SRINAGAR/LEH: Braving freezing temperatures and ignoring separatists' boycott call, voters came out in large numbers in some towns with an estimated 55 per cent turnout recorded today in the first phase of the Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir held amid unprecedented security.
The Election Commission said the turnout was around 55 per cent while an official spokesman in Srinagar said it was about 64 per cent. An estimated six lakh voters were eligible to vote. 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.
Ten constituencies spread over four districts of Bandipora, Poonch, Leh and Kargil in the border state went to polls staggered over seven phases lasting up to December 24. Chief Electoral Officer B R Sharma told reporters in Srinagar that around 55 percent polling was registered in the 10 constituencies but said the figure was "tentative" and subject to revision till the final data came in.
With no incident of any militant violence reported, 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).
Voter turnout in Bandipora was nearly double than in the 2002 elections when it was a mere 25 per cent. In Gurez the turnout was 43 per cent in the previous polls. Srinagar, Bandipora and other towns were almost totally locked down, as thousands of troops were out in force to prevent anti-election rallies.
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.
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