Brisk polling in Jharkhand; moderate in Kashmir Valley

Moderate polling was recorded in the nine constituencies of the Kashmir Valley which went to polls in the second of the five-phase Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir.
Nearly five per cent voter turn out was recored in the first one hour. Polling was by and large peaceful. About 16.32 per cent turnout was recorded in the first two hours in 20 Jharkhand Assembly constituencies across seven Maoist-hit districts where polling was underway today in the second phase.

Serpentine queues could be seen at many polling stations as voters waited for their turn.

According to official figures, Lolab Assembly segment in Jammu and Kashmir recorded the highest turnout of 10.5% in the first hour of polling.

Kulgam Assembly segment also recorded a good turnout of 5.14% during the corresponding period.

Langet recorded 4.76% followed by Devsar at 4.43% and Handwara in north Kashmir Kupwar district at 4.02%.

Noorabad Assembly segment in south Kashmir Kulgam district recorded 3.6 per cent, Home-Shalibugh had 1.9 per cent of polling.

Data for Kupwara and Karnah was not yet available. 

In Jharkhand Brisk polling was being reported from many places, an Election Commission official said.

"Long queues can be seen at several booths," he said.

Barring the replacement of a defective EVM at one of the booths in the Jaganathpur assembly constituency, polling was going on smoothly and peacefully, the official said.

Amid tight security, polling began at 7 AM in all the 20 constituencies.