The seventh round of polling in the District Development Council polls in Jammu and Kashmir Wednesday recorded marginally higher voter turnout of 57.22 percent across 31 constituencies.
Addressing a press conference in Jammu, the State Election Commissioner KK Sharma said, “polling was by and large peaceful across 31 constituencies”. He said the Jammu division recorded an average voter turnout of 71.93% while the Kashmir Division recorded 39.52% average voter turnout.
He further said that 393200 (210479 male and 182721 female votes) people exercised their right to franchise for the seventh phase across the Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory.
As per reports pouring in from different areas, long queues of voters were seen at polling booths where women, elderly and first time voters were seen waiting for their turn. Enthusiastic voters of all age groups flocked the polling booths to cast their votes.
SEC further informed that Jammu division recorded an average voter turnout of 71.93% with Poonch district recording the highest percentage of 80.12% followed by Reasi district with 76.75% and 75.63% voting recorded in Udhampur district. The lowest turnout in Jammu division was in Doda district which recorded 58.82%.
The Kashmir Division recorded 39.52% average voter turnout with Bandipora district recording the highest polling at 70.47% followed by Baramulla with 59.53% and Kupwara district recorded 59.23% polling, he added.
Giving district wise details, the SEC informed that in Kashmir Division the polling percentage recorded in Budgam was 45.11%, Ganderbal 53.69%, Anantnag 22.46, Kulgam 17.98%, Pulwama 11.06% and 6.55% polling was registered in Shopian.
Similarly, in Jammu division poll percentage of 74.38% was recorded in Samba, 72.85 in Kathua, 67.75% in Ramban, 73.10 in Rajouri, 69.89 per cent in Kishtwar and 68.66% in Jammu district. The SEC informed that polling was held in 1852 polling stations including 1068 from Kashmir division and 784 from Jammu division.