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Amid tight security moderate polling in J&K, brisk in Jharkhand

by IBNS 01 Dec 2014, 10:49 pm

Srinagar/Ranchi, Dec 2 (IBNS): Amid heightened security arrangements, polling began in 18 constituencies of Jammu and Kashmir and 20 spread across seven Maoist-hit tribal districts of Jharkhand on Tuesday in second of the five-phased state elections.

During the first hour voters, including women and elderly people, braved cold weather and were seen standing in long queues outside various polling stations to exercise their franchise.

The second phase voting will seal the fate of 175 candidates including deputy speaker, four ministers and 11 other sitting MLAs amidst tight security in Kulgam and Kupwara districts after the attacks on village council heads by suspected militants.

Sources said that out of the total 18 constituencies Handwara in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district is in focus as separatist-turned-mainstream politician Sajad Gani Lone is making debut in Assembly polls after unsuccessfully contesting the Lok Sabha polls in 2009.

The second phase polling covered 18 constituencies including five in Kupwara district, four in Kulgam, three seats in Reasi, Udhampur and Poonch district each.

The first phase of polling that was held on November 25 in Jammu Kashmir witnessed over 71 percent voting in 15 seats.

In Jharkhand, former chief ministers Arjun Munda and Madhu Koda and three ministers are among 223 candidates, including 35 women, contesting from 20 seats – of which 16 seats are reserved for tribals.

Jharkhand has an 81-member Assembly.

The third phase of voting in both the states will be held on December 9, fourth phase on December 14 and fifth on December 20. Counting of votes will be held on December 23.

(Reporting by Saleem Iqbal Qadri)