S Tahir-ul Haq
Early Times Report
BANDIPORA, Oct 10: Braving autumn chill and militant threats, Sumbal Municipal Committee (MC) in north Kashmir recorded turnout of 34.65% on Wednesday.
Amid stringent security arrangements and rains, the voting for second phase of ULB elections began at 6 am that ended peacefully. The three MCs of north Kashmir including Watergam, Langate and Sumbal witnessed mixed responses from the voters.
The highest turnout was recorded in Sumbal MC with 34.65 polls while Kupwara remained low at 3.4%. In the first phase of ULB elections, Kupwara had witnessed 26 percent polling.
In Sumbal MC of Bandipora there were total 13 wards, two were declared unopposed, where as in 11 wards, 2834 votes were recorded, and the overall percentage was 34.65% votes.
In Watergam municipal ward of Baramulla, there were total 13 wards, among which 8 were declared unopposed, 7 were from BJP and one was independent. Whereas no form was submitted in four wards and voting for one ward was witnessed, only 19 votes were polled out of 270 votes.
In Langate, there were 13 wards in which 7 were declared unopposed and no form was submitted in two wards, where as there was a tough contest from ward no. 2 and 9. In ward no. 2 only 18 votes were polled and in ward no. 9 only 15 votes were recorded.
A top police official told Early Times that massive security arrangements were put in place to ensure smooth conduct of the polls. There was no untoward incident with related to law and order, polls went peaceful as security forces and police did their job properly, said the official, adding there was an additional reinforcement of paramilitary that remain vigilant throughout the day.
Meanwhile the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) J&K, Shaleen Kabra said that overall 31.3% polling was witnessed in the Phase-II of Municipal Polls-2018 across J&K.
Kabra said in Jammu division 78.6% polling was witnessed in 214 wards that went to polls today while Kashmir division witnessed average 3.4% polling in 49 wards with Bandipora recording the highest 35.6% voting.
The CEO said that 544 polling stations were designated across the State for Phase-II with 270 polling stations in Kashmir Division and 274 in Jammu Division.
He said 1029 candidates are in the fray for 263 Municipal Wards for Phase-II with 881 candidates in Jammu division and 148 in Kashmir division for Phase-II.
In the first two phases, he said, 436285 voters have exercised their franchise out of a total of 933,000 voters who were eligible to vote for these two phases. |
