58% turnout recorded in 3rd phase of Assembly Elections in Kashmir

Srinaga, December 09, (Scoop News)- About 58% voters have exercised their franchise in the 3rd phase of Assembly Elections-2014 held in 16 constituencies in the valley spread across three districts of Baramulla, Budgam and Pulwama.
Giving details at a press conference, at Banquet Hall Srinagar here today, the Chief Electoral Officer said the highest turnout was recorded as 82.14% in Chrar-i-Sharief Assembly constituency of district Budgam while the lowest was recorded as 30% in Sopore Assembly constituency of Baramulla district. He also added that Baramulla district recorded overall voter turnout of 57%, Budgam district 73% while Pulwama district recorded 42.45% voter turnout.
The CEO informed that in 7 Assembly Constituencies of Baramulla District, Uri recorded 79%, Rafiabad 63%, Sopore 30%, Sangrama 56.15%, Baramulla 45%, Gulmarg 72% and Pattan recorded 60% voter turnout.
While in 5 Assembly Constituencies of Budgam District, Chadoora recorded 65%, Budgam 70%, Beerwah 74.14%, Khan Sahib 73% and Charar-i Sharief 82.14%.
Besides in 4 Assembly Constituencies of Pulwama district, Tral recorded 37.68¬%, Pampore 46.48%, Pulwama 38.31% while Rajpora recorded 47.06% voter turnout.
The Chief Electoral Officer said 16 Assembly constituencies that went to polls today were spread over three districts for which as many as 1781 polling stations were set up, which included 129 critical, 577 hypersensitive and the rest as sensitive ones.
The CEO added that 144 candidates were in the fray for these 16 constituencies which comprised 13, 69,102 electors including 7, 17,839 male and 6, 51,245 female voters besides 18 third gender voters.
Mr. Narula informed that web casting was done in 111 Polling Stations while at 118 polling stations digital and at 133 polling stations video cameras were installed for free, fair and smooth conduct of polls.
Mr. Narula said that 16 General Observers, 4 Expenditure Observers, 3 Police Observers, One Awareness Observer besides 268 micro observers and about 11200 poll officials were deployed for the smooth conduct of polls.
He said elaborate arrangements were made to facilitate voters to exercise their franchise in a free and fair atmosphere adding that the polling percentage may increase after consolidation of figures.
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