Final phase polling in 21 J&K assembly seats begins

SRINAGAR: Polling for 21 constituencies in the seventh and final round of the assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday began amid tight security and overcast sky.

"The voter turn-out was low this morning due to chilly conditions. However, polling staff and security personnel took up their positions at 1,872 polling booths by 7.30 am," an official source said.

Fate of 393 candidates, including former Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah, former Speaker Tara Chand, two sitting MPs, six former ministers and four ministers of state would be decided in the polls. There are also 31 women candidates and 151 independents trying their luck in this phase of elections.

As many as 70,000 personnel of Central security forces have been deployed in and around the polling booths set up for over 16.91-lakh electorate, including 8,22,671 women voters in Srinagar, Jammu and Samba districts.

Farooq Abdullah, who is contesting from two constituencies -- Hazratbal and Sonawar -- is the most prominent figure among the candidates.