As many as 62 percentage voters exercised their franchise in 3rd phase of polling in J&K despite boycott call by separatist's and bad weather condition.

Five constituencies of Kupwara district went to poll on Sunday in third phase.

Karnah recorded a turnout of 73 percent, the highest among the five segments in the third phase of polling in Jammu and Kashmir which was by and large peaceful, official sources said.

In Kupwara constituency, 60 of votes were cast with Karanah witnessing the highest turnout of 65.37.

Srinagar, Nov 30: Third phase of the seven phased elections is going on in Jammu and Kashmir today. Six constituencies where the votes are being polled include Kupwara, Lolab, Karnah, Langate, Handwara district.

Polling of votes started amid curfew like restrictions at eight in the morning and will close at four in the afternoon. Tight security arrangements have been made at all polling stations.

A complete shutdown is being observed across the Kashmir valley today. The Coordination Committee (an amalgam of Hurriyat, traders, employees. lawyers) has given the shutdown call against the elections.

Former Chief Minister of J&K and senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad filed his nomination papers from Bhaderwah constituency. He filed his papers on the last day of nominations on Saturday for the sixth phase of Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir.

Elections for sixth phase will be held on December 17.

A record number of 321 candidates including another former Chief Minister and PDP Patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed are in the fray from 16 constituencies going to polls in the sixth phase.

The Jammu and Kashmir government on Friday announced a three-day state mourning as a mark of respect to former Prime Minister V P Singh.

77-year-old Singh died in New Delhi on Thursday after battling blood cancer for over 17 years and renal failure.

"The state will observe three days mourning and national and state flags on all buildings will fly at half past during these days," an official spokesman in Srinagar said.

Doda (J-K), Nov 28: National Conference leader and former State Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah addressed an election rally in Doda district ahead of the third phase of the seven phased elections scheduled to be held on November 30.

Farooq said that the people wanted change and that is why they have come out to vote openly.

"People are coming out to change their destiny and for their own betterment. They want to change the prevailing situation and have come out to vote for their jobs, betterment of infrastructure and change the prevailing situation," he added.

He also condemned the recent row that the Jammu and Kashmir had witnessed and said that the scares would take time to heal.