Jammu, Apr 19: Udhampur-Kathua-Doda constituency, which went to polls in the first phase of General Elections 2024 on Friday, registered 68.27 polling.
As per the office of the Chief Electoral Officer, J&K, by the end of polling, 68.99 percent polling was recorded in 48- Inderwal AC; 65. 44 percent in 49- Kishtwar AC; 70.06 percent in 50-Padder Nagseni AC; 63.01 percent in 51-Bhaderwah AC; 68.14 percent in 52-Doda AC; 69.36 percent in 53-Doda West AC; 66. 71 percent in 54-Ramban AC; 58.78 percent in 55-Banihal AC; 73.28 percent in 59-Udhampur West AC; 73.26 percent in 60-Udhampur East AC; 69.47 percent in 61-Chenani AC; 66.61% in 62-Ramnagar AC; 62.70 percent in 63-Bani AC; 66.28 percent in 64-Billawar AC; 64.91 percent in 65-Basohli AC; 73.68 percent in 66-Jasrota AC; 75.44 percent in 67-Kathua AC and 72.65 percent in 68-Hiranagar.
Meanwhile, J&K Chief Electoral Officer P K Pole expressed gratitude to the electorate for voting despite weather challenges and appreciated polling staff for performing duties in inclement weather.
A government spokesperson said that undeterred by the weather vagaries across the expansive canvas of the five districts of Doda, Kathua, Kishtwar, Ramban, and Udhampur underwent polling as the voters embraced their civic duty with fervour and exhibited unwavering determination.
Undaunted by the challenges, the polling parties ensured the first phase of polls in Jammu and Kashmir were held with grace and resolve.
The polling for first phase of General Elections to 18th Lok Sabha in Parliamentary constituency Udhampur concluded peacefully.
“It is especially highlighted that due to weather latest updated reports are awaited from some of the polling stations, specially located in remote hilly areas of Kishtwar, Gandoh, Ramban, Dudu-Basantgarh etc, the polling percentage is likely to increase slightly. Once all polling parties, especially from remote areas reach respective district headquarters, the firm poll percentage will be known and the same will be shared separately with media,” the spokesperson said.
Notably, last time this constituency had recorded over 70 percent polling.
After two hours of polling, 8.44 percent polling was recorded in the constituency at 9 am. By 11 am, 22.60 percent voters had cast their votes, while by 1 pm, 43.11 percent votes were cast. By 3 pm, 57.09 percent voting was recorded. By 5 pm, 65.08 percent polling was recorded in the constituency.
District wise breakup is 67.75 percent for Kishtwar, 66.42 percent for Doda, 62.42 percent for Ramban, 70.76 percent in Udhampur and 70.06 percent in Kathua district.
There were 2,637 Polling stations set up for 16.23 lakh voters of 5 districts. More than 11,000 polling staff have performed poll duty. Actual polling started from 7.00 am and continued till 6.00 pm or conclusion of polling row, whichever was later. At every polling stations, basic minimum facilities of water, electricity, toilet, ramp, verandah/ waiting room etc were made. Even wheel chair and helper were provided to needy voters. Around 1440 polling stations had CCTV for live webcasting to control rooms. In order to ensure inclusive voting, 19 number of polling booths manned by women (also called as pink polling stations), 14 number of polling booths manned by specially abled persons and 17 number by youths. Also, in order to spread messages about environmental concern, there were 20 green polling stations. To facilitate voters identification, apart from EPIC card, other documents such as Aadhaar Card, Bank Passbooks, Driving License, PAN Card, Govt employee ID card etc documents were also allowed as per ECI directions. Media facilitation was done through the passes for more than 660 journalists.
“Under the overall supervision and guidance of the Election Commission of India, Chief Electoral Officer, J&K and respective DEO encouraged all eligible voters to come forward and cast their votes responsibly,” the spokesperson said.
“Your vote is your voice, and it plays a pivotal role in determining the direction of governance and development in the region,” the CEO J&K said.
Encompassing an expansive area of 16,707 square kilometres, the constituency has a diverse electorate comprising 16,23,195 eligible voters. Among them are 845,283 male voters, 777,899 female voters and 13 third gender voters, reflecting the inclusivity of democratic process.
With the culmination of the voting process today, the fate of 12 candidates, who are in fray, was sealed into EVMs.
These candidates included BJP candidate Dr Jitendra Singh; Congress candidate Chowdhary Lal Singh; Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP) candidate G M Saroori, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) candidate Amit Kumar; Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party (JKNPP)-Bhim candidate Balwan Singh; Ekam Sanatan Bharat Dal candidate Manoj Kumar; independent candidates Dr Pankaj Sharma, Rajesh Manchanda, Sachin Gupta, Swaran Veer Singh Jaral, Mohammad Ali Gujjar and Mehraj Din.