11th phase of Panchyat polls on Wednesday

Srinagar: Amid elaborate security arrangements, eleventh round of the multi phased Panchayat polls in ten blocks of Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday. In Kashmir Valley, four blocks going to polls include Zaingeer in Baramulla district, Bandipora in Bandipora district, Pulwama in district Pulwama and Qazigund in Anantnag. In Jammu region, Drabshalla in district Kishtwar, Marmat in Doda, Ramsoo in Ramban, Bhalwal in Jammu district, Surankote and Bafliaz in Poonch district will also vote during the 11th phase.The polling will start at 08 am and conclude on 1400 while counting of votes will take place at 1500 hours. Reports from Baramulla said that 331 Panch and 150 Sarpanch candidates are in fray Zaiangeer block considered to be very sensitive of the Panchayat blocks. Elaborate security arrangements have been made at all the 290 polling booths in the block, correspondent quoting officials said. Pertinently, on may 10 last, unknown gunmen suspected to be militants had shot at and injured a panch candidate, Ghulam Mohiuddin at Machipora Zaingeer village. So far ten phases of the polls have been completed after beginning on April 13 last. The 12th phase will on May 29 while 13th to sixteen rounds are scheduled for June 2, June 6, June 11 and June 18 respectively.Panchayat polls are being held through ballot boxes as the State Panchayat Raj Act does not allow the use of Electronic Voting Machine (EVMs) in the polls. The polls are being conducted after ten years gap in the state.