First Phase of J&K Assembly polls sees high voter turnout

Srinagar: Voting for the first phase of general assembly elections began in Jammu and Kashmir with large queues seen outside the polling stations in Southern parts of Kashmir Valley.

Polling underway at Jammu and Kashmir (Muzamil Bhat/ Siasat.com)

The voting for 24 constituencies of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir started for Phase-I on Wednesday morning amid tight security.

Polling underway amongst tight security at at Jammu and Kashmir (Muzamil Bhat/ Siasat.com)

During the first hours, the overall voting touched 50.65 percent with Inderwal recording highest 72.20 percent, Padder-Nagseni recording 71.08 percent, Kishtwar recording 67.58 percent, Doda West recording 66.75 while Tral recording the lowest of 32.87 percent, officials said. Among the seats in the Valley, Pahalgam recorded the highest turnout of 58.59 percent.

Women voters cast their vote at Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections (Muzamil Bhat/ Siasat.com)

“I am casting a vote for the first time in my life.” says a 24 year old voter from Kulgam. “I hope this election turns fruitful for us and all the promises made by political parties are fulfilled.” He added.

Long queue at a polling station in Jammu and Kashmir (Muzamil Bhat/ Siasat.com)

It is in place to mention that the last assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir were held in 2014 and voting on Wednesday is the first major democratic exercise for assembly after the conversion of State into a Union Territory in August 2019.

Polling underway at Jammu and Kashmir as a security personnel looks on (Muzamil Bhat/ Siasat.com)

Voting remained largely peaceful in all the seven districts of Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, officials said.

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