By IANS,
Jammu : Polling was peaceful in Jammu and Kashmir Thursday as 49 percent of the 1.7 million electorate Thursday cast their votes in the first round of the five-phase Lok Sabha elections.
Of the state’s six parliamentary constituencies, voting was held in Jammu constituency only, which is spread over four districts – Poonch, Rajouri, Jammu and Samba. In the 2004 election, the constituency had recorded about 45 percent voting.
Chief electoral officer B.R. Sharma said Jammu district recorded the highest 51 percent, followed by 49 in Samba and Poonch. Rajouri recorded 47 percent.
“This is higher percentage than 2004 Lok Sabha polls, when the polling percentage was 44.9,” Sharma said.
Inspector General of Police K. Rajendra told reporters that “there was no major disturbance any where in the constituency.”
There are 21 candidates in fray in Jammu-Poonch parliamentary constituency. The main contest is between Bharatiya Janata Party’s Leela Karan Sharma and Congress’ Madan Lal Sharma, who is seeking re-election.