SRINAGAR: The fourth phase of elections for eighteen Assembly seats in Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday witnessed 49 per cent polling while the poll percentage in eight segments in Srinagar rose by 7 per cent from the last election.
Eighteen Assembly segments – eight in Srinagar, six in Anantnag, three in Shopian and two in Samba district in Jammu province - went to polls today amidst tight security.
The polling passed off peacefully in all the 16 seats in the Valley and two seats in Jammu barring some minor clashes between the workers of political parties and few slapping incident.
A BJP candidate for Shopian district, Javed Ahmad Qadri, entered a polling station in Moochwa area of the south Kashmir and entered into a heated argument with a poling agent of an independent candidate, Shabir Ahmad Kullay.
Locals said the BJP candidate slapped the polling agent in front of the poll officials and voters.
BJP candidate from Amira Kadal constituency, Hina Bhat also entered into a heated argument with a poll official in a polling station in Chanapora area of the constituency.
There are reports that she had slapped a poll official. However, she and the officials have denied that she slapped the poll official.
J&K’s Chief Electoral Officer, Umang Narula told reporters in the Srinagar that Srinagar district recorded 28% polling, which was 7 per cent up than 2008 polls. The poll percentage in eight seats in Srinagar in 2008 polls was 21 per cent.
“The South Kashmir’s Anantnag district recorded 61% polling, Shopian 50% and Samba 81% polling,” he said.
He said the highest turnout was recorded in Vijaypur Assembly constituency of district Samba while the lowest was recorded in Habba Kadal Assembly constituency of Srinagar district.
Giving details of poll per centage in Srinagar, Narula said Hazratbal Assembly constituency recorded 29.36%, Zadibal 23.64%, Iddgah 27.79%, Khanyar 26.12%, Habba Kadal Assembly 21.01%, Amira Kadal 24.81%, Sonwar 44.17% and Batamaloo seat recorded 24.34% voter turnout.
In 2008 polls, Hazratbal constituency had recorded 28.91% voting, Zadibal 17.30 %, Idgah 22.07%, Khanyar 17.41%, Habba Kadal 11.62 %, Amira Kadal 14.98%, Sonawar 39.61% and Batamaloo.
Narula said in 6 assembly segments of Anantnag district, Anantnag seat recorded 38.67%, Dooru 63.94%, Kokernag 64.90%, Shangus 67.27%, Bijbehara 53.87% and Pahalgam 68.53% turnout.
He said Wachi and Shopian Assembly constituencies in Shopian recorded 42.66% and 52.06% voter turnout respectively.
“In two Assembly constituencies of Samba district, Samba recorded 77% and Vijaypur recorded 81.31% voter turnout,” he added.
About candidates involved in slapping incidents, Narula said action will be taken as per law.
182 candidates including Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, PDP chief Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, three ministers and other high profile candidates were in fray for 18 seats.