Fifth phase polling in J-K 76 percent, overall in all phases 65.5 percent

Stating that the assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir was peaceful, the Election Commission on Saturday announced that, while the turnout today was average 76 percent, the overall polling percentage in the state in all phases was 65.5 percent.

"The turnout today has been average 76 percent overall. In Kathua, the voter turnout has been 79.68 percent, Jammu has recorded 73.92 percent and in Rajouri the district voter turnout has been 77.84 (percent). This percentage of 65 which I have mentioned for the entire state is certainly going to increase by half percent, so one can expect the overall state percentage to be around 65.5. But details will come only when we calculate the total voters.... 65.5 could be taken as the tentative figure for the overall state elections," Deputy Election Commissioner Vinod Zutshi told mediapersons here.

Zutshi also said that it has been the highest turnout in the last more than 25 years as compared to the earlier elections.

"I would like to mention that in 2008 it was 61.42 percent and in 2002 it was 43.09 (percent)," he said.

Giving an estimate about the drugs and cash seized in total during the polling, Zutshi said: "The final cash seizure figure has been 68.69 lakhs, liquor has been worth five lakh rupees, drugs, narcotics has been worth seven lakhs, and total paid news cases in the entire state for the entire election process till today has been 21."

He also termed that this election was historic as the people participated with great enthusiasm and thanked election officials, media, political parties and candidates for extending their co-operation in peacefully conducting the polls.

In Jammu and Kashmir, the polling for the fifth and final phase of assembly elections was conducted today across 20 constituencies in the border districts of Jammu, Kathua and Rajouri.