Jammu and Kashmir polls: 53.2 per cent voter turnout till noon in 2nd phase

Srinagar: Moderate polling was recorded in the nine constituencies of the Kashmir Valley, which went to polls in the second of the five-phase Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday.

Nearly five per cent voter turn out was recorded in the first one hour. Polling was by and large peaceful. Serpentine queues could be seen at many polling stations as voters waited for their turn.

According to official figures, Lolab Assembly segment recorded the highest turnout of 10.5 per cent in the first hour of polling. Kulgam Assembly segment also recorded a good turnout of 5.14 per cent during the corresponding period.

Langet recorded 4.76 per cent followed by Devsar at 4.43 per cent and Handwara in north Kashmir Kupwar district at 4.02 per cent. Noorabad Assembly segment in south Kashmir Kulgam district recorded 3.6 per cent, Home-Shalibugh had 1.9 per cent of polling. Data for Kupwara and Karnah was not yet available.

The polls will seal the fate of 175 candidates, including deputy speaker, four ministers and 11 other sitting MLAs, amidst tight security in Kulgam and Kupwara districts following attacks on sarpanches by militants.

As many as 18 Assembly segments, spread over five districts - two in the Valley and three in Jammu region – will decide the fate of 175 candidates which includes the lone woman minister in the National Conference-Congress coalition government Sakina Ittoo.

Of the 18 constituencies, Handwara in north Kashmir Kupwara district will be the focus of attention as separatist-turned-mainstream politician Sajad Gani Lone is making debut in Assembly elections after unsuccessfully contesting the Lok Sabha polls in 2009.

A total of over 12 lakh voters are eligible to exercise their franchise at 1,900 polling stations in second phase.