Undeterred by the cold winter, voters turned out in large numbers in most of the constituencies in Jammu and Kashmir and Jharkhand that went to polls in the fifth and final phase of polls on Saturday.
Highest ever voting turnout of over 66 percent has been recorded in the entire phase of Assembly elections in Jharkhand while Jammu and Kashmir witnessed around 66 percent polling, highest in 25 years.
Voting in both the states was entirely peaceful in all five phases barring some minor incidents.
Briefing reporters in New Delhi Saturday evening, Deputy Election Commissioner Umesh Sinha said that in final phase of voting in Jharkhand on Saturday, 71.26 percent voter turnout has been registered in 16 assembly constituencies.
He said these constituencies had witnessed 58.26 percent polling in the last assembly elections.
On polling for 20 constituencies in Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday, Deputy Election Commissioner Vinod Zutshi said that 76 percent voter turnout was recorded as compared to around 70 percent in the last assembly elections in these areas.
AIR correspondent reports, intensive campaigning, full proof security arrangements and measures taken by the elections commission have resulted very well in the voting in Santal Paragana division on Saturday.
Maximum polling has been recorded in voting in the comparison of last four phases of on-going assembly polls.
In all six districts of Deoghar, Jamtara, Dumka, Pakur, Godda and Sahebganj have recorded 6 to 9 percent increase in today`s voting in the comparison of last assembly polls.
Maximum above 75 percent electorates have exercised their franchise in all three constituencies of Littipara, Pakur and Maheshganj of highly sensitive Pakur district.
It is 8 percent more in the comparison of last assembly polls.
Minimum 67 percent votes have been cast in Godda district but it is also 8 percent more in the comparison of previous assembly polls.
Most of the polling parties have been gathered at cluster points in Naxal areas and they will be bringing tomorrow at district headquarters under tight security to deposit EVMs at strong rooms.
Blanket of heavy security is thrown in and around at all cluster points.
Political fate of 208 candidates including Chief Minister Hemant Soren, Speaker of State Assembly Shashank Shekhar Bhokta, two Ministers of State Government and a former Assembly speaker and four former Ministers now sealed in Electronic voting Machines. Counting of votes of all 81 seats will be held on 23rd of this month.
AIR correspondent reports, undeterred by the threat of firing from across the border and braving the winter chill, over 76 per cent of the electorate on Saturday exercised their franchise in 20 segments of Jammu, Kathua and Rajouri districts.
At many places, voters queued up at polling stations much before the start of the voting time.
Despite cold weather, serpentine queues of people were seen outside the polling booths. Bani constituency in Kathua district witnessed the highest 83 percent of voter’s turnout while, Gandhinagar segment in heart of Jammu city registered lowest 60 percent voting.
Five constituencies including Chhamb, Akhnoor, Marh, Suchetgarh and Bani recorded more than 80 percent turnout.
Polling completed peacefully and no untoward incident was reported from anywhere. Total 66 percent turnout recorded in the five phase electioneering.
Five phase election process is now over while counting will be held on December 23.
