56% polling in Pulwama, 34 % in Anantnag

KT NEWS SERVICE JAMMU, Feb 6: A record over 56 per cent voters exercised their right of franchise for civic elections in Pulwama district followed by 34 per cent in Anantnag district the polling for which was held today.

The polling remained peaceful and without any complaint.

This was stated by Chief Electoral Officer Rakesh K.

Gupta while addressing a press conference here this evening.

He said, "overall percentage in both the districts was recorded at 37 and the polling was conducted smoothly amidst tight security arrangements to thwart any untoward incident".

Giving detailed information about Pulwama, he said, "out of 71 wards only 14 went to polls in which 31 candidates were in fray, out of whom 22 were men while nine were women".

He added, "in 29 wards candidates were elected unopposed as none had entered the fray while polling could not be held in 27 ward following killing of a contesting candidate a few days back".

After the killing remaining candidates had withdrawn their nomination papers".

The polling was brisk and heavy despite the boycott calls and threats.

The turnout has also been the highest as compared to the earlier parliamentary and assembly elections.

The enthusiasm among the voters was remarkable in all the wards of Pulwama and Anantnag districts.

It was a festive look with people thronging in large numbers to the polling booths to participate in the democratic process.

The Chief Electoral Officer said that today the polling was held for Pulwama and Shopian municipal committees in Pulwama district and for Anantnag municipal council and Bijbehara, Dooru, Qazigund and Kulgam municipal committees in Anantnag district.

Gupta said that the arrangements for tomorrow's civic elections in Jammu and Kathua districts have been finalized.

He said the polling will be held between 8 AM to 2 PM.

In Anantnag district, Qazigund recorded highest 78.88 per cent voter turnout followed by Dooru 65.99 per cent, Kulgam 37 per cent, Bijbehara 30.24 per cent and Anantnag 23.52 per cent.

Gupta informed that in Anantnag a total of 153 candidates were in fray for 77 wards, out of whom 102 were men while 53 were women.

He further informed that polling for at least two wards could not be held as none had entered the fray.

For Pulwama municipal committee, the voting percentage registered was 59.26 while as around 54 per cent voters cast their votes in Shopian.

Voter turnout has also been remarkable in south Kashmir.

In 2004 parliamentary elections, Anantnag had registered 6.48 per cent polling, Dooru 26.52 per cent, Bijbehara 3.36 per cent, Qazigund 25.89 per cent, Kulgam 9.37 per cent, Pulwama 5.62 per cent and Shopian 15.36 per cent, whereas in the present civic polls, these segments have registered a very high percentage of polling.

No voting in 27 wards of Pulwama KT NEWS SERVICE JAMMU, Feb 6: In third phase of polling for the civic elections, not even a single voter turned out today to cast his vote for 27 wards of Pulwama in South Kashmir after killing of a contesting candidate a few days back.

After the killing remaining candidates had withdrawn their nominations papers fearing risk to their lives.

A few days back ultras had killed Ghulam Rasool Dhobi, a contesting candidate from ward number 16 of Pulwama that comprised 27 wards.

Besides this, candidates from 29 wards of Pulwama were elected unopposed as they were the sole contestants from their respective wards.

Similarly, 20 candidates were elected unopposed in Anantnag while polling could not be held in two wards as none had entered the fray.

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