5pc votes polled in 4 hrs in Srinagar LS seat, highest in Ganderbal

Srinagar, Apr 18: About five per cent voters of 12.95 lakh electorates exercised their democratic right on Thursday in the first four hours in Srinagar Parliamentary constituency, spread over three districts of Srinagar, Budgam and Ganderbal in central Kashmir, amid shutdown and unprecedented security arrangements.

An official spokesperson told TNN "an overall percentage of 17.8 per cent was recorded in Udhampur and Srinagar Lok Sabha seats till 1100 hrs."

Giving details, he said about five per cent polling was recorded in Srinagar Lok Sabha seat till 1100 hrs.

He said Ganderbal recorded the highest 6.5 per cent polling during the first four hours, followed by Budgam with 6.4 per cent.

“Srinagar recorded the lowest voter turnout in the constituency at 2.3 per cent till 1100 hrs,” he added.

“28.8 per cent votes were polled in Reasi, 28.5 per cent in Kathua, 28.7 per cent in Udhampur, 19.5 per cent in Ramban, 28.6 per cent in Doda and 23.6 per cent in Kishtwar in the first four hours in Udhampur Lok Sabha seat,” he added.

“Only 11 votes were cast out of 1001 registered voters in the first four hours at a polling station housed at Government Boys High School Natipora in Srinagar,” an official told TNN.

Similarly, an officer posted at a polling station in PM Higher secondary school (number 33) in downtown Srinagar, said that 25 electorates exercised their franchise till 1230 hrs.

The first phase of polling in Baramulla PC on April 11 was by and large peaceful apart from an incident in which a minor was killed in security force action on demonstrators, when poll parties were leaving after the polling.

About 12.95 lakh voters are eligible to exercise their franchise to elect their representative among 12 candidates, including NC president Farooq Abdullah, who is seeking re-election, in the second phase amid unprecedented security arrangements in Srinagar Lok Sabha seat, where mobile internet service has been suspended for security reasons.

Meanwhile, unprecedented security arrangements have been made to instill confidence among the voters to come out and cast their ballots following boycott and strike called by Joint Resistance Leadership (JRL).

Polling began at 0700 hrs at all the polling stations across the PC spread in 15 Assembly segments on a very dull note and will conclude at 1800 hrs.

However, authorities express hope that polling will pick up as the day progress.

Majority of the polling stations in civil lines, down town and Shehar-e-Khas (SeK) has yet to see first voter since the polling began.

However, in uptown some voters, including women, could be seen marching towards polling stations to exercise their franchise.

A number of women voters were first to cast their votes in Burn Hall school in Sonawar area, where Dr Abdullah and his other family members have cast their votes.

However, the situation in Ganderbal and Badgam was entirely different as people were seen casting their votes.

Main towns in both the districts so far saw very poor response.

Ganderbal and Badgam districts, which are part of Srinagar PC, witness heavy to very heavy polling in the past.

Dr Abdullah, National Conference (NC) president x x x picking up from opening para of DEI 4 “ELECTION-JK-SRINAGAR POLLING TWO SRINAGAR”.