Jammu & Kashmir elections: Counting of votes today, all eyes on NC, PDP; BJP hopes for 44-plus

Srinagar: Counting of votes to 87-member Jammu & Kashmir Assembly takes place on Tuesday. While the ruling National Conference has taken a back seat in these elections, opposition Peoples Democratic Party is trying to make a comeback.

There are 46 Assembly seats in Kashmir, 37 in Jammu and 4 in Ladakh region. A total of 821 candidates, including 276 independents, contested the elections to the 87-member House.

The voter turnout in the state was 65 per cent which was 4 per cent more than the last Assembly elections held in 2008-development which has generated hope as well as anxiety among all major political parties.

While the ruling National Conference is claiming that higher voter turnout will benefit it at the hustings, PDP and BJP are maintaining that it is a reflection of the people's desire for a change.

The first phase of elections for 15 Assembly seats held on November 25 saw 72 per cent electorate exercising their franchise, while the second phase of polling for 18 seats also recorded same turnout figures.

The turnout fell to 58 per cent in the third phase of polling for 16 seats and was recorded at 49 per cent in the fourth phase of polls for 18 seats.

The fifth phase of elections for 20 seats, all in Jammu region, also saw over 76 per cent voter turnout. An estimated 65 per cent of voters exercised their franchise in the five phases.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Opposition PDP's chief ministerial candidate Mufti Muhammad Sayeed are among the 821 candidates, who are seeking election from the 87 constituencies.

While Omar is contesting from Beerwah seat in Budgam district and Sonawar seat in Srinagar, Sayeed is seeking re-election from Anantnag Assembly segment in the south Kashmir district.

Counting centres have been set-up at all district headquarters in the state and the process will begin at 8 AM. "28 counting centres consisting of 94 halls have been set-up to conduct the counting process at all district headquarters," state Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Umang Narula said in Srinagar.

Police has made elaborate security arrangements for the counting in the Valley and a strategy has been put in place to deal with any law and order problem which may arise during or after the counting.

In 2008 polls, NC had won 28 seats, Congress 17 and PDP 21. BJP had 11, Panthers' Party 3 and CPM had one. Independents had bagegd six seats.

(With inputs from PTI)