Voting for the third phase of the urban local bodies elections is underway in Jammu and Kashmir. A total of 242 candidates - of which 84 are female candidates - are in the fray for 56 wards of Samba district. Total number of voters are 31818 which include 15,510 female voters will cast their votes at 57 poling booths. There are 19 Hypersensitive, 06 Sensitive and 32 Normal polling booths. Observers and Nodal Officers have been appointed to ensure fair and free election. The time of the polling is 6 am to 4 pm.
The last phase on October 16. Counting of votes will take place on October 20.
The first of the four-phased municipal elections was held on October 8 after a hiatus of 13 years; the second phase was held on October 10. While the urban body polls have seen satisfactory voter turnout in Jammu, the Kashmir valley has recorded a low voter turnout - only 3.4 per cent of 2.20 lakh electorate exercised their votes in the second phase, officials said.
Two key parties in the state -- the National Conference and Mehbooba Mufti's People's Democratic Party (PDP) -- have abstained from the elections over the centre's stand on Article 35-A, making it a contest between the BJP and the Congress. Terrorists had killed two National Conference workers on Friday and threatened against participating in the polls.
Here are the Highlights on the story:
From the highest turnouts since 1987 in 2014 to the lowest turnouts ever recorded in 2018 why is the Modi government able to get away with its disastrous handing of Kashmir almost unquestioned?
- Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) October 13, 2018
On reports of him becoming CM with the support of BJP, he said, "We are preparing for parliament elections. I can't talk about formation of government."
"Governor is human and honest person - he reflected what was emanating from the reports at an official and unofficial level - that he could be one of the contenders for the post of mayor. Junaid's name cropped up and we are supporting him. " he said.
A total of 3,372 nominations have been filed for 1,145 wards. Voting for the fourth and final phase of these elections will be held on October 16.
Mr Kabra said that to ensure free and fair elections, observers have been deployed, including micro-observers at 222 hypersensitive polling stations in the Kashmir Division and 19 in Jammu Division. He also said that Basic Minimum Facilities (BMF) have been ensured in all the polling stations across the state. Deputy Commissioners are undertaking videography of all critical events related to the poll process
"High time some people get off the moral high horse, anybody who disagrees with the two regional parties is labelled a BJP puppet by them, the fact is both NC and PDP have been in alliance with BJP before. So It is hilarious," he told news agency ANI.
In Jammu, there has been good voter turnout whereas in Srinagar there has been low voter turnout. In 2 hours, only 200 votes from have been cast in Srinagar.
Jammu & Kashmir: Voting underway for the third phase of urban local body polls; #visuals from a polling station in Samba pic.twitter.com/RpicBEOI4v
- ANI (@ANI) October 13, 2018
