J&K records over 66% polling while Jharkhand registers more than 71% voting in final phase of assembly polls

New Delhi: Polling for fifth and last phase of assembly elections has come to an end in Jharkhand. The state witnessed a huge turnout of 71% across 16 assembly constituencies that went to polls today.

Polling picked up in Jammu and Kashmir by noon and the state  has recorded over 66 percent polling in the fifth and final phase of assembly elections.

"Polling ended peacefully in all the 20 constituencies of Jammu, Rajouri and Kathua districts at 4 p.m. today (Saturday)," said an Election Commission official.

Initial figures indicated that 65 percent voters turned up to exercise their franchise till the voting process ended.

"However, these figures are subject to variation as final reports about poll percentages are still coming in. The day's poll process was peaceful," the official said.

Here we are giving you live updates of the fifth phase polling:

05:00PM: Voting ends peacefully for fifth and final phase in Jammu and Kashmir. Over 66% polling recorded.

03:00PM:  Voting ends peacefully for fifth and final phase in Jharkhand. 71% polling recorded.

02:00 PM: 55.29 % polling recorded for 20 seats in Jammu and Kashmir till 2pm

01:00 PM: Jharkhand: 53.86 per cent polling recorded till 1 pm. (Rajmahal 50%, Borio (ST) 46%, Barhait (ST) 52%, Littipara (ST) 59%, Pakur 60.50%, Maheshpur (ST) 58%, Shikaripara (ST) 60.15%, Nala 56%, Jamtara 57%, Dumka (ST) 43%, Jama (ST) 56%, Jarmundi 57%, Sarath 59.50%, Poreyahat 56%, Godda 47%, Mahagama 48%)

12 NOON: Jammu and Kashmir: 29.75 polling till 12 noon. (Bani 41.00 %, Basohli 27.00 %, Kathua 34.19 %, Billawar 29.88 %, Hiranagar (SC) 30.47 %, Nagrota 34.00%, Gandinagar 24.00%, Jammu East 19.20 %, Jammu West 25.80 %, Bishnah 28.00 %, RS Pura (SC) 38.00 %, Suchetgarh 32.00 %, Marh 38.28 %, Raipur Domana (SC) 33.28 %, Akhnoor 38.52 %, Chhamb (SC) 32.00 %, Nowshara 25.24 %, Darhal 27.21 %, Rajouri 28.04 %, Kalakote 20.65 %)

11 AM: Jharkhand: 34.94% polling recorded till 11 am. (Rajmahal 35%, Borio (ST) 33%, Barhait (ST) 40%, Littipara (ST) 39.50 %, Pakur 41%, Maheshpur (ST) 39%, Shikaripara (ST) 34%, Nala 33%, Jamtara 34%, Dumka (ST) 30.5%, Jama (ST) 33%, Jarmundi 34.50%, Sarath 34%, Poreyahat 37%, Godda 27%, Mahagama 35%)

10 AM: Jammu and Kashmir: 12.09 per cent polling recorded till 10 am. (Bani 15.22 %, Basohli 11.00 %, Kathua 11.71 %, Billawar 10.25 %, Hiranagar(SC) 15.02 %, Nagrota 17.00 %, Gandinagar 10.00 %, Jammu East 10.00 %, Jammu West    9.00 %, Bishnah 14.00 %, RS Pura (SC) 19.00 %, Suchetgarh 16.00 %, Marh 12.00 %, Raipur Domana (SC)     16.69 %, Akhnoor 19.26 %, Chhamb(SC) 16.00 %, Nowshara 9.00 %, Darhal     8.50 %, Rajouri 4.61 %, Kalakote 7.15 %)

9 AM: Jharkhand: 14 per cent polling recorded in first two hours

8 AM: Polling begins across 20 assembly seats in Jammu and Kashmir

7 AM: Polling begins across 16 assembly seats in Jharkhand

Jammu and Kashmir

In Jammu and Kashmir, several high-profile candidates, including Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand, will try their luck in 20 seats spread over three districts – Jammu, Kathua and Rajouri.

The 20 constituencies are: Bani, Basohli, Kathua, Billawar, Hiranagar (SC), Nagrota, Gandhinagar, Jammu East, Jammu West, Bishnah, RS Pura (SC), Suehetgarh, Marh, Raipur Domana (SC), Akhnoor, Chhamb (SC), Nowshara, Darhal, Rajouri and Kalakote.

As many as 18,28,904 eligible voters, comprising 9,59,011 men and 8,69,891 women, are expected to exercise their franchise at 2,366 polling stations.

400 companies of security personnel (each company as approximately 100 personnel) have been deployed for today's polling apart from the regular deployment of police forces.

The first four phase of five-phased polling on November 25, December 2, December 9 and December 14 had seen an unprecedented voter turnout. In the first phase, 71 per cent electorate had exercised their franchise across 15 constituencies spread in seven districts whereas in the second phase, 71 per cent voter turnout was registered in 18 assembly seats. A 58 per cent turnout was recorded in the third phase that involved 16 seats, all in the Valley. The fourth phase of polling ended peacefully on Sunday recording a turnout of 49 per cent, the lowest compared to the earlier three phases..

The legislative Assembly of Jammu and Kashmir comprises 87 members.

Jharkhand

Polling for 16 assembly seats spread across six districts will decide the fate of many heavyweights including Chief Minister Hemant Soren.

The 16 constituencies are: Rajmahal, Borio (ST), Barhait (ST), Litipara (ST), Pakaur, Maheshpur (ST), Sikaripara (ST), Nala, Jamtara, Dumka (ST), Jama (ST), Jarmundi, Sarath, Poreyahat, Godda and Mahagama.

Altogether 208 candidates, including 16 women, are testing their luck in this phase, an Election Commission release said. Polling will begin at 7 AM and end at 3 PM in all the 16 constituencies.

Jharkhand Assembly Speaker Shashank Shekhar Bhokta is seeking re-election from Sarath, while state Rural Works Minister Lobin Hembrom is in the fray from Borio constituency. Both are Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) candidates.

A total of 36,90,069 including 17,84,486 women voters will exercise cast their franchise in this round.

There are a total of 4,448 polling stations (including Auxiliary-30) with 149 in urban areas. As many as 833 of them are hyper-sensitive and 1,496 are sensitive.

The first phase of the five-phased polling for 13 seats on November 25 had witnessed a record 61.92 per cent polling whereas the second phase in 20 constituencies across seven Maoist-hit districts too recorded a higher voting percentage of 65.72 percent on December 2. The third (17 seats) and fourth phase (15 seats) of polling witnessed 60.89per cent and 61 per cent voting, respectively.

Jharkhand Assembly comprises 81 members.

Counting of votes in both states will take place on December 23.