The multi-phase Panchayat polls Wednesday began on a healthy note as nearly 80 percent electorate turned up at the polling stations in eight blocks of the state, five in Kashmir and three in Jammu. The voting went off peacefully and no untoward incident or violence was reported from anywhere.
Five blocks in Kashmir valley witnessed brisk voting with Kupwara recording the highest 87 percent voting. Three blocks of Jammu region including Udhampur, Samba and Bishnah also witnessed over 80 percent polling. As many as 288 Sarpanches and 2118 Panches were in fray in these blocks.
According to the State Electoral Department, Udhampur, Samba and Bishnah blocks witnessed 80.49 percent, 82 percent and 80 percent polling respectively while in Kashmir region, Budgam, Quimoh (main block) in Kangan district, Qaimooh partly (main block in district Kangan) in Anantnag district and Kangan saw 72 percent, 77.87 percent, 77.34 percent and 77.87 percent polling respectively. A good number of women also turned up at the polling booths to exercise their franchise. Women have 33 percent reservation in Panch constituencies but there is no reservation for them in Sarpanch segments.
The Panchayat polls are being held in the state after a gap of 10 years. The elections to the Panchayats were held in 2000-01 after a gap of 23 years. The polls could not be held in 2006 due to fragile security situation.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, however, wrote on micro-blogging site Twitter: “In reality this is 1st Panchayat election after 33 years. 2000 was only on papers. More than 1/2 of seats remained empty.”
The second phase of polling will be held on April 17, third on April 21, fourth on April 25, fifth on April 30, sixth on May 4, seventh on May 8, eighth on May 12, ninth on May 16 and the 10th to 16th phases will be held on May 21, May 25, May 29, June 2, June 6, June 11 and June 18 respectively.
Over 50 lakh voters will exercise their right to franchise to elect 4130 Sarpanchs (2164 in Kashmir and 1966 in Jammu) and 29,719 Panchs (15,959 in Kashmir and 13,760 in Jammu). There are a total of 143 blocks in 22 districts of the state, which would go to polls (77 in Kashmir and 66 in Jammu). The figures of Ladakh region have been included in Kashmir. In Ladakh region, Leh has 62,606 votes and Kargil 71,765.
For smooth conduct of the polls across the state, the state Electoral Department had arranged 14000 ballot boxes. Since 6000 ballot boxes were available within the state, approximately 8000 had been hired from Punjab at the cost of Rs 10 per day per ballot box.
KHALID GUL ADDS FROM ISLAMABAD (ANANTNAG):
The Qoimoh block that went to polls today, is divided in two revenue districts of Islamabad (Anantnag) and Kulgam. “Islamabad consists of 13 Halkas while as Kulgam comprises of 23 Halkas. 36 Sarpanch Halkas comprising of 255 wards underwent polling today out of 36 Halkas, 31 went to polls to elect Sarpanchs while as four were elected as unopposed. One seat lies vacant,” an official said.
Out of 255 wards, elections were held for 155 Panchs while 84 were elected unopposed and 16 were vacant.
“About 57 percent voters cast their votes in the Halkas falling under revenue district of Islamabad,” Deputy Commissioner Islamabad Kifayat Hussain Rizvi said.
About 71.34 polling was recorded in the Halkas falling under Revenue district Kulgam. “Out of 29906, 213336 votes were polled,” Deputy Commissioner Kulgam, Farooq Ahmad, said.
SHAHID RAFIQ ADDS FROM KUPWARA:The multi-phase Panchayat polls Wednesday began on a healthy note as nearly 80 percent electorate turned up at the polling stations in eight blocks of the state, five in Kashmir and three in Jammu. The voting went off peacefully and no untoward incident or violence was reported from anywhere.
Five blocks in Kashmir valley witnessed brisk voting with Kupwara recording the highest 87 percent voting. Three blocks of Jammu region including Udhampur, Samba and Bishnah also witnessed over 80 percent polling. As many as 288 Sarpanches and 2118 Panches were in fray in these blocks.
According to the State Electoral Department, Udhampur, Samba and Bishnah blocks witnessed 80.49 percent, 82 percent and 80 percent polling respectively while in Kashmir region, Budgam, Quimoh (main block) in Kangan district, Qaimooh partly (main block in district Kangan) in Anantnag district and Kangan saw 72 percent, 77.87 percent, 77.34 percent and 77.87 percent polling respectively. A good number of women also turned up at the polling booths to exercise their franchise. Women have 33 percent reservation in Panch constituencies but there is no reservation for them in Sarpanch segments.
The Panchayat polls are being held in the state after a gap of 10 years. The elections to the Panchayats were held in 2000-01 after a gap of 23 years. The polls could not be held in 2006 due to fragile security situation.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, however, wrote on micro-blogging site Twitter: “In reality this is 1st Panchayat election after 33 years. 2000 was only on papers. More than 1/2 of seats remained empty.”
The second phase of polling will be held on April 17, third on April 21, fourth on April 25, fifth on April 30, sixth on May 4, seventh on May 8, eighth on May 12, ninth on May 16 and the 10th to 16th phases will be held on May 21, May 25, May 29, June 2, June 6, June 11 and June 18 respectively.
Over 50 lakh voters will exercise their right to franchise to elect 4130 Sarpanchs (2164 in Kashmir and 1966 in Jammu) and 29,719 Panchs (15,959 in Kashmir and 13,760 in Jammu). There are a total of 143 blocks in 22 districts of the state, which would go to polls (77 in Kashmir and 66 in Jammu). The figures of Ladakh region have been included in Kashmir. In Ladakh region, Leh has 62,606 votes and Kargil 71,765.
For smooth conduct of the polls across the state, the state Electoral Department had arranged 14000 ballot boxes. Since 6000 ballot boxes were available within the state, approximately 8000 had been hired from Punjab at the cost of Rs 10 per day per ballot box.
KHALID GUL ADDS FROM ISLAMABAD (ANANTNAG):
The Qoimoh block that went to polls today, is divided in two revenue districts of Islamabad (Anantnag) and Kulgam. “Islamabad consists of 13 Halkas while as Kulgam comprises of 23 Halkas. 36 Sarpanch Halkas comprising of 255 wards underwent polling today out of 36 Halkas, 31 went to polls to elect Sarpanchs while as four were elected as unopposed. One seat lies vacant,” an official said.
Out of 255 wards, elections were held for 155 Panchs while 84 were elected unopposed and 16 were vacant.
“About 57 percent voters cast their votes in the Halkas falling under revenue district of Islamabad,” Deputy Commissioner Islamabad Kifayat Hussain Rizvi said.
About 71.34 polling was recorded in the Halkas falling under Revenue district Kulgam. “Out of 29906, 213336 votes were polled,” Deputy Commissioner Kulgam, Farooq Ahmad, said.
SHAHID RAFIQ ADDS FROM KUPWARA:Brisk voter turnout marked the first phase of Panchayat polls in block Kupwara. A relatively high voter turn of 87 per cent was recorded around the closing time of polling as per the Government figures.
“There was free and fair polling and 87% voting has been recorded in the 56 Panchayat halqas,” said Muhammad Shafi Rather, DC Kupwara who is also the District Panchayat Election Officer.Brisk voter turnout marked the first phase of Panchayat polls in block Kupwara. A relatively high voter turn of 87 per cent was recorded around the closing time of polling as per the Government figures.
“There was free and fair polling and 87% voting has been recorded in the 56 Panchayat halqas,” said Muhammad Shafi Rather, DC Kupwara who is also the District Panchayat Election Officer.
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