Handwara (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], October 1 : Jammu and Kashmir People's Conference (JKPC) chairman Sajjad Gani Lone said on Tuesday that his party is "equidistant" from all other parties and they will contest on their own as they had faced issues in alliances last time as well.
Lone told ANI, "We do not go into the number game. But I think it will be good...We are equidistant from all parties, we faced issues in alliances last time as well. So, we are on our own. We want to contest alone."
Speaking on Article 370 and 35A, Sajjad Lone said, "We too are in favour of restoration. That is the voice of the local public and us."
He also cast his vote in Government Girls Higher Secondary School, Handwara, in the third and final phase of the assembly polls in Jammu and Kashmir.
Meanwhile, a voter turnout of 65.08 percent was recorded till 5 pm in the third phase of ongoing Assembly elections in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, according to the Election Commission of India.
As per the ECI data, Bandipora recorded 63.33 pc, Baramulla 55.73 pc, Jammu 66.79 pc, Kathua 70.53 pc, Kupwara 62.76 pc, Samba 72.41 pc and Udhampur 72.91 pc.
Voting has been going on in 24 constituencies in the Jammu division and 16 constituencies in Kashmir amid strong security to ensure smooth and peaceful polls.
Earlier, the first phase of Jammu-Kashmir polls saw a 61.13 percent total voter turnout, whereas the total voter turnout was at 57.31 percent in the second phase of the assembly polls.
These are the first elections being held in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir since the abrogation of Article 370.
High-profile leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah (BJP), Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, and former J-K chief ministers Farooq Abdullah, Omar Abdullah, and Mehbooba Mufti, held extensive campaigning for weeks.
The National Conference (NC) and the Congress have formed an alliance for these elections, while the People's Democratic Party (PDP) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) are among the other major contenders. The counting of the votes will be done on October 8.