Phase-V of Panchayat polls on Saturday

Srinagar: Amid tight security arrangements, nine blocks of the Jammu and Kashmir will go to polls under fifth round of multi-phased Panchayat elections on Saturday.
Official sources said that 2645 candidates are in fray for four blocks in Kashmir division including Rajwara, Wagoora, Khansahib and Damhal Hanjipora.
Five blocks in Jammu region going to polls include Arnas in Reasi, Panchari in Udhampur, Basohli in Kathua, Darhal and Budhai in Rajouri district.
For Wagoora block in north Kashmir Baramulla district, 299 candidates are in the fray including 257 male and 42 female candidates, the sources said.
In frontier district Kupwara’s Rajwara block, 696 candidates are in the contest. “While 118, all males, are in fray for Sarpanchs, 578 candidates are contesting for Panchs including 390 males and 188 females,” election officer, Tariq Ahmad Zargar told Press Bureau of India.
Twenty-four panch candidates have been declared unopposed in the polls, he added.
For Damhal Hanjopora in southern Kulgam district with fourth highest number of wards, a total of 886 candidates battle for Sarpanch and Panchs.  While 162 including a female candidate are in contest for Sarpachs, 724 are in fray for Panchs. Among the panchs, 243 are female candidates, the sources said.
Thirty-one contestants for panchs have been declared as winner unopposed, the sources added
Similarly, for Khansahib block in central Kashmir’s Budgam district, 764 candidates are in the fray for Sarpachs and Panchs in various wards. “171 candidates, all males, are in fray for Sarpanchs while 593 candidates including 288 females will vie for Panchs,” a concerned official said.
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.