Jammu, Ladakh defy boycott call, high turnout recorded

JAMMU: Despite terror threats and boycott call of urban body polls by the National Conference and PDP, Jammu region where three districts went to polls on Monday, recorded a healthy voter turnout as people came out in large numbers to vote in the first phase of elections.

While Rajouri district with 59 local bodies recorded a maximum of 81% voter turnout — highest in the state, it was followed by Kargil at 78.2%, Poonch at 73.1% and Jammu at 63.83%.

Deputy commissioner Ramesh Kumar said the elections were peacefully conducted in 153 wards of Jammu district.

“There were a total of 154 municipal wards in Jammu district but in ward number 6 in border town of Arnia a candidate was elected uncontested and hence 153 municipal wards went to polls on Monday,” he said.

He added that for 75 wards of the Jammu Municipal Corporation, 447 candidates were in the fray that included 75 from BJP, 74 from Congress, 23 from Panthers Party and 274 independents.

Kumar added that for the first time EVMs were used in the civic polls and there was a “good” voter turnout.

A total of 584 polling stations were set up and the polling was conducted under tight security arrangements, he added.

The deputy commissioner said there was cooperation from all stakeholders in the civic elections being held after a gap of 13 years in the state.

“It is a big achievement indeed,” he said.

He informed that the counting of votes will take place at government polytechnic college on October 20 and the results will be announced on the same day.

Kumar also said on five hypersensitive polling stations, the administration conducted web casting.

“Micro observers from the Centre did independent monitoring on all the polling stations,” he said.

He added that out of a total of 600 EVMs used for polling in Jammu district, five developed technical snags, but were immediately replaced.