J&K panchayat elections

J&K panchayat elections eighty percent polling was reported in the first phase of panchayat elections in Jammu and Kashmir while residents of south Kashmir block turned out in large numbers to cast their votes. Vowing to participate in the developmental policies concerning their backward hamlets, residents of Jammu and Kashmir today voted for empowerment of the grass root level democracy, ignoring separatists' call for boycott.The last panchayat elections, held after a gap of 23 years, were conducted in the state in 2001-02 and the next edition was due in 2006 but could not be held due to various reasons, especially the fragile security situation. The second phase of the polling will be held on April 17, third on April 21, fourth on April 25, fifth on April 30, sixth on May 4, seventh on May 8, eighth on May 12, ninth on May 16 and 10th to 16th phases will be held on May 21, May 25, May 29, June 2, June 6, June 11 and June 18 respectively.