Srinagar, Nov 27 (UNI) Polling began in the fourth of nine-phased panchayat elections under unprecedented security arrangements to elect 2088 sarpanchs and panchs in Jammu and Kashmir, where 2618 polling booths have been set up for 8,04,662 electorate.
The Joint Resistance Leadership (JRL) has called for a general strike in poll-bound areas only today.
Polling began at 0800 hrs on a very dull note in majority areas in Kashmir valley, where good number of voters were out in Jammu region to exercise their democratic right to elect their representatives. However, the polling has started picking up as the day progresses. Authorities said voters will come out to exercise their right.
Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), J&K, Shaleen Kabra said 8,04,662 voters will exercise their franchise today to elect 2,088 sarpanchs and panchs in Jammu and Kashmir, where 2,618 polling booths have been set up.
He said 1,068 candidates have been elected unopposed.
He said out of 2,618 polling stations across the state, 639 are in Kashmir division and 1,979 in Jammu division. The timing for polling is from 0800 hrs to 1400 hrs.
He said 777 polling stations have been categorised as hypersensitive in Phase-IV including 571 in Kashmir division and 206 in Jammu division.
He said 5,470 candidates are in fray for 339 Sarpanch and 1,749 Panch seats in Phase-IV, while 99 Sarpanchs and 969 Panchs have been elected unopposed.
Mr Kabra said in the areas going to polls in Phase-IV, electorate of 4,72,160 will be voting for Sarpanch constituencies while 3,32,502 will be voting for Panch constituencies. 'Photo Voter Slips have been distributed among the voters to inform them of their polling station,' he said.
Mr Kabra said in the Phase-I of Panchayat Polls held on 17 November 2018, 74.1 per cent polling was recorded across the state including 64.5 per cent in Kashmir division and 79.4 per cent in Jammu division. In the Phase-II of Panchayat Polls held on November 20 2018, overall 71.1 per cent polling was witnessed across the State with an overwhelming 80.4 per cent polling in Jammu division and 52.2 per cent in Kashmir division.
He said in Phase-III, the State witnessed a polling percentage of 75.2 per cent which includes 55.7 per cent in Kashmir division and 83.0 per cent in Jammu division.

Results have been announced for all these by the respective Returning Officers except some of the constituencies of Block Mugal Maidan, Kishtwar due to the re-poll ordered at Panch Constituency-01 Hirkhani of Panchayat HalqaDrubeel and Sarpanch Constituency of Panchayat HalqaRahalthal. The re-poll shall be held along with the 4th phase.
UNI BAS SV 1038