The Chief Electoral Officer, Mr. B. R. Sharma, said here on Sunday said that about 65% voting was recorded in the six Assembly constituencies of Ganderbal and Rajouri districts that went to polls in the second phase of polling.

While briefing the media at Media Center, here this evening after the conclusion of second phase of polling, Mr. Sharma said the voting percentage was more than the figures recorded in the 2002 Assembly Elections in these constituencies.

Giving details, the Chief Electoral Officer stated that the voting percentage in Kangan constituency was around 61, in Ganderbal 44.33, in Nowshera 70, Rajouri 67, and in Kalakote and Darhal constituencies 73 per cent each. Stating that these were tentative figures and the final figures will be worked out after actual details are received from all the Presiding Officers of the polling stations, the CEO said this may further increase the poll percentage.

The CEO said that special arrangements had been made for Kashmiri migrant voters of Ganderbal and Kangan constituencies and gave details about the votes cast by the migrants at Udhampur and Jammu today.

The Chief Electoral Officer stated that polling was by and large peaceful, adding that no major incident was reported from any where during the second phase of elections today. Mr. Sharma, however, said that some complaints were received from various quarters which were immediately examined and mostly found baseless.

Replying to a question about the poll percentage figures in the first phase, the CEO denied the allegations and stated that the elections are being held in a totally transparent manner. He said that the long queues outside polling booths is there for every one to see and added that the elections are being held in a free, fair and transparent manner in the full gaze of media.

The CEO also added that this time Micro Observers, who were Central government employees from outside the State, had been appointed to monitor the poll proceedings, adding that 268 Micro Observers were appointed for the second phase. Elaborating on the role of Micro Observers, the CEO stated that they directly report to the Observers, who convey the same to the Election Commission of India.

In reply to another question, the CEO said that the variation in the poll percentage communicated by Returning Officer of Sonawari Assembly constituency was due to tabulation error and the final poll percentage of 59.64% was actual and consolidated from Presiding Officers after tallying with their diaries.

Meanwhile, an official spokesman has described as ridiculous the statement made by Co-ordination Committee, spearheading election boycott campaign in the State that the high polling percentage recorded in the first phase of elections in Jammu & Kashmir on November 17, 2008 was fudged.

Reacting sharply to a media report, the spokesman said that the massive turnout of the electorate was a clear mandate for the electoral and democratic process and vehement rejection of the election boycott call given by separatist organizations. The unprecedented voter turnout, notwithstanding coercion, intimidation and threat, has unnerved the pro-boycott groups. Sensing outright rejection of their politics by people, these elements now come up with fantastic stories to cover up, he said.

The spokesman recalled that the polling on November 17 was internationally hailed as the most fair and free. He said the media-persons who visited the length and breadth of all constituencies reported that people came out in large numbers and voter participation was massive. The electoral exercise was witnessed and described as transparent, free and fair by one and all, he said and added that there was no report of coercion from anywhere.

Even today’s high poll percentage in Rajouri and Ganderbal districts was a further and louder reiteration of people’s rejection of anti-poll and pro-boycott politics and reaffirmation of their faith in democratic values.

The spokesman said that it was right time that the separatist elements read the writing on the wall and stop creating problems for the people by resorting to ill-advised politics of boycott and hartals coupled with violence which has already damaged immensely the interests of the people in the valley. He said the student and traders communities especially have been hit hard by frequent strikes.

The people by coming out in lakhs to participate in the electoral process, have responded with a big “No” to the boycott call given by separatist elements who would do good to themselves and the State by accepting the ground reality that amply demonstrates pro-democracy mood of the people.