Less than seven per cent of the over 3.45 lakh electorate came out to vote till 1pm during polling in Kulgam district of Jammu and Kashmir — part of the Anantnag Lok Sabha constituency — on Monday amid stringent security arrangements, officials said.
The voting in the second leg of the three-phased schedulefor the Lok Sabha seat would decide the fate of 18 candidates, including formerchief minister Mehbooba Mufti.
The overall poll percentage in district Kulgam at 1.00 pmwas 6.67 per cent, the officials said.
They said the polling so far has been peaceful in themilitancy-hit district in the restive south Kashmir.
Polling will end at 4.00 pm, instead of usual 6.00 pm,following a request by the state police to the Election Commission.
The Kulgam district, which comprises four assembly segmentsof Kulgam, Devsar, Noorabad and Hom Shalibugh, has 3,45,489 electors including1,79,607 males, 1,64,604 females, 1,265 service electors and 13 transgendervoters.
The Anantnag Lok Sabha constituency is spread over fourdistricts of Anantnag, Kulgam, Shopian and Pulwama with 16 assembly segments.
The Lok Sabha polls to this constituency are being held inthree phases due to security reasons.
Anantnag district went to polls on 23 April, while voting inPulwama and Shopian districts will take place on 6 May. (with PTI inputs)