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More than 70 per cent vote in J&K panchayat poll

Despite threats from terrorists to boycott the panchayat (rural local body) elections in the state, more than 70 per cent voters turned up to cast their votes in Rajouri, Poonch and Kupwara districts of Jammu & Kashmir in the first phase on Monday.

An official spokesman told the United News of India in Jammu that 68 per cent polling was recorded in Poonch, 85 per cent in Rajouri and 48 per cent in Kupwara.

The highest polling of 87 per cent was recorded in Nowshera block of Rajouri district and the lowest, 48 per cent, in Kupwara district. But voting was peaceful in all three terrorist-infested districts.

He said polling for 125 panchayats in these three districts was held from 0900 to 1400 IST. Of these, 38 panchayats are located in Poonch, 60 in Rajouri and 27 in Kupwara.

The second and third phase of polling will be held on January 17 and 19, respectively, the spokesman said. The panchayat elections, held in the state after 23 years, are being conducted through a secret ballot.

He said 1,125 polling stations had been set up for panchs and sarpanchs, and the political fate of 1,667 candidates was sealed on Monday.

Adequate security arrangements were made with deployment of the Central Reserve Police Force, Border Security Force and local police.

The counting of votes will be taken up at 379 counting stations, the spokesman said.

UNI

EARLIER REPORT:
Polling rescheduled in parts of J&K

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