8th phase of J&K Panchayat Polls records 79.9% voter turnout

JAMMU/ SRINAGAR: Eighth phase of nine-phased Jammu and Kashmir Panchayat Elections 2018 was held on December 8, 2018. It recorded 79.9 per cent voter turnout.

Five districts of Jammu Division recorded 85.1 per cent polling whereas 49.6 per cent voting was recorded in five districts of Kashmir. Reasidistrict in Jammu Division recorded the highest voting percentage of 89.8 per cent. Baramulla district in Kashmir division took the lead with 56.9 per cent polling.

Polling took place for 331 sarpanch and 2007 panch seats.6304 candidates were in fray. 43 Sarpanch and 681 Panch were elected unopposed.

2633 polling stations were set up–550 in Kashmir Division and 2083 in Jammu Division. Out of these 361 were categorized as Hypersensitive–171in Kashmir Division and 190 in Jammu Division.

Basic minimum facilities were ensured in all polling stations. Security arrangements were made including deployment of Central Armed Police Force (CAPF).

The last phase of panchayat polls will be held on December 11, 2018 from 8 am to 2 pm.