Srinagar/Ranchi: Defying the poll boycott call by separatists and militant threat, about 71 per cent voter turnout was recorded in 18 Assembly consti-tuencies, spread over five districts after a dull start due to morning chill in the second phase of five-phased elections at Jammu and Kashmir.
The polling was by and large peaceful, officials said, adding that unprecedented security arrangements have been made for free, fair and peaceful polling in view of the separatist boycott call and threat perception.
Officials said that highest number of 80 per cent votes were polled in three constituencies, In Kashmir valley, Kupwara toped the voter turnout as 68 per cent exercised their democratic right in five Assembly seats, followed by Kulgam 60 per cent, where polling was held in four constituencies.
JH poll:Around 65 per cent of 44.13 lakh voters on Tuesday exercised their franchise, sealing the fate of 223 candidates in 20 assembly seats as second phase polling ended today.
Earlier, sources in the state electoral officer’s office said apart from a few instances of EVM malfunc-tion, polling had been smooth. Altogether 223 candidates, including 35 women, are in the race for these 20 seats of which 17 fall in the reserved category.
The 20 seats are : Bharagora, Ghatsila (ST), Potka (ST), Jugsalai(SC), Jamshedpur East, Jam-shedpur West, Saraikela (ST), Chaibasa (ST), Man-jhgaon (ST), Jagannathpur (ST), Manoharpur (ST), Chakardharpur (ST), Kharsawan (ST), Tamar (ST), Torpa (ST), Khunti(ST), Mandar (ST), Sisai (ST), Simdega (ST) and Kolibera (ST).(UNI)
