for 339 Sarpanch and 1749 Panch seats in the fourth phase. So far, 99 Sarpanchs and 969 Panchs have been elected unopposed.

This is the first time in the fourth phase that as many as 17 districts out of 22 have gone for elections in a single phase. The previous three phases were confined to only 14 to 15 districts.

The third phase of the nine-phase panchayat elections was held on November 24 recording a voter turnout of 75.2 per cent.