SRINAGAR: Kashmir witnessed lowest turnout of 3.1 percent in the 2nd phase of urban local body elections on Wednesday.
Polling was held on Wednesday for the second phase of the four-phased municipal elections in Jammu and Kashmir to seal the fate of 1,029 candidates in fray across the state.
The Joint Resistance Leadership has called for a boycott of the civic elections, while two major mainstream political parties—the National Conference and People’s Democratic Party—decided against participating in the electoral exercise, citing “assault” on Article 35A which has been challenged in the Supreme Court.
The polling on Wednesday was held in Srinagar, Kupwara, Baramulla, Anantnag, Bandipora, Kishtwar, Doda, Ramban, Reasi, Udhampur and Kathua.
According to figures, the voter turnout stood at 3.1 percent in Kashmir Valley.
Among five districts of Kashmir, the highest voter turnout of 34.65 percent was recorded in Sumbal Bandipora where elections were held for 11 wards. An official said that 2755 votes were polled in Municipal Committee Sumbal.
Polling was held in 20 wards of Srinagar for 2nd phase. 355 votes were polled in Solina, Alochibagh 84, SD Colony 88, Ziyarat Batamaloo 62, Shaheed Gunj 123, Karan Nagar 71, Chattabal 0, Qamarwari 142, Bemina East 212, Bemina West 228, Nundresh Colony 68, Parimpora 116, Zainakoot 943, Lawaypora 1020, Mujgund 453, Tankipora 08, Syed Ali Akbar 08, Basant Bagh 54, Fathe Kadal 28 and in Munwarabad 106 votes were polled with a total percentage of 2.24. Out of total 186085 only 4169 votes were polled in 20 wards of Srinagar city.
In southern Kashmir—which has witnessed a spurt in militancy and street protests from past two years 2016—only 356 voters, male 179 and females 177 out of 31277 eligible voters, exercised their franchise, officials said adding that the poll percentage was 1.14 % at the end of the election.
Jammu Kashmir Police Chief Dilbagh Singh said that both the phases went peaceful as security forces and police did their job properly. He said public’s cooperation was grate and hopefully the two remaining phases will pass off peacefully.
Comments are closed.