Thursday, February 17 2005 20:30 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Jammu: An estimated 79 percent of the voters today (Feb 17, 2005) cast their votes in the twin border districts of Rajouri and Poonch of Jammu and Kashmir in the State's final phase of civic polls which passed off peacefully.

Over 81 percent polling was registered in four committee areas of Rajouri district comprising of 34 wards, while the turnout was over 76 percent in one council of Poonch district comprising 17 wards, State chief electoral officer R K Gupta told mediapersons in Jammu this evening.

Barring a clash between two rival groups outside a polling station in Rajouri town in which three persons were injured, the exercise was peaceful and smooth in both the border districts, he said adding polling continued at the same station after police dispersed the warring groups.

Gupta said he had received complaints of bogus voting from a ward in Poonch town and the Deputy Commissioner of the district has been asked to look into the complaints and suitable action will be taken after receiving the report.

He said that with today's polling all the seven phases of civic elections in the State have been completed where 12.80 lakh voters exercise their right to franchise.