Jammu: A turnout of about 59 per cent — the highest in the past seven elections — was recorded in the first phase of Assembly polls in Jammu and Kashmir Wednesday, Chief Electoral Officer PK Pole said, adding polling passed off peacefully.
However, he said the figures are tentative and there might be a fractional increase after the final reports are received from the remote pockets and postal ballots.
The first phase of polls covered 24 seats across seven districts.
Briefing media persons here after polling ended at 6pm, Pole said the elections ended peacefully without any untoward incident.
There are reports of some minor incidents of scuffle or argument from a few polling stations but “no serious incident” occurred that could have forced a repoll, he said.
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“The polling percentage of 59 per cent is highest in the past seven elections — four Lok Sabha polls and three assembly elections,” he said, attributing the increase in the voter turnout to various factors including improved security situation, active participation of political parties and candidates and a campaign by the department.
He said Kishtwar district recorder the highest 77 per cent turnout, while Pulwama district witnessed the lowest 46 per cent.
Pole expressed hope that the remaining two phases September 25 and October 1 will also see high polling percentage.
PTI