New Delhi/Srinagar: 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:
Oct 13, 2018 18:24 (IST)
A high turnout of 80 per cent was recorded in Jammu's Samba district, officials said today.
Oct 13, 2018 17:56 (IST)
Safakadal, Chanapora wards record less than 10 votes each in third phase.
Oct 13, 2018 15:35 (IST)
In Jammu and Kashmir third phase of local body polls, voter turnout recorded till 2 pm in Baramulla is 72.7 percent, Samba with 73.9 percent, Anantnag with 2.7 percent and Srinagar with 1.5 percent.
Oct 13, 2018 13:52 (IST)
In Srinagar district, the voter turnout was very low with just 1.33 per cent, according to the officials.
Oct 13, 2018 13:52 (IST)
Jammu region's Samba district recorded an overwhelming 66 per cent voting during the first six hours in the third phase of the state's municipal polls on Saturday while Kashmir Valley witnessed a low turnout.
Oct 13, 2018 12:48 (IST)
Sajad Lone is only regional party leader participating in civic bodies elections in Kashmir. He defends Jammu and Kashmir Governor's remarks naming Mayor of Srinagar before polls.
"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.
Oct 13, 2018 11:44 (IST)
The elections for the fourth and final phase will be held tomorrow. The counting will take place on October 20.
Oct 13, 2018 11:20 (IST)
In Anantnag district, the voting percentage was 1.50 per cent while it was 0.4 per cent in Srinagar and 11 per cent in Baramulla district where voters turned out in good numbers in the Uri border town.
Oct 13, 2018 11:16 (IST)
In Pulwama and Bandipora districts, some candidates have been elected unopposed while in the other wards no candidate had filed papers for the third phase contest.
Oct 13, 2018 11:12 (IST)
Samba district recorded over 35 per cent of voting during the first four hours of third phase of the state's municipal polls on Saturday while the Kashmir Valley witnessed a low turnout.
Oct 13, 2018 11:10 (IST)
The municipal elections that are taking place after 13 years in the state, are being held in four phases, covering 79 municipal bodies with an electorate of about 17 lakh electors.
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.
Oct 13, 2018 10:58 (IST)
Control Rooms have been established in all the municipal bodies across the state to respond promptly to any complaints of violation of the model code of conduct (MCC) as also to disseminate information to the public.
Oct 13, 2018 10:37 (IST)
The Government has declared public holiday today, including under the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881, and therefore Government as well as private establishments are required to comply, a press release said. School Education Department and Labour Department have been specifically instructed to ensure adherence to this order. Usual facility to Central government officials for casting their vote shall the provided, the release said.
Oct 13, 2018 10:26 (IST)
Shaleen Kabra, the state's Chief Electoral Officer, said the overall poll percentage in the first two phases of the municipal polls that took place on October 8 and 10, has been 47.2 per cent.
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
Oct 13, 2018 10:18 (IST)
A total of 365 candidates are in the fray for 96 wards of eight urban local bodies comprising 193,990 electors. Additional staff were deployed at polling stations with large number of electors, poll officials said.
Oct 13, 2018 10:12 (IST)
Voting began at 6 am and will end at 4 pm in Jammu's Samba district and the valley's Srinagar, Anantnag, Baramulla, Pulwama and Bandipora districts.
Oct 13, 2018 08:42 (IST)
In the third phase for 96 wards, there are 365 candidates in fray and 300 polling stations are being established for 193990 electors belonging to 8 ULBs, according to a press release by the chief electoral officer of Jammu and Kashmir.