In Kashmir valley, braving cold weather conditions, people have started coming out in large numbers to cast their votes in the third phase of polling in all the 16 Assembly constituencies spread over three districts. Despite posters coming up in various constituencies urging people to boycott the poll, people are defying the diktats of separatists and are coming out to exercise their franchise. By 10 a.m 11.76% polling was recorded in the 16 assembly segments.
Beerwah assembly segment in Badgam district where from J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah is contesting this time recorded maximum 18.16 % polling by 10 a.m followed by Khansahib constituency in Budgam district where 16.85% polling was recorded. Uri Assembly segment in Baramulla district which was rocked by fidayeen attack on an Army camp on Friday last recorded 10.25 % poling by 10 a.m. Concerned over the recent spurt in militant activities, unprecedented security arrangements have been made for free, fair and peaceful polling.
Long queues could be seen outside the polling stations in all the constituencies in the district of Baramulla, Badgam and Pulwama.
AIR Correspondent reports that there is huge enthusiasm among the voters particularly first timers and long queues of voters are seen outside the polling booths. A petrol bomb was hurled by unidentified men at a polling station in Gulmarg constituency in Baramulla district. No casualties were reported in the incident. Barring this incident, polling across all 16 constituencies of the state, was going on peacefully.
In Jharkhand, nearly 13 percent voting was recorded till 9 am in 17 assembly segments going to polls in the third phase of election. Quoting poll officials, PTI reports Koderma recorded the maximum 16.90 per cent voting in the first two hours while Barkagaon constituency witnessed the minimum at 7.60 per cent. The officials said some faulty Electronic Voting Machines or EVMs were immediately replaced on receiving complaints from a few polling booths. 289 candidates including former Speaker C.P. Singh and former Chief Minister Babulal Marandi are in the fray.
