Voters queue up in Jammu

Voters lined up at polling stations across the Jammu region in the second of the five-phase elections in Jammu and Kashmir Tuesday.

However, intense morning fog and winter chill prevented them to come out in large numbers in the Kashmir Valley.

Balloting began in 18 assembly constituencies Tuesday, officials said.

Enthusiastic voters lined up in queues outside polling stations in Udhampur, Chenani, Ramnagar and Reasi constituencies, while the voter turnout was low in the morning in Gulabgarh, Gool Arnas, Mendhar and Poonch Havelli constituencies of the Jammu region.

In the Valley, voters could not come out in large numbers in south Kashmir Devsar, Homeshallibugh, Noorabad and Kulgam constituencies because of the cold winter.

In the north Kashmir Kupwara district also where polling has begun for five constituencies, the voter turnout was low in the morning.

Officials said voting is expected to pick up as the day warms up.

Over 1.5 million voters will get to decide the political fate of 175 candidates in the fray. Polling started at 8 a.m. and will end at 4 p.m.