Jammu: Despite the fog and the chill, enthusiastic voters queued up at polling stations Saturday here in the fifth and final phase of assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir.
Ballotting began on a slow note early in the morning but as the day progressed, more and more men and women turned up at the polling booths.
Polling is being held in 20 assembly constituencies that are spread over Jammu, Kathua and Rajouri districts.
Three polling stations were set up at the Kendriya Vidyalaya in Gandhinagar constituency of Jammu district.
In the first half an hour, around 50 votes had been cast here as voters came in large numbers to elect representatives for the 12th state assembly.
“I am sure I have voted for the candidate who will work against corruption and give opportunities to youth according to their talent and not family lineage,” said 24-year-old Sheetal, who was among the first voters.
At a model polling station in Gandhinagar area, arrangements have been made by the poll authorities to serve tea to the voters.
“Adequate arrangements have been made in the polling stations lying close to the international border and LoC in Jammu district. Contingency arrangements have also been made to shift polling stations to safer locations if there is any incident of firing from across the border,” Ajeet Kumar Sahu, district election officer, told IANS.
He added that security checkposts have been set-up to ensure that subversive elements are prevented from interfering with the democratic process.
In Jammu East, Jammu West, Bishnah, Marh and Nagrota constituencies, considerable numbers of voters had turned up at the polling stations.
In the border constituencies of R.S. Pura, Suchetgarh and Akhnoor, voters came out in larger numbers compared with urban centres.
Women voters outnumbered men in Hiranagar border constituency of Kathua district.
In far-flung Bani and Billawar constituencies of Kathua district, voting started on a low key although poll officials said the process would pick up as the fog lifts and the day progresses.
In the four constituencies of Rajouri, Kalakote, Darhal and Nowshera in Rajouri district, voting was slow in the morning.
Polling started at 8 a.m. today and will end at 4 p.m.
Over 18 lakh voters are eligible to decide the fate of 213 candidates.
The vote count takes place Dec 23.