The elongated 9-phased panchayat polls crossed the half-way mark in Jammu & Kashmir on Thursday as 71.1 per cent voters exercised their right of franchise to elect village representatives in the fifth phase of the elections. Amid separatists’ call for shutdown in poll-bound areas, a meagre 33.7 per cent was recorded in Kashmir Valley while Jammu province recorded an impressive percentage of 85.2 per cent.

According to Chief Electoral Officer, Kupwara witnessed 42.5% polling, Bandipora 34.6%, Baramulla 32.9%, Ganderbal 20.3%, Budgam 34.8%, Pulwama 0.5 %, Anantnag 10.1 %, Doda 83.3%, Ramban 85.2%, Udhampur 82%, Reasi 89.1%, Jammu 88.9 %, Rajouri 82.8% and Poonch 84.5%.

The polling was held at 2512 polling stations including 769 in Kashmir division and 1743 in Jammu division.

As many as 848 polling stations had been categorized as hypersensitive including 755 in Kashmir division and 93 in Jammu division.

As many as 4763 candidates are in the fray for 309 sarpanch and 1534 Panch seats in Phase-V while 118 Sarpanchs and 1046 Panchs have been elected unopposed.

Pertinently, in Phase-I of Panchayat Polls held on 17 November 74.1% polling was recorded across J&K including 64.5% in Kashmir division and 79.4% in Jammu division. In the Phase-II of Panchayat Polls held on 20 November overall 71.1% polling was witnessed across the State with an overwhelming 80.4% polling in Jammu division and 52.2% in Kashmir division.

Similarly, in Phase-III, the State witnessed a polling percentage of 75.2% which includes 55.7% in Kashmir division and 83.0% in Jammu division. In Phase-IV, the state witnessed a polling percentage of 71.3%, including 82.4% polling was witnessed in Jammu division and 32.3% in Kashmir division.

Adequate security arrangements had been made including deployment of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) in the poll bound areas. 

Separatist leadership known as Joint Resistance Leadership (JRL) had called for shutdown in all poll-bound areas in Kashmir region.