Kashmiris ignore poll boycott call, 55 pct turnout

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

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.