jammunews

High alert in J&K ahead of third phase of civic polls

SRINAGAR, FEB. 5. With Anantnag and Pulwama in South Kashmir going to the third phase of the civic polls tomorrow, security forces are on maximum alert in view of the threat from militant groups to disrupt voting.

The highest number of candidates has been elected unopposed for many municipal committees. According to the State Election Office, only 69 of the 147 wards are witnessing a contest.

Of the 70 wards in Pulwama, only 14 are going to the polls. "Twenty-nine candidates were declared elected unopposed; there were no candidates in 27 wards and the election was countermanded in one ward after militants killed a candidate," an official said. There are six local bodies in the district.

In Anantnag district, the situation is comparatively better — the election is taking place in 55 out of 77 wards. In two wards of Mattan, no candidate came forward to file his nomination. Twenty candidates were declared elected unopposed.

There are 184 candidates in the fray for the 69 wards, with 153 candidates, including 51 women, contesting 55 seats in Anantnag.

Thirty-one candidates are contesting 14 seats in Pulwama. Of the 48 candidates elected unopposed, 35 belong to the ruling People's Democratic Party while its coalition partner, the Congress, has eight seats.

The opposition National Conference has bagged three uncontested seats while two have gone to Independents.