KATHUA: Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh said on Wednesday that people have voted in large numbers and excitement among them is palpable in the first phase of the assembly polls in the Jammu and Kashmir. Singh asserted that all the credit goes to Prime Minister Narendra Modi who has mainstreamed democracy in the Union Territory. “People have voted in large numbers and excitement among people is palpable… This is a festival of democracy in its true sense and the people of J&K can experience it for the first time. All the credit for this goes to PM Modi. He has mainstreamed democracy in Jammu and Kashmir. There was good voting in the recent Lok Sabha elections as well. At one point in time no one was ready to become a candidate in Kashmir Valley but today there are so many candidates,” Dr Jitendra Singh said. Meanwhile, the Kishtwar district has recorded the highest voter turnout at 70.03 per cent till 3 pm in Jammu and Kashmir assembly polls, as per the data provided by the Election Commission of India (ECI) on Wednesday. According to the ECI, Doda recorded a 61.90 per cent turnout followed by Ramban at 60.04 per cent, Kulgam at 50.57 per cent, Shopian at 46.84 per cent, and Anantnag at 46.67 per cent. Pulwama district has recorded the lowest voter turnout at 36.90 per cent in the first phase of the assembly polls. The total voter turnout stands at 50.65 per cent. Voting, which commenced at 7 am, concluded at 6 pm. Notably, Kashmiri migrant voters also cast their votes under high security at ITI College Campus in Jammu. Meanwhile, lauding Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) incharge of Jammu and Kashmir and Party National General Secretary Tarun Chugh said that the people of the union territory came out in large numbers and showcased enthusiasm every time the PM paid a visit here. In the first phase, 24 assembly constituencies across the Union Territory voted today; that includes 16 seats in the Kashmir region and 8 seats in the Jammu region. Voting for the second and third phases in J&K will be held on September 25 and October 1, respectively. Vote counting will be held on October 8.
