Jammu and Kashmir Polls: Srinagar Moves On From Boycott Politics - 28% Polling a 25-Year Record

In Srinagar, people turned out to vote for "development" - a mandate for democracy after the record turnout in the first two phases that crossed 70%. In 2008, Srinagar recorded 20% polling.

The high turnout in Srinagar is historic and it will give legitimacy to elections in the state, said patron of the opposition People's Democratic Party, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed. "There is fear of the BJP and hopes of a transparent government by the PDP that is driving voters today," he said.

Polling began on a sluggish note this morning, but picked up as the day progressed. Sixteen seats in the Valley and two in Jammu region voted today.

The National Conference (NC) and the opposition PDP were toe-to-toe in this phase, with the ruling party fighting to retain the eight seats of Srinagar. The PDP is trying to move beyond its bastion South Kashmir.

The BJP has ruled out a post-poll alliance with any regional party in Jammu and Kashmir, "We have no political relationship with these two regional parties (the NC and the PDP) as we have different ideologies," said Union minister and senior BJP leader Arun Jaitley.

While casting his vote at Sonwar, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said he missed his father, who was undergoing surgery in London for kidney ailment. "My thoughts are with my parents. I wish I could be there with them but that wasn't to be," he tweeted this morning.

BJP candidate from Amira Kadal, Hina Bhat, was accused of misbehaving with a poll official.  Javed Ahmad Qadri, BJP candidate from Shopian allegedly thrashed a voter inside a polling station.

In Jharkhand, the polling percentage has jumped by nearly 8% - the corresponding figure of 2008 was 52.9%.

Jharkhand's Chandankyari registered the highest polling percentage of of 71.28, followed by Madhupur at 70.20, sources in the Election Commission said.

The last phase of polling will be held on December 20. The counting of votes will take place on December 23.