2nd phase of Panchayat elections in J&K end

Polling ended peacefully on Tuesday in the second phase of Panchayat elections in Jammu and Kashmir, with an overall voter turnout of 69.4 per cent although Anantnag saw a bare 0.9 per cent voting.

In the troubled Kashmir Valley, 52.3 per cent voters exercised their franchise while the turnout was 80.1 per cent in Jammu region.

The highest voting of 68 per cent was registered in Kupwara and Bandipora districts in the Valley and the lowest in Anantnag -- known to be home to many militant sympathizers.

"No untoward incident was reported from anywhere," an official said.

Voting started for the second phase of Panchayat polls in Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday amid tight security.

Large contingents of police and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) were deployed at the polling stations.

The winter chill allowed very few voters to take to polling in the troubled Kashmir Valley while small queues were seen at many polling stations in the Jammu region since morning.

The election, which began at 8 a.m. and ended at 2 p.m., was held at 2,179 polling stations: 828 in the Valley and 1,351 in Jammu division.

A total of 4,014 candidates were in the fray for 281 Sarpanch and 1,286 Panch seats in the second phase. Ninety Sarpanchs and 1,069 Panchs have already been elected unopposed.

Panchayat polls are being held in nine phases in Jammu and Kashmir.

For the first phase of polling on November 17, an overall percentage of 74.1 was registered in the state.

Panchayat polls were last held in the state in 2011.

The third phase of the Panchayat polls is set for November 24.

--IANS

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