Braving below freezing temperature of -8.8 degrees Celsius in the cold desert region of Leh, more than 64.1 per cent electorate turned out to cast their votes on Saturday in the third of the 9-phase election for the Panchayats.

Similar was the position in Kargil where 75.6 per cent votes were cast in the -7.6 degrees Celsius temperature.

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The overall percentage during the third phase of polling across J-K has been registered 75.2 per cent, according to the chief electoral officer, Shaleen Kabra. The polling percentage in the third phase today was higher than that during the two first phases.

Although the separatists had called for boycott of polls in J-K, the Kashmir valley recorded encouraging percentage of 55.7 polling and the turnout in Jammu division was 83 per cent.

North Kashmir’s Kupwara district polled highest percentage of 59.7 votes followed by 51 per cent in Bandipura.

Ganderbal recorded lowest polling of 12 per cent whereas highest polling of 87.8 per cent was reported in the Poonch district on the Line of Control (LOC) in the Jammu division.

Around 30.8 per cent votes were cast in the Baramulla district in north Kashmir, while Budgam in central Kashmir recorded 40.9 per cent polling.

Polling percentage was between 77 and 87.8 in the seven districts of Jammu division.

Polling percentage in the districts of Jammu division was; Kishtwar 84.9 per cent, Doda 77.4 per cent, Ramban 85.7 per cent, Udhampur 83.8 per cent, Kathua 83.2 per cent, Rajouri  80.3 per cent and Poonch 87.8 per cent.

As many as 2,773 polling stations, including 918 in Kashmir division and 1,855 in Jammu division were set up for today’s polling. 727 polling stations were categorised as hypersensitive, including 493 in Kashmir division and 234 in Jammu division. 5,239 candidates were in the fray for 358 sarpanch and 1,652 panch seats.

Ninety-six sarpanchs and 1,437 panchs have been elected unopposed in this phase.

In the first phase of the election, 74.1 per cent polling was recorded across the state and in the second phase held on November 20, overall 71.1 per cent polling was witnessed.