Polling is underway for the third phase of five phased Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir and Jharkhand. In Kashmir valley, Polling which started on a dull note this morning, has started picking up in 16 assembly segments, spread over three districts of Baramulla, Badgam and Pulwama in the third phase of five-phased elections.

The authorities have made unprecedented security arrangements for free, fair and peaceful polling in these constituencies which witnessed militant violence in which 21 people, including 11 security personnel and eight militants were killed. Voting started at 8 a.m at all the 1,781 polling booths. According to AIR Srinagar correspondent though the polling started on a dull note mainly due to chilly weather conditions, it has started picking up.

In Tral constituency where two civilians were killed in a grenade attack by militants on Friday last , people are queuing up in front of polling centres to cast their votes. Undeterred by December 5 fidayeen attack on an Army camp at Mohra , Uri, people have come out in large number to exercise their democratic right. Long queues could be seen outside majority of polling stations half an hour before the start of the polling.

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.