Amid heavy security arrangements, the third phase of voting is underway in three Kashmir districts - Budgam, Pulwama and Baramulla with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah seeking re-election in the third round of staggered elections.
Abdullah is contesting from Beerwah in Budgam. Besides him, three state ministers and 10 more lawmakers are among 144 candidates on Tuesday. The ruling National Conference holds only four of the 16 seats going to polls while the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) represents nine, reports said.
Till noon voter turnout was highest in Charar-i-Sharief with 37. 6% attendance, followed by 37% in Uri, lowest 15% in Sopore.
Meanwhile, a petrol bomb was hurled by unidentified men at a polling station in Gulmarg constituency of Baramulla district, where polling is underway for 16 seats in the state.
Among the areas voting on Tuesday Uri, Sopore and Tral, where terrorists struck on Friday killing as many as 12 security personnel and one civilian.
The worst attack was at Uri where terrorists had sneaked into an army camp and killed nine soldiers and three policemen. Grenade attacks also took place in Tral on Friday and Sunday.
The Army said the attacks were meant to disrupt the elections after the record turnout of over 70 percent in the first two phases of polling.
The Narendra Modi-led Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) also targeted an unprecedented majority in the state’s 87-member assembly as part of what it calls its “Mission 50 plus”.
In Jharakhand, around 30 percent polling has taken place till 11 am in the third phase.
According to reports, Ranchi witnessed around 32% polling in the initial hours. The Silli constituency witnessed more 43% voting followed by Koderma where over 36% voter turnout was recorded.
Elections are held in 17 of the 81 seats in Jharkhand on Tuesday. The constituencies are spread over eight districts.
The fourth phase of elections will take place on December 14. The counting of votes will be held on December 23.
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