Polling for the first phase of assembly elections in Jharkhand and Jammu and Kashmir has begun amidst tight security. In Jharkhand, polling is being held in 13 Assembly seats peacefully. Polling began at 7 am and it will continue till 3 pm at 3961 polling stations. Nearly thirty three and half lakh voters will exercise their franchise to seal the fate of 199 candidates from different political parties and Independents in this phase today. Our correspondent reports that administration has made all the necessary arrangements for peaceful poll and shoot- at- sight order has been issued for those who try to create violence and loot the booths.
Reports reaching Ranchi suggest that there is high level of enthusiasm among voters for today’s voting and people are standing ques in many polling stations. Due to constant success in operations by security forces, the naxal’s strength have considerably been weakened in recent months. Jhakhand Chief Election Officer has put target for more than seventy percent voting for this phase. The deployment of forces are nearly three times more than in Lok Sabha election, and sounds of MI- helicopters flying for areal surveys, are being heard. The borders of various districts have been sealed and anti-social elements have been taken into preventive custody.
In Jammu and Kashmir, polling has begun in 15 assembly segments from 8 am and will continue till 4 pm 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 have been put in place for peaceful, free and fair elections. AIR correspondent reports that Sixteen candidates are in fray for the four seats of Ladakh.
One lakh sixty two thousands and forty seven voters will decide the fate of sixteen candidates. 533 polling stations in all the four assembly constituencies have setup for the smooth conduct of election. Eleven ITBP companies , thirteen armed police and over three hundreds home guards are deployed for peaceful, free and fair election. Meanwhile, Election Commission has banned the publication and dissemination of exit polls of any kind in poll-bound Jharkhand and Jammu and Kashmir.
