Kashmiris ignore poll boycott call, 55 pct turnout

Braving freezing temperatures and ignoring separatists' boycott call, Voters came out in large numbers in some towns with an average 55 per cent turnout recorded in the first phase of the Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir held amid unprecedented security.

Braving freezing temperatures and ignoring separatists’ boycott call, Voters came out in large numbers in some towns with an average 55 per cent turnout recorded in the first phase of the Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir held amid unprecedented security.

The turnout was moderate to heavy and voting passed off peacefully except for stray incidents of violence and protests amid threats of militants disrupting the polls which was held in a curfew-like situation in 10 constituencies spread over four districts of Bandipora, Poonch, Leh and Kargil. Polling in the border state has been staggered over seven phases lasting up to December 24.

Around 55 per cent polling was registered in the 10 constituencies, Chief electoral officer B R Sharma told reporters in Srinagar.

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Sharma said Gurez constituency in the once terrorist-infested Bandipora district recorded the highest voting– 74 per cent– followed by Mendhar (65), Poonch (64), Surankote (58), Kargil (57), Nobra (55), Leh (53), Zanskar (48) and Bandipora and Sonawari (42 each).

Srinagar, Bandipora and other towns were almost totally locked down, as thousands of troops were out in force to prevent anti-election rallies. An estimated six lakh voters were eligible to vote in the first phase.

At least seven persons including a woman were injured as police fired a few teargas shells and used batons to disperse people protesting against holding of assembly elections in Bandipora district, official sources said.

The separatist co-ordination committee had given a call for ‘Jehan election waha challo’ (march to where elections are). But the march to Bandipora, 65 km north of Srinagar town, was foiled by security forces.