Keeping pace with the popular voter response that marked first three phases of J&K Elections 2008, the overall voter turnout in the 18 constituencies spreading in the four districts, which went to polls on Sunday (Dec. 07), has been recorded at 59 per cent.

This voter turnout in these constituencies is much higher than the 2002 elections, which is normally considered the landmark election in the history of Jammu and Kashmir.

In 2002 elections, the polling percentage in these constituencies was 48.36. A rise of almost 11 per cent has been recorded in 2008 which can be termed as a healthy trend as it clearly shows better voter participation.

Among the districts Reasi recorded maximum of 75 per cent polling followed by Udhampur and Budgam districts with 62.67 per cent and 62.44 per cent, respectively. The Baramulla district recorded lowest 47.48 per cent.

It may be recalled that in the first phase of elections in 2002, the polling percentage recorded was 69 while as the voter turnout in the 2nd phase was 68.29 per cent and in the 3rd phase 68.22 per cent.

The heavy polling in the four phases is a clear triumph of democracy despite the campaign for boycott of election by some elements.

In Sunday’s polling, Uri Assembly constituency recorded massive voter turnout of 82 per cent and Sopore the lowest of 18.89 per cent.