Sixth phase of Panchayat polls on Wednesday

Srinagar: Amid elaborate security arrangements, nine blocks of Jammu and Kashmir will go to polls under sixth round of multi-phased Panchayat elections on Wednesday.Official sources said that 2563 candidates are in fray for four blocks in Kashmir division including Langate (Kupawara), Tangmarg (Baramulla), Khag (Budgam) and Breng (Anantnag).They said that there will be no polling in thirteen constituencies—two Sarpach and 11 Panch—as no candidate filed nomination papers for theses posts.In Langate block of north Kashmir’s frontier district, 672 candidates are in the fray for 52 Sarpach and 419 Panch constituencies.“While 199, all males, are in fray for Sarpanchs, 620 candidates including 459 males and 161 females are contesting for Panchs,” election officer, Tariq Ahmad Zargar told Press Bureau of India.104 panch candidates have been declared unopposed in the polls while there are two vacancies for Sarpch constituencies in the block, he added.For Breng block in southern Anantnag district, a total of 1060 candidates will battle it out for Sarpanch and Panchs constituencies.  “While 215 candidates including 213 male and two women candidate are in contest for 58 Sarpach constituencies, 845 candidates including 269 females are in fray for 416 Panch constituencies,” election officer Nissar Hussein said.  He said that two Sarpanchs and 57 Panchs have been declared unopposed in the block.Similarly, for Khag block in central Kashmir’s Budgam district, 496 candidates are in the fray for Sarpachs and Panchs in the block. “93 candidates, all males, are in fray for Sarpanchs while 403 candidates will vie for Panchs constituencies,” election officer, Mohammad Ashraf Dijoo, told PBI.He said that eleven Panch constituencies were vacant in the block as no candidate offered candidature while 38 entrants were declared winners unopposed.   For Tangmarg block, a total of 335 candidates are in fray for Sarpanch and Panch constituencies while 83 candidates have been declared winners unopposed. Five constituencies going to polls in Jammu include Reasi (Reasi district), Majalta (Udhampur), Billawar (Kathua), Doongi and Thanamandi (Rajouri).So far five phases of the polls have been completed after beginning on April 13 last. The seven phase will be held on May 8 while 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.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.