Jammu (NVI): The fourth phase of polling in the District Development Council (DDC) election was held peacefully across the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir today, recording over 50 per cent voter turnout.
State Election Commissioner, KK Sharma, while addressing a press conference here said that 50.08 per cent voter turnout was registered in the fourth phase.
The SEC said that a large number of people came out to cast their votes during this phase of DDC polls. Long queues were seen right from morning despite severe cold conditions in Kashmir division and hilly areas of Jammu division, he added.
Polling has been peaceful in the 34 constituencies of DDC including 17 in Kashmir and 17 in Jammu division, he said. A total of 3,64,527 voters (including 1,95,206 males and 1,69,321 females) voted to choose their representatives in their respective councils, the SEC said. He also informed that polling was held in 1,916 polling stations including 1,129 from Kashmir division and 787 from Jammu division.
SEC Sharma said that out of 3,64,527 voters, 1,19,733 were from Kashmir division including 65,522 males and 54,211 females while 2,44,794 were from Jammu division including 1,29,684 males and 1,15,110 females.
Jammu division recorded an average voter turnout of 69.31% with Poonch District recording the highest percentage of 75.42% followed by Doda district with 75.03%. The lowest turnout in Jammu division was in Udhampur district which recorded 59.90%. The Kashmir Division recorded 31.95 % average voter turnout with Ganderbal district recording the highest polling at 56.28 % followed by Baramulla District at 47.43% and Bandipora with around 45.22% polling.
Giving district-wise details, SEC Sharma informed that in Kashmir division, the polling percentage recorded in Kupwara was 44.35%, Budgam 38.04%, Anantnag 27.04, Kulgam 8.73%, Pulwama 6.70% and 1.96% polling was registered in Shopian.
Similarly, in Jammu division poll percentage of 71.97% was recorded in Samba, 71.80% in Jammu, 71.22% in Rajouri, 70.32% in Kishtwar, 67.39% in Ramban, 62.67% in Reasi and 61.23% in Kathua.
The counting of votes for Sarpanch and Panch constituencies which went to poll in the 4th phase is being conducted immediately after the close of polls and results shall be declared soon, he said.
-ARK
