71% voting in the second phase of J&K elections but slight dip in the valley, Jammu Kashmir second Phase polling Live updates,2nd phase of J&K Poll, jammu kashmir assembly election 2014
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- Last Updated: Thursday, 22 January 2015 21:14
71% voting in the second phase of J&K elections but slight dip in the valley
New Delhi, Dec 2 (IANS) Jammu and Kashmir recorded a voter turnout of 71 percent in the second of the five-phase assembly elections held in the two states Tuesday.
Amid unprecedented security arrangements provided by the state police and paramilitary forces in the hinterland and Army in the forests and hills, voting was by and large peaceful with around 71 per cent of the eligible electorate coming out to press the EVM buttons in 18 Assembly constituencies, spread over five districts after a dull start due to morning chill.
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In Jammu and Kashmir the polling percentage saw an increase from the 68.79 percent recorded in the 2008 assembly polls. During the recent general elections, the state recorded 61.04 percent voting, Deputy Election Commissioner Vinod Zutshi told the media here.
Eighteen constituencies in five districts of Jammu and Kashmir went to the polls in the second phase Tuesday, of which Reasi and Udhampur districts recorded the maximum turnout of 80 percent and 76 percent, respectively, Zutshi said. "Polling was peaceful with no untoward incident reported from anywhere," he added.
Even though the voter turnout in Kulgam district and Kupwara district can be considered as high if compared to the percentage of polling recorded in other states in recent elections, the former has actually witnessed a decline of over 4 per cent while voting in the latter dipped by over 1 per cent as compared to 2008 Assembly elections. In 2008 elections, Kulgam witnessed a voter turnout of 64.70 per cent while 69.32 per cent electorate exercised their franchise to vote in Kupwara. In Kashmir valley, Kupwara tops the voter turnout as 68 per cent people exercised their democratic right in five Assembly seats followed by Kulgam with 60 per cent.The highest votes were polled in Reasi district with 80 per cent, followed by Udhampur with 76 per cent and Poonch district with 70 per cent in Jammu region.
Meanwhile, 40 families of Kunan and Poshpora in north Kashmir district of Kupwara boycotted the elections and protested outside their polling station. The protesters demanded justice for what they allege is one of the worst cases of human rights abuse and mass gangrape of over 40 women in these two villages by the Army in February 1991.
Minor incidents of stone pelting were reported in Khudwani, Redwani and Rampur areas in Home-Shalibugh constituency in Kulgam district.
Addressing a press conference, Chief Electoral Officer Umang Narula said around 71 per cent electorate cast their vote in Tuesday's polling for the second phase of Assembly elections across 18 constituencies spread in five districts of the state. Handwara, which is a militant prone area, recorded a voter turnout of 71 per cent, against 75.55 recorded in 2008.
Meanwhile, Election Commission officials said that in Jammu Kashmir, Rs.67 Lakh in cash was seized during the polls. Five cases of paid news were reported from Jammu Kashmir in Second phase polls
The Chief Electoral Officer said the constituencies that went to polls today were spread over five districts for which as many as 2186 polling stations were set up, which included 143 critical ones.
Web casting was done in 178 Polling Stations and 296 digital and 216 video cameras were deployed, he added.
Narula said that 199 micro observers and 10296 poll personnel were deployed during today's polling. The CEO said 175 candidates were in the fray for these 18 constituencies which comprised 1542737 numbers of electors including 818025 male, 724703 female and 09 third gender voters.