Samba records 81.4% polling
JAMMU: Continuing the healthy trend witnessed in nine districts of Jammu region in first and second phase, Samba district recorded an impressive 81.4% voter turnout in third phase of local body election on Saturday.
As many as 365 candidates in 300 polling stations are in fray. hief electoral officer of J&K Shaleen Kabra said, “Samba district recorded 81.4% turnout in third phase of voting.”
Samba deputy commissioner (DC) Sushma Chauhan said, “There was an overall turnout of 81.4% in the entire district. There was no untoward incident and the voting was conducted peacefully at all polling stations.”
Even border areas like Ramgarh witnessed 82.77% voter turnout, amply indicating people’s faith in democratic process, Chauhan said, adding that only one EVM, which developed a technical snag, had to be replaced. She informed that a total of 25,953 votes were polled out of around 31,000 voters.
The four municipal committees of the district recorded a healthy voter turnout. Baribrahmna with 5,408 votes recorded 85.73% turnout, Ramgarh with 3,547 votes recorded 82.77%, Samba with 12,395 votes recorded 78.77% and Vijaypur with 4,603 votes recorded 85.39% turnout.
From centurions to bridegroom, polling stations in Samba district witnessed brisk polling.
After casting his vote, 101-year old Rumal Singh at ward number 16 in Sangwali Mandi said, “Everyone should cast his or her vote and it should not be wasted. I strongly believe in democracy. I hope that whosoever is elected lives up to the expectations of people and works honestly.”
Another voter, 102-year-old Satya Devi in ward number 15 at Mandi Thalora in Samba, said that people should not waste their vote by staying away from electoral process.
The DC expressed happiness over old men and women turning out to cast their votes. “It was heartening to see centurions exercise their right to vote and be part of the democratic process,” she said.
Arun Jamwal,a groom, came in his wedding outfit to cast vote at ward number 6 in Vijaypur and said, “Voting is my right and I didn’t want it to go waste.”
The four phase elections will end on October 16.