Polling for the first phase of assembly elections in Jharkhand and Jammu and Kashmir is underway amidst tight security. The election for 13 Assembly seats in Jharkhand is underway peacefully today.

AIR Ranchi Correspondent reports that there were enthusiasm among the voters in many areas. The overall voting percentage for 13 seats has been 48.28% till one P.M

Nearly forty thousands security forces have been deployed for 3961 polling stations. About thirty three lakhs and sixty thousands voters have option to select from 199 candidates. Meanwhile Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed an election rally at Chaibasa today. Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh is also in Jharkhand for addressing three rallies at Simdega, Khunti and Khelari.

In Jammu and Kashmir, polling is underway in 15 assembly segments at 1,787 polling booths. These assembly segments include all four seats of Ladakh, five seats of Kashmir and six seats of Jammu region. All arrangements are in place for peaceful, free and fair elections. Over 50 per cent of polling was reported in the state till 2 pm.

In Kargil, long queues are seen outside the polling stations. AIR correspondent reports that till noon 21 per cent voters have cast their votes. Meanwhile, Election Commission has banned the publication and dissemination of exit polls of any kind in poll-bound Jharkhand and Jammu and Kashmir.

The voting in Ladakh region started peacefully but on slow note due to freezing temperature. When the process of voting begin in the morning at 8 am, the minimum temperature reached up to minus 7 degree Celsius , had affected the early turnout of voters. As the day started to warm up, the turnout of voters have gradually pick up.

Enthusiasm among voters to elect the new government in the state was seen in many of polling stations. Sixteen candidates for the four seats are in fray in the region. One lakh sixty two thousands and forty seven are eligible to exercise their right to franchise and 533 polling stations have set up across the region.