Jammu, April 23 – Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), J&K, B. R. Sharma today said that polling in Udhampur Parliamentary constituency (PC), which went to polls in the second phase of the five-phased Lok Sabha elections, was peaceful and incident-free and added that tentatively nearly 45 per cent voter turnout was recorded, which is the same as in 2004 polls. He also said that 56.78 per cent polling was recorded for Bhaderwah Assembly seat, where bye-poll was held along with the Parliamentary elections today.
Addressing a largely attended press conference in
Mr. Sharma said that the elections in the constituency were challenging because of the geographical area involved as well as security-related inputs. “We used two MI 17 and one Cheetah choppers to induct poll parties to remote areas like Marwah and Dachan”, the CEO said.
In order to ensure free, fair and transparent elections, the CEO said that about 421 Micro Observers were deployed, besides 33 videos installed. “Out of over 1900 polling stations, Micro Observers were deployed in 25 per cent of the polling stations”, he said, adding that deployment of Micro Observers helped in fully coordinating the elections process in the constituency.
Mr. Sharma said that for the first time real-time information was available because comprehensive multi-level Communication Plan was put into place across all the polling stations. “Smooth flow of information was possible which allowed us to talk to various Presiding Officers”, he said, adding that absolutely incident-free polling was possible due to micro-level management of security forces and the police.
The Chief Electoral Officer said that only 12 EVMs were replaced across the Parliamentary constituency, attributing it to the effective training of the polling staff. He also said that zero per cent polling was recorded in one polling station at Sarthal, in Kathua district, which was set up for migratory electors.
Giving details of the poll percentage recorded in the six districts of Udhampur PC, Mr. Sharma said that Kishtwar recorded 48.32%, Doda 45.41%, Ramban 33.02%, Reasi 43.91%, Udhampur 39.60% and Kathua recorded poll percentage of 51.57.
Similarly, while giving detailed break-up of Assembly segment-wise voter turnout, Mr. Sharma said that Kishtwar recorded 55 per cent, Inderwal 42, Doda 33, Bhaderwah 57, Ramban 33.50, Banihal 33, Gulabgarh 46, Reasi 42, Gool-Arnas 45, Udhampur 41, Chenani 41, Ramnagar 37, Bani 45, Basohli 55, Kathua 54, Billawar 47 and Hiranagar recorded 53 per cent voter turn out.
For Bhaderwah Assembly bye-poll, a total voter turn out of 56.78 per cent was recorded, which is lower than the Assembly elections 2008 when 65.29 per cent voter turnout was recorded.
The Chief Electoral Officer said that these were provisional figures as final figures will be available only after receiving Presiding Officers’ diaries from all the polling stations of the constituency.
In reply to a question, Mr. Sharma said that the CEO’s office will try to remove whatever errors exist in electoral rolls.
While replying to another question, the Chief Electoral Officer said that after successful completion of elections in
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Rajendra said that proper coordination between Central and State forces and timely action on intelligence inputs allowed peaceful conduct of polls in the Udhampur Parliamentary elections. He said that constant shaking up of the area was undertaken to ensure that no untoward incident takes place in the area.
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