Jammu and Kashmir Does it Again, Turnout Magic Holds

New Delhi: The turnout in the second
phase of elections in Jammu and
Kashmir equalled the spectacular first phase, with a figure of 72%. The
Election Commission expects it to go further up when the final figures
come in. The first phase of the
elections, held on November 25, saw a record turnout of 72.1% - the highest in 25 years.

Here are the latest developments in this story:

1. The election fever in Jammu and Kashmir had heightened in this leg
after the record turnout of the first phase. In the run-up to the polls,
militants, who had not enforced their election boycott call this time,
had made their presence felt with three attacks - one of which cost 10
lives.

2. Security had been tightened in the wake of the attacks and the Election Commission said the voting was
peaceful in the state.

3. Polling was also held in Jharkhand, where a turnout of 65.5% was recorded - up 5% from the last assembly elections. The figure is
higher than even the first phase, which saw a turnout of 62.5%.

4. In Jammu and Kashmir, 18 seats went to polls, 175 candidates
were in fray, including four sitting
ministers.The ruling National Conference had six seats, Congress three, PDP four, JKNPP two, BJP one, CPI(M) one and independent one.

5. This is the first election in 25 years in which people have ignored the bitter cold and a boycott call by
separatists.

6. The militancy-hit border district of
Kupwara recorded 86% turnout - 18 per cent higher than the 2008
election.

7. The second phase of elections too, saw a high voltage campaign. Prime Minister Narendra Modi
held two rallies in Udhampur and Poonch. Congress Vice President
Rahul Gandhi also addressed a rally in Poonch.

8. The state is seeing a
four-way battle between the Congress, Chief Minister Omar
Abdullah's National Conference, the Jammu and Kashmir People's Democratic Party (PDP) and the BJP, which has set itself the target of winning 50 plus seats in the 87-member assembly, with an eye on
forming government.

9. The Congress and the National Conference had won the last Assembly elections. They were
partners till July this year, when they parted ways and decided to
contest separately this year.

10. In the national elections this year, the BJP registered its best
performance ever in Jammu and Kashmir, winning three of six Lok
Sabha seats. The PDP had won the other three, with the Congress-
National Conference alliance routed.