Srinagar: Despite the threats of terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir and the boycott of the two main political parties PDP and NC of the Valley, today a large number of people have come out to vote in the second phase. In Kathua, the second phase saw the highest voting of 39.04 per cent in 80 wards, while Doda was second in this list, in which 37.57 percent voter turnout was recorded, followed by 35.7 percent in 26 wards in Reasi district.

In the districts Ramban, Kishtwar and Udhampur, 35.1 percent, 34.1 percent and 30.2 percent of the voting were recorded respectively. In Bandipora, 14.2 percent voting was registered in only 13 wards, whereas Kupwara got only 3 percent of the voting in 13 wards. However, in Baramulla, Srinagar, Kupwara and Anantnag, less voting was recorded with 1.1 percent, 0.8 percent, 3 percent and 0.6 percent, respectively.

Former terrorist Farooq Ahmad Khan, who is contesting local body election on a BJP ticket, cast his vote at a polling station in Srinagar.

Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party President Balwant Singh Mankotia expressed satisfaction over the urban local body elections in this area which held peacefully and said that these elections will definitely give some relief to the people living in this area with respect to the major demands of the people such as waste management, traffic jams, water crisis, electricity for 24 hours. He said that people expect that their demands will be fulfilled this time.