Abid Bashir
Srinagar, Sep 25: Jammu and Kashmir’s Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) P K Pole Wednesday said the tentative figures suggest that the phase two of the Assembly elections recorded over 56 per cent polling.
The figure is seven per cent less than what J&K recorded in the first phase of elections held on September 18. Addressing a press conference here, Pole said that the second phase of elections were conducted in a peaceful manner and no incident was reported anywhere in the UT where re-polling needs to be done.
“The total percentage for phase two is over 56 per cent. The figure is tentative as polling is still underway at some places,” Pole said. He said for the second phase, 3502 polling booths were set up and almost 15000 polling officials including observers and other staff were deployed in six districts of the UT.
As far the Assembly constituency wise figures, in Kashmir, Central-Shalteng recorded 29.09 percent voting, Chanapora 26.95, Eidgah 34.65, Habba Kadal 18.80, Hazratbal 30.66, Khanyar 24.00, Lal Chowk 30.44 and Zadibal 28.36 per cent. “Beerwah registered 62.50 per cent voting, Budgam 47.18, Chadoora 54.16, Charar-e-Shareef 66 per cent and Khansahib 67.70,” the CEO said. “Ganderbal recorded 53.44 percent voting and Kangan (ST) 67.60 per cent.”
In the Jammu region, the CEO said Gulabgarh (ST) recorded 72.19 per cent voting, Reasi 69.09, Mata Vaishno Devi 80, Mendhar 69.67, Poonch Haveli 72.71, Surankote 72.18, Budhal 66. 95 per cent, Kalakote-Sunderbani 66.37, Nowshera 69 per cent, Rajouri (ST) 70.56 per cent, Thanamandi 68.44 per cent.
The CEO said that phase two Assembly polls have surpassed the turnout recorded in the Lok Sabha polls held earlier this year. About the foreign delegations visit to Kashmir, the CEO said that diplomats visited four to five polling stations and expressed satisfaction with the poll process. “Our officers explained them the preparations made and the process how elections are being conducted,” he said.
