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J&K, Jharkhand undergo third phase assembly polls

by IBNS 09 Dec 2014, 11:22 am

Srinagar, Dec 9 (IBNS): 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 in Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday.

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.

Among the areas voting on Tuesday are 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 the Lok Sabha elections held in May this year, the BJP had registered its best performance ever in the Valley by winning three of the six seats. The PDP won the rest wiping out the National Conference-Congress combine.

On the other hand, elections are also 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.