Srinagar/Jammu, Sep 25 (UNI) An estimated 36.93 percent voter turnout was recorded till 1 pm in 26 constituencies spread over six districts—three in the Kashmir valley and as many in the Jammu division, said the Chief Electoral Office.

In Jammu division the voting percent was witnessing gradual increase and recorded at Gulabgarh (53.94 pc), Poonch Haveli (51.57 pc), Surankote (50.96 pc), Reasu (50.25 pc) Shri Mata Vaishno devi (49.47 pc) Reasi (50.25 pc), Thannamandi (47.58 pc), Rajouri (47.36 pc), Budhal (47.5 pc), Mendhar (46.96 pc) recorded till 1 pm.

The lowest turnout of 46.8 percent was recorded in Kalakote in the Jammu region.

In the Kashmir region, Khansahib recorded highest 45.44 pc turnout, followed by Kangam (45.0 pc), Chrar-i-Sharief (44.26 pc), Chadoora (36.65 pc), Beerwah (40.95 pc), Ganderbal (35.8 pc), Budgam (31.68 pc), Eidgah (23.0 pc), Zadibal (19.25 pc), Lal Chowk (19.11 pc), Central Shalteng (19.14 pc), Chanapora (18.21 pc), Hazratbal (18.07 pc), Khanyar (16.07 pc) while Habbakadal recorded the least 11.14 pc till 1 pm.

As voting started at 7 am, long queues of enthusiastic voters were seen waiting for their turn to exercise their right to franchise.

Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi appealed to voters in Jammu and Kashmir to use their franchise. “I appeal to all voters that they must cast their votes and play an important role in strengthening democracy,” Modi said while greeting the first-time voters.

Over 2.5 million voters will decide the fate of 239 candidates in the fray for 26 Jammu and Kashmir assembly seats in the second phase of the election underway in the Union Territory from 7 am to 6 pm.

Second phase voting will decide the fate of former chief minister and National Conference vice president Omar Abdullah who is contesting from two constituencies of Budgam and Ganderbal.

In Budgam, Omar is in contest against Peoples Democratic Party's Agha Syed Muntazir, cousin of NC leader and Member Parliament Rullah Mehdi. The fate of J&K BJP chief Ravinder Raina, who is contesting from Nowshera seat, will also be decided in this phase.

The BJP chief is facing a tough challenge from former MLC Surinder Choudhary who is fighting the elections on an NC ticket.

The other prominent candidates whose fate will be decided in the second phase include Congress J&K president Tariq Karra from Central-Shalteng; Apni Party chief Altaf Bukhari from Channapora, jailed cleric and separatist leader Sarjan Ahmad Wagay from Ganderbal and Beerwa, NC leaders Ali Mohammad Sagar from Khaniyar, Rahim Rather from Chrar-i-Sharief, BJP leaders Aijaz Hussain from Lal Chowk, Choudhary Zulfikar from Budhal and Syed Mushtaq Bukhari from Surankote.

More than 13,000 polling staff have been posted at 3,500 polling stations set up across 26 assembly constituencies of Jammu and Kashmir, where voting is in progress. A multi-tier security blanket has been thrown around each polling station to ensure the voting in an atmosphere free of fear.

Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir are being held nearly after a decade.

The first phase was held on September 18 that recorded an impressive turnout of over 61 per cent and the last phase is scheduled on October 1. The counting will take place on October 8.

UNI QAB/MJR/VBH AKS