The seven phase polls to the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly concluded on Wednesday, as voters braved biting cold and boycott calls by secessionists to average a total of 63 percent voting in what authorities say will go down as the most credible election in the state.
Of more than 48 lakh eligible voters, over 30 lakh keyed in their choice, the officials said.
Despite sporadic incidents of violence during the seven phase polls that lasted over a month, the exercise remained by and large peaceful in the state.
The first phase held November 17 saw 64 per cent of electorate exercising their franchise. The polling in 10 constituencies in the Muslim dominated Kashmir Valley, the Hindu majority Jammu region and the mainly Buddhist Ladakh proved a turning point for other parts of the region vying for peace and development.
The second round November 23 saw even a higher turnout, with 65 per cent voters casting the ballot in two constituencies of the Kashmir Valley and four in the Jammu region.
The third phase recorded a voting of 62 per cent in the five constituencies, which went to polls on November 30. Fifty-five percent of the electorate voted December 7 in the fourth phase of the elections.
The fifth phase on December 13, which saw some violence and the killing of an anti-poll protester, witnessed 59 per cent of the electorate participating in the exercise.
The sixth round of balloting on December 17 ended peacefully with about 63 per cent of the electorate turning out to vote.
In the last phase of elections on Wednesday, the people in Jammu and Kashmir again defied boycott calls to queue up in large numbers even in the summer capital - Srinagar, which remains the hub of the secessionist movement.
At least 52 per cent voting was recorded in 21 constituencies that went to polls in the last crucial round of balloting.
The summer capital Srinagar recorded its highest voting percentage of 20 in the last 19 years, officials said.
No constituency in Srinagar had recorded even 10 per cent voting in any election since 1989 when the separatist campaign began. But the script on Wednesday was an absolute contrast.
Election results will be declared on December 28. The main contest is between the National Conference, Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Of more than 48 lakh eligible voters, over 30 lakh keyed in their choice, the officials said.
Despite sporadic incidents of violence during the seven phase polls that lasted over a month, the exercise remained by and large peaceful in the state.
The first phase held November 17 saw 64 per cent of electorate exercising their franchise. The polling in 10 constituencies in the Muslim dominated Kashmir Valley, the Hindu majority Jammu region and the mainly Buddhist Ladakh proved a turning point for other parts of the region vying for peace and development.
The second round November 23 saw even a higher turnout, with 65 per cent voters casting the ballot in two constituencies of the Kashmir Valley and four in the Jammu region.
The third phase recorded a voting of 62 per cent in the five constituencies, which went to polls on November 30. Fifty-five percent of the electorate voted December 7 in the fourth phase of the elections.
The fifth phase on December 13, which saw some violence and the killing of an anti-poll protester, witnessed 59 per cent of the electorate participating in the exercise.
The sixth round of balloting on December 17 ended peacefully with about 63 per cent of the electorate turning out to vote.
In the last phase of elections on Wednesday, the people in Jammu and Kashmir again defied boycott calls to queue up in large numbers even in the summer capital - Srinagar, which remains the hub of the secessionist movement.
At least 52 per cent voting was recorded in 21 constituencies that went to polls in the last crucial round of balloting.
The summer capital Srinagar recorded its highest voting percentage of 20 in the last 19 years, officials said.
No constituency in Srinagar had recorded even 10 per cent voting in any election since 1989 when the separatist campaign began. But the script on Wednesday was an absolute contrast.
Election results will be declared on December 28. The main contest is between the National Conference, Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
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