In Jammu-Poonch parliamentary constituency, more than 44 percent polling was recorded till 1 p.m. Polling began this morning under clear but hot weather and voters in good number were seen in long queues at most of the polling booths in Jammu city and different areas in Samba, Poonch and Rajouri districts.

Good Enthusiasm was witnessed among the voters especially the youth and the first time voters. Over 2200 polling stations including 80 critical polling booths have been set up in 20 Assembly segments of four districts of Rajouri, Poonch, Samba and Jammu.

Though there are 19 candidates in the fray, however, the triangular neck to neck contest is between National Conference-Congress alliance candidate and Congress sitting MP Madan Lal Sharma, BJP's State President and MLA Jugal Kishore Sharma and PDP's Yash Pal Sharma.

Our correspondent reports that an average of 44 percent voter turnout has been recorded in Jammu-Poonch parliamentary constituency till 1 O' clock. According to official sources, 45.02 % polling has been recorded in Jammu district, 39.76 % in Rajouri while Poonch recorded 37 % and in Samba district 54.27 % voters cast their votes till 1 O'clock.