Srinagar, Oct 01: Polling for 27 seats in the third phase of J&K Assembly elections began today. Security has been tightened in view of the stepped up violence. An estimated 18 lakh voters are expected to cast their votes across Anantnag, Pulwama, Udhampur and Kathua districts to choose their representatives from 226 candidates.

Among the heavyweights in fray in the penultimate phase are Deputy Speaker of Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Haider Malik, three ministers -- Peerzada Ghulam Ahmad Shah, Bashir Ahmad Nangroo and Sakina Itoo -- PDP vice president Mehbooba Mufti, counter-insurgent turned politician Liaqat Ali Khan and Khalida Mushtaq who is battling for life in hospital following a landmine attack two days ago.

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Security personnel took up positions in-and-around nearly 2,000 polling stations to instill confidence among the voters and foil militants from disrupting the electoral process.

Against the trend of largely straight contests in the first two phases, most of the constituencies in the third phase will witness multi-cornered contests.

Balloting in nine polling booths in Poonch, Budgam and Jammu districts, where repolling was ordered, also began today simultaneously with the third phase poll. Bureau Report