Srinagar, Nov 17: Over 64 percent of electorate voted Saturday in the first phase of Panchayat elections in Kashmir while in Jammu region the poll percentage touched 79.5 percent, officials said. The overall poll percentage was 74.1 percent.
The turnout in rural areas was significantly higher in Kashmir Valley unlike during the recent urban local bodies elections where barely four percent of the electorate voted.
Separatists had asked people to boycott the polls and also called for a strike Saturday while major regional parties — the National Conference and the Peoples Democratic Party — too had decided not to participate in the local bodies polls.
As per officials, total polling percentage in Kashmir division was recorded 64.5 percent as 1.05 lakh of 1.63 lakh voters exercised their franchise in the Valley, they said.
In the state, Ganderbal recorded the lowest percentage of 11.9 percent while Udhampur the highest at 83.6 percent.
Giving details, officials said Srinagar district recorded 21.8 percent followed by 30.14 percent in Budgam, 70 percent in Kupwara, 69.1 percent in Baramulla, 56.2 percent in Bandipora, 60 percent in Leh and 77.7 percent in Kargil.
The total polling percentage in Jammu division was 79.5 percent as 2.35 lakh voters out of 2.95 lakh voted, they said.
In Jammu region, polling percentage in Kishtwar was 74.1, Rajouri 78.9, Poonch 78.7, Udhampur 83.6, Doda 80.8, Kathua 80 and Ramban 78.2 per cent, they added.
The officials said the total number of electorate in these polling stations was 1,35,774.
There will be eight more phases of panchayat polls in Jammu and Kashmir.
The first phase polling was held in 47 blocks, including 16 blocks in Kashmir, 21 in Jammu and 10 in Ladakh region.
427 candidates were in the fray for 536 Sarpanch Halqas and 5,951 candidates for 4,048 Panch wards for first phase of the Panchayat polls, said an official.
The polls are being held after a delay of two years when the state is under the Governor’s rule. The counting of votes will be held on November 27.
Final percentage
Srinagar 21.8%
Ganderbal 11.9%
Budgam 30.1%
Baramulla 69.1%
Kupwara 71.9%
Bandipora 55.7%
Leh 59.7%
Kargil 70.9%
Kishtwar 74.1%
Doda 80.8%
Ramban 78.2%
Udhampur 83.6%
Kathua 80%
Rajouri 78.9%
Poonch 78.7%
