Jammu, May 21: Violence again hit the Panchayat elections in Jammu region with 28 people, including five policemen, injured in the 10th phase of multi-phased polls that witnessed overall 77.14 percent polling in eleven blocks of the state.

Five blocks of Kashmir division comprised Teetwal in Kupwara, Pattan in Baramulla, Hajin in Bandipora, Keller (main block) in Pulwama and Dachipora in Islamabad (Anantnag) while six blocks of Jammu included Inderwal in Kishtwar, Assar and Thathri in Doda, Banihal in Ramban, Khour in Jammu and Balakote in Poonch went to poll in the 10th phase.

The administration, however, claimed that polling completed peacefully in all blocks of the state except sporadic incidents of clashes in Balakote and Banihal blocks.

The Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) B R Sharma ordered re-poll in Panch Ward number 2 of Panchayat Halqa Bhagwan Chak of block Khour after complaints of wrong printing of ballot paper.

The poll percentage remained 87 % in Teetwal, 65 % in Pattan, 83.70 % in Hajin, 61 % in Keller (main block), 73 % in Dachnipora, 82 % in Inderwal, 84 % in Assar, 74.50 % in Thathri, 83.93 % in Banihal, 86.50 % in Khour and 85 % in Balakote.

As many as 2, 99,520 out of total 3, 88,266 voters exercised their franchise, electing 304 Sarpanches and 2160 Panches in 11 blocks of the state.

Two Panch constituencies, comprising Harinara in Singhpora block of Baramulla district and Bhaiya in Hiranagar block of district also witnessed re-polling with 82.90 % and 80 % electorates turning at polling stations in these segments respectively.
Contd.Panchayat on page 10

Lastupdate on : Sat, 21 May 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sat, 21 May 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sun, 22 May 2011 00:00:00 IST