Nearly 80 per cent of over 1.26 lakh voters exercised their franchise in Jammu while there was a low voter turnout yet again in Kashmir with 3.4 per cent of 2.20 lakh electorate casting their votes Wednesday in the second phase of municipal polls in the state, officials said.
People in Jammu division voted with full enthusiasm on Wednesday but in Kashmir the voter turnout was three per cent. An overall 70 per cent voter turnout was seen in three districts of Chinab Valley, Udhampur and Kathua districts.
About two per cent of the electorate voted in the first five hours of polling in 49 wards of urban local bodies in Kashmir Valley, officials said. Voting began in the Valley began at 6 am and continued till 4 pm.
The first of the four-phased municipal elections was held on Monday after a hiatus of 13 years.
But, two key parties in the state -- the National Conference and Mehbooba Mufti's People's Democratic Party (PDP) -- have abstained from the elections.
