JOIN USThe polling percentage in the third phase of Assembly elections in Jammu & Kashmir was less than the first two, but in most of the segments it was better than what was recorded in the 2008 elections.
While in first two phases, 72 per cent voting was recorded, the turnout dipped below 60 and settled at 58 per cent in the third phase. However, several Assembly segments which went to polls in third phase are considered bastions of separatists and militants like Sopore in north Kashmir and Tral in south.
Sopore segment, the home town of hardline Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Geelani, witnessed a jump of more than 10 per cent voting compared to 2008. While the constituency recorded 30 per cent polling this time, last time it was 19.95. And in Lok Sabha polls in May this year, Sopore witnessed just over one per cent polling.
However, in militancy infester Tral constituency the polling percentage this time was much lesser than 2008 elections. While the turnout recorded in 2008 was 48.69 per cent this time only 37.68 per cent voters exercised their franchise. However, it was much better than four per cent the Assembly segment recorded in the Lok Sabha polls.
Pulwama and Rajpora Assembly segments in south Kashmir, Khansahib constituency in central Kashmir’s Budgam district and border constituency of Uri in north Kashmir also saw slight dip in voting compared to 2008.
While Pulwama had recorded 40.84 per cent and Rajpora 50.61 per cent voting in 2008, the percentage dipped to 38.31 per cent and 47.06 per cent respectively. Khansahib Assembly segment had recorded 74.87 per cent polling in 2008 compared to 73 per cent this time while Uri saw a dip of more than two per cent this time from 81.73 per cent.
However, rest of the constituencies saw better turnout than 2008. When compared to 2008 turnouts, Rafiabad recorded 63 per cent this time as against 51.87 per cent, Sangrama 56 percent compared to 47.12, Baramulla 45 per cent compared 33.31 per cent, Gulmarg 72 per cent compared to 59.80 per cent and Budgam 70 per cent as against 55.17 per cent. The other constituencies, too, showed a higher turnout as compared to 2008.