Polling by and large peaceful in Jammu and Kashmir: Election Commission

The Election Commission (EC) on Tuesday declared that the second phase of the legislative assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir passed peacefully, adding that no incident that took place could have vitiated the poll process.

"The polls in the second phase of the [legislative assembly elections] in Jammu and Kashmir today were peaceful, with no untoward incidents of any significance. There has not been any incident which could have vitiated the poll process as far as the information we have received till now," Deputy Election Commissioner Vinod Zutshi told mediapersons here.

Zutshi also said that there was no usage of the helicopter service in the second phase polling in the state.

"Today unlike phase I, we did not have to use the helicopter services for heavy lifting of poll personnel or anyone else because the weather was very supportive and the roads leading to the polling stations were absolutely clear of snowfall," he said.

Giving details of the polling in the state, Zutshi pointed to the Reasi and Udhampur regions as having the highest voting.

"Polling has been heavy in Reasi and Udhampur. The overall average percentage of the entire second phase is 71 percent (as of 5.30 pm). However, we expect another one to two percent increase in this tally," he said.

"Reasi has recorded 80 percent today, while Udhampur has recorded 76 percent voting. The Lok Sabha tally was 70.81," he added.

Zutshi also did not mention any untoward incident to have taken place at the Kulgam district, which had earlier in the day witnessed boycott of the polls in certain parts of the region.

The results of the five phase polling will be declared on December 23.