21.72 per cent votes cast in Udhampur-Doda LS seat

Jammu (PTI): An estimated 21.72 per cent of the total 13.62 lakh electorate exercised their franchise in the first half of polling in the Udhampur-Doda parliamentary constituency in the second phase of the Lok Sabha polls on Thursday.

The polling percentage in two assembly segments of Kishtwar and Inderwal in Kishtwar district was 19.21 per cent, while it was 20.50 per cent in two other assembly segments of Doda and Bhaderwah in Doda district, Chief Electoral Officer B R Sharma said.

It was 21.72 per cent in five assembly segments of Bani, Basholi, Kathua, Billawar and Hiranagar in Kathua district, 25.66 per cent in three assembly segments of Gulaggarh, Reasi and Gool-Arnas in Reasi district and 22.40 per cent in three assembly constituencies of Udhampur district, he said.

The highest polling percentage of 29.99 was recorded in Gool-Arnas assembly segment and the lowest of 15.00 per cent in Doda segment, the CEO said.

The authorities have set up 1,972 polling stations across six districts of the constituency to facilitate the voters to decide the fate of 14 candidates, including a woman and four Independents.

Meanwhile, 26 per cent polling has also been registered in Baderwah assembly segment, where bye-polls are also being held on Thursday. link...