Lok Sabha polls: 68.27 per cent polling recorded in J-K's Udhampur amid rains

Udhampur (Jammu and Kashmir): Udhampur constituency recorded a voter turnout of 68.27 per cent as the polling for the first phase of Lok Sabha elections concluded on Friday.

Pandurang K Pole, Chief Electoral Officer, Jammu and Kashmir expressed gratitude to the voters for coming to vote despite weather challenges and appreciated the polling staff for performing duties in inclement weather.

"It is especially highlighted that due to weather latest updated reports are awaited from some of the Polling Stations, especially located in remote hilly areas of Kishtwar, Gandoh, Ramban, Dudu-Basantgarh etc, the polling percentage is likely to increase slightly," the press release read.

There were 2,637 Polling stations set up for 16.23 lakh electors of five districts in Jammu and Kashmir. More than 11,000 polling staff have performed the poll duty.

In Udhampur, the BJP fielded Union Minister Jitendra Singh from Udhampur who has represented the constituency since 2014. Singh had defeated former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad from Udhampur in 2014.

The Congress fielded Choudhary Lal Singh from Udhampur.

This is the first Lok Sabha election in Jammu and Kashmir after the abrogation of Article 370. The elections to the five seats in Jammu and Kashmir will be held in five phases.

While voting was held in Udhampur on Friday, Jammu will go to polls on April 26, Anantnag-Rajouri on May 7, Srinagar on May 13, and Baramulla on May 20.

(With ANI inputs)