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J&K urban bodies’ elections HIGHLIGHTS: Single digit voting percentage in Valley except Bandipora till 12 noon

The second phase of urban bodies’ elections in Jammu and Kashmir, being held on Wednesday, covers 384 wards and has 1,094 candidates in the fray. Separatists had called for a shutdown in the areas going to polls.

By HT Correspondent | Oct 10, 2018 20:17 IST
highlights

Polling in the second phase of urban local bodies’ elections, covering more than 380 local bodies spread over 13 districts of Jammu and Kashmir, is being held on Wednesday..

This phase covers 384 wards (166 in Kashmir and 218 in Jammu) spanning six districts in Jammu and seven in the Valley and has 1,094 candidates in the fray. Of these, 65 candidates, including 61 in Kashmir, have won the polls uncontested. No polling will take place at 56 wards in the Valley as no nomination was received.

The polling time for the second phase has been increased by one hour. It began at 6 am and will continue till 4 pm.

The elections, being held in four phases, began on October 8 and will end on October 16. Separatists have asked people to observe a shutdown in the areas going to polls in second phase in these “sham elections”. Two main regional parties, the National Conference and the Peoples Democratic Party, have boycotted the polls.

The first phase on Monday saw a voter turnout of 8.3% in the Kashmir Valley, while more than 65% of the electorate voted in the Jammu and Ladakh divisions. Kathua deputy commissioner, Rohit Khajuria, however, said tight security arrangements have been made and central forces stationed at polling stations to help carry out free and fair polls. “We are hopeful of a good voter turnout in a peaceful atmosphere,” he said.

Here are the highlights:

2:45pm IST

Municipal elections being held in J-K after 13 years

Municipal elections in Jammu and Kashmir are being held after 13 years.

1:10pm IST

Two lone candidates declared elected unopposed in Kulgam, Badgam

Two lone candidates declared elected unopposed in Kulgam and Badgam districts. With this, the poll process in these two districts of the Kashmir ended on Wednesday.

1pm IST

Single digit voting percentage in Kashmir Valley except Bandipora till 12 noon

The Jammu division saw brisk polling but the voting percentage remained in single digit in the Kashmir Valley except for Bandipora district, during the first four hours. Bandipora recorded 22% voting till 12 noon compared to 63% in Ramban.

12:20pm IST

Former militant Farooq Ahmad Khan, contesting on BJP ticket, casts his vote

11:30am IST

Voting process robust, voters feeling safe, says Bandipora SSP

“Our security arrangements are robust. Voting process is going on very well. Voters are feeling safe. People are coming out in large numbers to cast their vote”: SSP Bandipora Zulfikar Azad on voting for the second phase of local body elections in J-K

11:10am IST

Srinagar records 0.8% voting, Kathua 39.4% till 10am

The Valley continues to record low polling percentage, with 0.8% in Srinagar and 0.6% in Anantnag till 10am. In comparison, Kathua had recorded 39.4% and Reasi 35.7%.

10:10am IST

Low polling percentage in Kashmir Valley, 0.2% voter turnout in Srinagar till 8an

9:20am IST

BJP candidate in Ramban dies of cardiac arrest, polling cancelled

BJP candidate from ward no. 2 of Ramban, Azad Singh, died due to cardiac arrest early on Wednesday morning following which polling was cancelled in the ward.

9:15am IST

61 candidates in fray for 18 seats in Ramban district

There are 61 candidates in the fray for contesting for 18 seats in Ramban district.

9am IST

3 Cong candidates elected unopposed in Banihal

Till 8 am, 14 percent polling was reported from Ramban,Batote and Banihal districts of Jammu. Three candidates belonging to Congress party were already elected unopposed in Banihal.

8:35am IST

People queue up to vote in Udhampur

8:25am IST

Low voter turnout in Kashmir Valley in first phase on Monday

The first phase of urban local bodies elections in the state on Monday drew tepid response in Kashmir Valley and saw a low voter turnout of 8.3%.

8am IST

Voting in progress at a polling booth in Srinagar

7:40am IST

Mobile internet services suspended in south Kashmir

Mobile internet services have been suspended in the entire south Kashmir as voting for 13 districts in the second phase of urban local bodies elections takes place in the state. The mobile internet services have been reduced to 2G in rest of Kashmir.

IST

7:10am IST

Shutdown call by separatists in poll-bound areas

Separatists have asked people to observe a shutdown in the areas going to polls in second phase in these “sham elections”. Joint Resistance Leadership, comprising Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, and Mohammad Yasin Malik, in a statement, said, “People will show their total disconnect and dismissal by staying away and boycotting this drama.”

7am IST

Voters begin arriving early to cast their votes.

Voters began arriving at polling booths since early morning to cast their votes in the second phase of urban bodies elections in Jammu and Kashmir.