Campaigning for the fifth phase of polling, scheduled to be held on December 13 in 11 segments, came to an end today with People's Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti
SRINAGAR: Campaigning for the fifth phase of polling, scheduled to be held on December 13 in 11 segments, came to an end today with People's Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti and 178 other candidates making a last ditch effort to swing voters in their favour.
More than 8.38 lakh voters, including 4.01 lakh women, would exercise their franchise for which election authorities have set up 1,089 polling stations.
11 constituencies spread over three districts of Pulwama (4), Shopian (2) and Kathua (5) are going to booths on Saturday. Tightening security, 100 additional companies of security forces are being deployed in poll-bound areas.
Barring some anti-poll protests in Pulwama town, the campaigning was peaceful with parties holding more than 260 rallies and meetings to reach out to the electorate.
While electioneering was vigorous in Kathua district, attacks on leaders and activists dampened election fervour in Shopian and Pulwama districts.
It would be a multi-cornered contest in all the 11 segments with a record number of 179 candidates in the fray. Militancy-infested Shopian and Tral constituencies have highest number of 21 candidates each, followed by Kathua (20), Pulwama and Wachhi (19 each). Besides five women, 58 Independents are also at the hustings.
The PDP president, who won from Pahalgam seat before being elected to Lok Sabha, is contesting from Wachhi in Shopian district.
Although there are 18 other candidates in the fray, Mehbooba's major challenge would come from National Conference candidate Showkat Hussain Ganai and former MLA, Khalil Naik of CPI(M).
Former ministers and PDP leaders Khalil Bandh (Pulwama) and Syed Bashir Ahmad (Rajpora) would be up against 18 and 17
candidates respectively, in their second bid to the assembly.
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