5th phase of Panchayat Elections: Valley records 80 percent polling

Srinagar: Nearly 80 percent voting was recorded Saturday in the fifth phase of elections for Panchyat polls in four blocks in Kashmir valley, official sources told.
They said that 85 percent voters turned up to elect 36 Sarpanchs and 281 Panchs in Rajwara Block in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district. 696 candidates were in the contest. While 118 were in fray for Sarpanchs, 578 candidates including 390 males and 188 females battled it out for panch constituencies in the block.
For 35 Sarpanch and 274 Panch constituencies in Wagoora block in district Baramulla, 66 percent people cast their votes. 299 candidates including 257 male and 42 female candidates were in the fray.
83.18% polling was recorded in DH Pora in southern Kulgam district were 901 candidates were in contest for 53 Sarpanch and 322 Panch Constituencies, they said.
Similarly for Khansahib block in central Kashmir’s Budgam district, a total of 84% voters casted their votes to elect 50 Sarpanchs and 391 Panchs.  A total of 764 candidates were in the fray for Sarpachs and Panchs in various wards. While 171 candidates, all males, contested for Sarpanchs, 593 candidates including 288 females vied for Panch constituencies.
Besides four blocks in Kashmir Valley, five blocks in Jammu region went for polls under the fifth phase. The blocks—Arnas, Panchari, Basohli, Darhal and Budhal receorded 82.35%, 83.20 %, 74.33%, 83.28 % and 85.88 % 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. The sixth phase will be held 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.