Jammu/Srinagar, Oct 1: Voters on Tuesday queued up outside polling stations in 40 seats across seven districts of Jammu and Kashmir where polling is

Jammu/Srinagar: Voting commenced on Tuesday for the third and final phase of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections, covering 40 seats across seven

In the first phase of the J&K polls, a voter turnout of 61.38 per cent was recorded on September 18, followed by 57.31 per cent in the second phase on September 25.

Jammu and Kashmir witnessed a voter turnout of 44.08% till 1 pm in the third and final phase of assembly elections. Over 39.18 lakh voters will decide the fate of 415 candidates across 40 constituencies. This election is significant as West Pakistani refugees, the Valmiki Samaj, and the Gorkha community are voting for the first time in an assembly election after the abrogation of Article 370.

A total of 202 candidates are in the fray in these 16 segments.

Polling began at 7 am in 16 assembly segments in three border districts of north Kashmir amid tight security.

The PM also urged first time voters and women masses to come forward in large numbers and vote in Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections.

More than 39.18 lakh eligible voters are set to decide the electoral fate of 415 candidates.

The home minister asked the people to cast their vote for tourism, education, employment and all-round development in Jammu and Kashmir.