Freezing weather fails to dampen voters’ participation
JAMMU: Continuing with the high voter turnout like past phases, Jammu division again witnessed massive participation of voters amid the Phase-VI polling for District Development Council elections and Panchayat by-polls held today across 17 DDC constituencies.
Amid freezing weather and braving hilly terrain and snow at many places, the voters turned up in large numbers to vote at their respective polling stations.
The enthusiasm was the same among all the age groups. Women, youth and elderly voters were seen waiting in long queues for their turn.
At several places, voters as old as over hundred year were seen casting their votes. The enthusiastic young and first time voters were also seen showing inked fingers.
Undeterred by freezing and dense fog, Mohammad Saidq, 26 was the first voter at Polling Booth Rakh Sarkar, Hiranagar, Kathua.
Byaso Devi, 85 and Mantho Devi, 80 cast their vote at GHS Gurha Mundian Polling Booth in Hiranagar, while Beeru Gujjar, a nonagenarian voted at GPC Trehara polling booth in Barnoti block and centenarian, Bhihar Lal cast his vote at Polling Booth Panchayat Ghar Nagrota in the same block.
The polling in Kathua was held for DDC constituencies, and vacant panch and sarpanch seats in Barnoti and Hiranagar Blocks.
Meanwhile, 5 candidates- 4 for vacant panch seats in Block Barnoti and 1 for vacant panch seat in Block Hiranagar- were declared elected unopposed by respective Returning Officers.
The Phase-6 polling in Doda district was held for DDC Constituencies Ghat and Chiralla at 91 polling stations amid all necessary security and logistic arrangements.
The polling started at sharp 7 am in the morning and long queues were witnessed at each polling booth.
In district Ramban, polling was held in Gandhri and Sangaldan DDC constituencies in a smooth and peaceful manner.
Despite severe cold, the enthusiastic voters started reaching all 68 polling booths since the early morning.
Visually impaired, Mohammad Iqbal Dar, cast his vote at Thetharka polling station of Sangaldan, while PwD voter Suraj Din 86 cast his vote at HS Bhatni. Besides, several first time and old aged voters cast their votes at different polling stations.
Braving foggy weather conditions, Kartaro Devi polled her vote at Polling Booth GPS Marhol Arnia block- Jammu District where polling was held for DDC Bishnah and Arnia.
Long queues of voters were witnessed at border block Balakote. The lone DDC Constituency which went to poll in Poonch district. It recorded over 52 percent polling by 12 noon reflecting the enthusiasm of voters.
District Udhampur witnessed Polling for Udhampur -1 and Jaganoo DDC constituencies and Reasi District polled for DDC constituencies Pouni and Pouni A, while Rajouri District witnessed polling for Doongi and Nowshera DDC constituencies and District Samba for Ramgarh and Rajpura DDC constituencies.