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Amidst tight security, polling for the first phase of the assembly election began in five border districts of Jammu and Kashmir on Monday.
Polling booths opened at 0700 IST for an electorate of 1.5 million. Nearly 160 candidates are contesting from 23 constituencies.
The voting will end at 1600 IST.
Assembly Speaker Abdul Ahmad Vakil, six ministers and militant-turned-politician Kuka Parray are in fray in the first phase of balloting in Rajouri, Poonch, Kupwara, Baramulla and Kargil districts.
In Kupwara, a large number of voters were seen coming to the polling booths.
Reports said people were seen thronging polling booths in Baramulla despite the relatively cold weather.
According to election officers of the two districts, the situation was peaceful.
Jammu and Kashmir Elections 2002: The complete coverage
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