38% voting in Srinagar, 2nd highest since 1989: CEO

Srinagar, May 13:

The Srinagar parliamentary constituency recorded 38 percent voting during the 4th phase of Lok Sabha polls on Monday.

The official app of the J&K administration confirmed the voting percentage of 38.3 percent in the Srinagar parliamentary constituency at 10 pm.

Earlier, addressing media persons here, Jammu and Kashmir’s Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Pandurang Kundbarao Pole said that around 36.58 percent voting turnout was recorded till 5 pm.

He said that the figures would increase till the scheduled time of voting closes.

The CEO said that the voting percentage was the second highest since 1989.

“The highest turnover of the past three decades has been witnessed today in Srinagar parliamentary constituency through voting,” he said.

The CEO showered praise on the civil administration, Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF), and J&K Police for taking up this challenging task.

He said the officers and officials engaged in the election process worked tirelessly for the last two days since they were dispatched to their respective polling booths to ensure the smooth conduct of the elections in the Srinagar parliamentary constituency.

“Overall, the polling process was peaceful, with no negative incidents occurring during the voting process as well as during the campaigning period,” the CEO said.

He said that over the past three to four years, there had been an improvement in the environment which resulted in increased enthusiasm among the people to participate in today’s voting.

“Even the contesting candidates played a crucial role in mobilising people for their participation in voting," the CEO said.

He said that the voter turnout recorded in the Srinagar parliamentary constituency was the second-highest turnout since 1989.

Giving details, he said that the voter turnout in the 2019 parliamentary election in the Srinagar Lok Sabha constituency was 14 percent, in 2014, it was 25.86 percent, in 2009, the polling percentage was 25.55 percent, in 2004, it was 18.57 percent, in 1990, the polling percentage was 11.93 percent and in 1998 it was 30.06 percent.

“The highest voter turnout was reported in 1996 at 40.94 percent after 1989,” the CEO said.

He said that around 2135 polling stations were established across 18 assembly constituencies of Srinagar.

"Voting started at 7 am and continued till 6 pm until the queues ended. There were 8500 civil employees and a significant presence of security forces. A 24x7 control room was operational as well,” the CEO said.

He said that every polling station was under CCTV surveillance. “No events occurred inside or outside any polling station that would necessitate re-polling at any polling booth,” the CEO said. “However, the final decision on this is made by the concerned observers.”

He said that the voting turnout in assembly constituency of Kangan was 58.80 percent, Ganderbal 49.48 percent, Hazratbal 28.28 percent, Khanyar 24.24 percent, Habba Kadal 14.05 percent, Lal Chowk 27.33 percent, Channapora 22.97 percent, Zadibal 29.41 percent, Eidgah 26.81 percent, central Shalteng 26.43 percent, Khan Sahib 50.35 percent, Charar-e-Sharif 56 percent, Chadoora 49.10 percent, Pampore 38 percent, Tral 40.29 percent, Pulwama 43.39 percent, Rajpora 45.79 percent and Shopian 47.88 percent.

“Basic facilities such as washrooms, ramps, and waiting seats were available at every location. Female and male helpers assisted all those voters who required it,” the CEO said.

He said that around 2 lakh young voters were registered in the Srinagar Lok Sabha constituency.

“Special polling arrangements were made for migrants at 26 locations including 21 in Jammu, one in Udhampur, and four in Delhi,” the CEO said.

He said that by 5 pm on Monday, around 6000 migrants had exercised their voting rights.

“There was no boycott, and zero percent voting was not recorded anywhere,” the CEO said.

However, he said that preventive measures were taken in those cases where individuals had criminal history and the measures were taken before the election schedule was announced.

“We ensured that polling booths witness polling and remain incident-free,” the CEO said.

“Any complaints regarding the distribution of money will be documented by the department and decisions will be taken accordingly,” he said about the complaints received against one polling booth in Srinagar.

However, the CEO said that Srinagar recorded the lowest EVM replacement rate at 0.1 percent while Jammu reported the highest at 3 percent.

Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner (DC) Srinagar, Bilal Mohiuddin Bhat said that the Srinagar Lok Sabha constituency witnessed brisk polling amid a festive atmosphere wherein children were seen playing inside the premises of polling booths for the first time in the last three decades.