POLLING DAY: one must not shy away: 45% voter turnout recorded in 2nd phase

 Udhampur witnesses incident-free polls, 

57% cast vote for Bhaderwah Assembly bye-poll 

Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), J&K, Mr. 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 here this evening, which was also attended by Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, Dr. Pawan Kotwal and IGP, Jammu Zone, Mr. K. Rajendra, 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 Jammu division, some forces will be diverted to Kashmir to strengthen the security grid.  
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.  

As day progressed, so did the polling

As polling came to an end in the six districts of Kishtwar, Ramban, Doda, Reasi, Udhampur and Kathua in the Udhampur Parliamentary constituency, hectic election scenes were witnessed at all the 1,972 polling stations. Though electors were slow in turning up at the polling booths initially, but as the day progressed, so did the polling.
In the hilly districts of Reasi, Doda, Ramban and Kishtwar, voters were seen reaching the polling stations trekking large distances by foot to cast their votes. In Bhadarwah Assembly segment, where bye-polls were being held along with the Lok Sabha elections, enthusiasm among voters was comparatively higher than the other Assembly segments with people queuing up in long lines to elect their representative in the Assembly and the Parliament.
In Udhampur and Kathua also, despite rising mercury, people kept their date with democracy and steady turnout was reported in almost all the Assembly segments.
Defying scorching summer heat, electors were seen queuing up outside the polling stations to exercise their franchise across all the six districts of Kishtwar, Doda, Ramban, Reasi, Udhampur and Kathua in Udhampur Parliamentary constituency today.
The young voters, motivated by extensive media campaign on exercising their right to vote, were conspicuous by their presence outside the polling stations. Ms. Meenu Gupta, first-time voter, standing outside the polling station Bal Niketan-A001, located at High School, Kishtwar reflected the spirit of young India. When quizzed about her experience, she said, “Voting gives us the right to elect our representatives who would take decisions for us. One must not shy away from it.” Another first-timer, Ms. Vina Devi was among those to cast her vote by 9.15 a.m. at 8-C PS, set up at Boys Primary school, Lawang-Alwa in Bani Assembly segment of Kathua district.
Likewise, Ved Singh, 22 was the first time voter to cast his vote at polling station-33 at Government High School, Batroo-Ramsoo in Ramban Assembly segment. Another first-timer, Mr. Mohammad Azim Banday from Kalwanti cast his vote at PS-63 in Ramnagar Assembly segment. Among the first-timers also, the enthusiasm among women voters was more visible.
Reflecting the unflinching faith of voters in democracy, the centurions matched the enthusiasm of young in coming out to cast their votes. At several polling stations across the constituency, old men and women outnumbered the young in coming out to vote. 100-year-old Mr. Ghulam Mohammad cast his vote at PS-88 in Basohli segment while Mrs. Sukh Devi, 100, cast her vote at PS-72 at Boys Middle School, Mahore in Gulabgarh segment. Escorted by her relatives, 105 year-old Mrs. Giano Devi proudly displayed her voting sign after coming out of the polling station 31-A at Middle School, Bani.  
Interestingly, the senior citizens were clearly ahead of their young counterparts among those who were first to cast their votes at the different polling stations. Mr. Saloo Ram, 85 was the first to cast his vote at PS-B-4 at Boys MS, Roulka in Bani segment. Another, Mr. Isher Dass, 85, was the first to cast his vote at PS-18 Amrota Girls Primary School.
Physically-challenged, 80-year-old, Mr. Ghulam Mustafa was the first voter to cast his vote at PS-11-K at Animal Husbandry department in Kishtwar. 
Similarly, Khursheeda Begum, 74, was the first voter to cast her vote at PS-4 in Primary School at Kharpara, Banihal.