Polling has begun for the third phase of Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir and Jharkhand. In Jammu and Kashmir, polling is taking place for 16 seats spread over three districts of Baramulla, Badgam and Pulwama. The polling, which started at 8 AM, will end at 4 PM. 138 candidates including Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and three of his cabinet colleagues are in the fray for this phase of elections. All eyes are on Uri and Tral constituencies, which were hit by militant violence on Friday ahead of the polls.

The first two phases of elections in the state saw a record turnout of over 70 per cent, with voters ignoring boycott calls by separatists and militant outfits. Concerned over the recent spurt in militant violence, in which 21 persons including 11 security force personnel and two civilians were killed , more than 420 companies of security forces and state police personnel have been deployed to ensure free, fair and peaceful polling in the 16 assembly constituencies.

The third phase of polling assumes all the more importance and the voter turn out will be keenly watched as it comes barely a couple of days after the militant strikes across Kashmir valley which were aimed at creating a fear psychosis among the voters and to desist them from coming out to exercise their franchise.

In Jharkhand, polling is taking place for 17 seats amidst tight security. 289 candidates including former Speaker CP Singh, former Chief Minister Babulal Marandi, AJSU President Sudesh Mahto and Ministers Rajendra Prasad Singh, Anapurna Devi and JP Patel are in the fray. While polling for 14 seats will end 3 PM, the voting for Ranchi, Hatia and Kanke seats will continue till 5 PM due to use of VVPAT by which voters would be given machine printed slips after voting. All sensitive booths have been handed over to Central Para Military Forces, and four helicopters are in standby position.