Setting alarm bells ringing in the Omar Abdullah Government and separatists’ camps, over 71 per cent of the electorate on Tuesday across 15 Assembly segments took part in the ‘festival of democracy’ in the first phase of Assembly polls in Jammu & Kashmir. In 2008, over 60 per cent voter turnout was recorded in these Assembly segments. Jharkhand also recorded a high turnout of nearly 62 per cent in the 13 Naxal-affected constituencies in the opening phase of the five-phased polls.
“The polling across 1,787 polling stations spread across seven districts of the State passed off peacefully sealing the fate of 123 candidates — including several senior Ministers in the fray. Around 70 per cent electorate exercised their right to franchise in a free and fair manner amid tight security arrangements,” J&K Chief Electoral Officer Umang Narula told reporters in Jammu after the polling ended.
later, the EC revised the poll percentage to 71.28.
Around 400 companies of the paramilitary forces, along with jawans of the State police, were deployed to ensure incident-free polling in the first phase.
The highlight of the day was participation of all sections of society. The centurions came on foot and the disabled were assisted by their loved ones to reach polling stations, some located in remote hills, to exercise their right to franchise. large percentage of first-time voters also cast their ballot.
One hundred twenty-one-year-old Noor Bi became the oldest voter in the State after she cast her vote in Kaabhi polling station of Ramban district. Bharath village in Doda district witnessed participation of dwarf members of the family with great enthusiasm.
Special arrangements were made for disabled, deaf and dumb voters Voters' befitting reply to ultras to exercise their franchise in Doda.
In Jammu region, the highest voter turnout was recorded in Doda where 80 per cent electorate exercised their franchise. 73 per cent polling was recorded in Inderwal Assembly segment, 71 in Bhaderwah, 70 in Kishtwar, 68 in Ramban and 70 in Banihal. The election commission had set up 92 Model polling stations in the region. The BJP is hoping to make inroads into the Congress bastion. According to preliminary reports, high voter turnout may cast a shadow on the fate of all sitting legislators of the Congress.
lone NC legislator from Kishtwar Sajjad Ahmad Kitchloo may find it difficult to score a hat-trick. Congress candidates in Bhaderwah and Doda are also fighting a difficult battle to retain their own seats.
In Jharkhand, a total 61.92 per cent votes were cast in 13 of the 81 Assembly seats as the polling in the Maoist-hit State passed off by and large peacefully.
"The percentage (of votes) could be updated later," an official with the Election Commission here said. The constituencies, which went to polls in Jharkhand on Tuesday, are Chatra (SC), Gumla (ST), Bishunpur (ST), lohardaga (ST), Manika (ST), latehar (SC), Panki and Daltonganj, Bishrampur, Chhatarpur (SC), Hussainabad, Garhwa and Bhawanathpur.
Palamau returning officer KN Jha said EVM machines at booth numbers 191 and 192 in Chhatarpur constituency were damaged in a minor altercation following which polling in the two booths has been cancelled.
Polling passed off peacefully in the rest of the Maoist-affected constituencies, EC sources said.