AMN / WEB DESK
More than 59 percent — the highest in the past seven elections — was recorded in the first phase of assembly polls in Jammu and Kashmir today, Chief Electoral Officer P K Pole said, adding polling passed off peacefully.
However, he said the figures are tentative and there might be a fractional increase after the final reports are received from the remote pockets and postal ballots.
The first phase of polls covered 24 seats across seven districts.
Briefing mediapersons in Jammu after polling ended at 6 pm, Pole said the elections ended peacefully without any untoward incident.
There are reports of some minor incidents of scuffle or argument from a few polling stations but “no serious incident” occurred that could have forced a repoll, he said.
“The polling percentage of 59 percent is highest in the past seven elections — four Lok Sabha polls and three assembly elections,” he said, attributing the increase in the voter turnout to various factors including improved security situation, active participation of political parties and candidates and a campaign by the department.
The Elections are being held in three phases for 90 Assembly Constituencies. The elections for the next two phases will be held on 25 of this month for 26 Assembly Constituencies while as for the remaining 40 seats, it will be held on 1st of next month. The counting will take place on 8th next month.
The highest voter turnout in the Kashmir division was recorded in Kulgam district with 61.57 percent while as in Jammu division, the highest turnout was recorded in Kishtwar district with 77.23 percent. The poll process started at 7 in the morning and ended at 6 in the evening. The polling was held in 16 Assembly Constituencies in Kashmir and eight constituencies in Jammu division spread across seven districts across the Union Territory. An encouraging participation of voters was seen in all 3276 polling stations where the enthusiastic voters exercised their right to franchise. Adequate security arrangements were put in place to ensure the smooth and incident free elections today.