At 68.7%, J&K sees highest polling in third phase
Arjun Sharma/ Adil Akhzer
From the lanes of Raghunath Bazaar to the barbed fence along the International Border in Suchetgarh, Jammu witnessed long queues, while the voter turnout in Sopore and Baramulla — the traditional poll-boycott areas in Kashmir —- was higher as compared to previous Assembly polls as J&K recorded 68.72 per cent polling in the third and final phase of elections on Tuesday.
At 79.70%, Akhnoor along border sees big turnout
In dist-wise tally, Udhampur tops at 75.87%, Baramulla at bottom with 59.84%
The first phase and the second phase in the UT had recorded 61.38 per cent and 57.31 per cent polling, respectively. The restoration of statehood and growing unemployment were the key issues on the voters’ mind as they exercised their franchise across 24 Assembly segments in Jammu, Udhampur, Kathua and Samba districts of the Jammu region and 16 segments of Kashmir covering Baramulla, Kupwara and Bandipora districts.
The recent surge in terror attacks in the remote hilly areas of Jammu failed to dampen the spirit of the voters in the rural belts where the voting percentage by half-day had crossed 50 per cent mark. The voting by border residents also took place in a peaceful atmosphere with no untoward incident reported from anywhere amid the ongoing ceasefire between India and Pakistan. Chhamb constituency along the International Border in Jammu district witnessed the highest polling (77.35 per cent).
In Kashmir, Sopore and Baramulla, which were notorious for poll boycott in previous assembly elections, on Tuesday saw 45 per cent and 54 per cent polling, respectively. Today’s voting percentage in these two segments is also highest than polling recorded for the recently held Lok Sabha elections.
According to the ECI officials, out of seven districts, the highest voter turnout was registered in Udhampur district at 75.87 per cent, while the lowest was recorded in Baramulla district at 59.84 per cent. In the final phase, 40 Assembly constituencies went to the polls.
In Kashmir division, Bandipora saw 67.57 per cent, Baramulla 59.84 per cent and Kupwara district 65.81 per cent, while in Jammu division, Kathua registered 72.23 per cent polling, Samba 75.22 per cent, Jammu 70.25 and Udhampur 75.87.
In north Kashmir border districts, people came out in large numbers to cast their ballots. “Why should we waste our vote,” asked Sameer Ahmad, a 25-year-old student in Baramulla. “Poll boycott is over. We are facing a lot of problems like unemployment and rising electricity fees, we need to end those problems.”
A press release issued by the ECI, quoting CEC Rajiv Kumar said, “The peaceful and participative elections are historic, wherein democracy is taking root more profoundly than ever before, driven by the will of people of J&K.” Among the key candidates who were in the fray were Jammu and Kashmir People’s Conference chief Sajad Lone, who is contesting from two seats, and NC provincial-president Nasir Aslam Wani.
