J&K assembly polls: Voters defy militants, over 70% turnout recorded so far

[Dash]

So, the Hurriyat bozos have got a lot of egg on their faces!! No one cares for these yahoos anymore!

But Nawaz still insists on speaking with these turds who have zero credibility in Kashmir!! Jeeez!

and Modi will sulk

 

[Vinayak Tiwari]

Far more than Hurriyat expected.

 

[Fireurimagination]

How so ?

B'coz separatists called for poll boycott and 70% turnout means 70% people of J&K care a rat's azz to what separatists say and do

 

[Kaniska]

The voting % is far better than even big states like Maharastra or Tamilnadu....Poor sepratist and old boy Geelani...

J&K assembly polls: Voters defy militants, over 70% turnout recorded so far - The Times of IndiaJ&K assembly polls: Voters defy militants, over 70% turnout recorded so far - The Times of India


JAMMU/SRINAGAR: Polling ended peacefully on Tuesday in 15 assembly constituencies in Jammu and Kashmir that voted in the first phase of the five-phase assembly elections, officials said.

"No major incident of violence has been reported from anywhere," a poll official said in Jammu.

Over 70 per cent turnout was recorded till 4pm, an Election Commission official said.

Election commission officials, however, said the percentage was likely to change as the final figures were yet to be received.

Although polling ended at 4pm, voters who entered the polling station by that time are entitled to vote.

Enthusiastic voters queued up at most polling stations in the valley and the Jammu region. Even a separatist boycott call in the valley evoked no response as men and women came out in large numbers to vote.

Polling was low key initially because of the winter cold in the morning, especially in the Ladakh region where temperatures were much below the freezing point.

As the day progressed, voting picked up in the Ladakh region. Voters lined up at polling booths in Gurez, Kangan, Ganderbal, and Bandipora constituencies.

In the Jammu region, Doda, Kishtwar, Inderwal, Bhaderwah, Banihal and Ramban also saw voters turn up at booths.

No major untoward incident was reported from anywhere.

"Polling started peacefully at all the 1,787 polling stations spread over seven districts," an official said.

Over a million voters will decide the political fate of 123 candidates in the fray.

Reports from Leh, Kargil, Zanskar and Nubra constituencies of the Ladakh region said both Muslim and Buddhist voters turned up.

Enthusiasm was palpable in Lar town of Ganderbal constituency as both the National Conference and the Peoples Democratic Party candidates belong to this town. A poll official had to ask their supporters to remain calm at a polling booth.

Long queues were also seen in Sumbal town of Sonawari constituency and in Bandipora town of Bandipora constituency.

A Ganderbal polling booth, with 878 registered voters, was set up at a high school because of a poll bycott call. Only 65 votes were cast in the Lok Sabha election, but more than 250 votes were cast in the first hours on Tuesday.

In Nubra, Leh, Kargil and Zanskar constituencies of Ladakh region, the morning temperature was several notches below the freezing point.

The morning cold also affected the early voter turnout in Doda, Bhaderwah, Kishtwar, Inderwal, Ramban and Banihal constituencies in the Jammu region.

Still, young voters queued up at the Hariganimen polling booth of the Kangan constituency in Ganderbal district. Dressed in traditional Kashmiri attire, most of them probably were first-time voters.

The total number of registered voters at this booth is 642 - 335 males and 307 females - of whom around 50 votes were cast by 8.30am.

Mamina, a 20-year-old student, said: "I will vote for somebody who will work for development of this backward area."

Vote count will take place on December 23 after the last phase of the five-phase elections end on December 20.
The voters said they were voting for change in the valley, while those in the Jammu region said they were voting for change and development.

"We have decided to participate in the elections to vote for change," said Nisar, 24, who was voting for the first time.

The young and first-time voters were particularly enthusiastic about casting their vote.

"Yes, I have voted and I have no fear in admitting this. It is time all youth came out to bring change which is only possible through the power of ballot," said Irshad, 25, at Inderkote polling station in Sonawari constituency.

The election commission deputed 225 micro observers, besides webcasting 159 polling stations.

 

[Armstrong]

B'coz separatists called for poll boycott and 70% turnout means 70% people of J&K care a rat's azz to what separatists say and do

Separatists have been calling for a boycott since ever; it didn't seem rational the first time they called it nor does it seem right now so naturally the people didn't listen to it.

How does that establish that the people of J&K are with India, Pakistan or Independence ?

 

[Kaniska]

I think Modi will trounce all opposition and romp home to victory. This is a very amusing situation for me . But I guess this will finally also end the separatist phase in Kashmir history- they will truly belong to the dust bin after this.

Does not matter...what it matters for me that people of the troubled region established faith in the democratic process of my nation rather supporting terrorist sympathiser separatist...Wheather BJP wins or not it is our internal debate and this is secondary in nature...

 

[utraash]

Now Mr. Geelani n co can dig their grave themselves peacefully..... There cannot be more befitting answer to so called Kashmiri cause...... Gr8 by people of jnk...

 

[Kaniska]

Separatists have been calling for a boycott since ever; it didn't seem rational the first time they called it nor does it seem right now so naturally the people didn't listen to it.

How does that establish that the people of J&K are with India, Pakistan or Independence ?

It means either people are selfish, oppertunistic and hypocrate that on one hand they would like to access the democratic option provided by the Gov of India and on the other hand they would like to be separate...Or, the call of separation of India may be there...but it may be limited to some part of the Kashmir valley..which is not across the entire Jammu and Kashmir...

You can not have both thoughts together...You can not vote and trust faith in Indian constitutional process and then ask to be separated from the same nation....

 

[Dash]

Separatists have been calling for a boycott since ever; it didn't seem rational the first time they called it nor does it seem right now so naturally the people didn't listen to it.

How does that establish that the people of J&K are with India, Pakistan or Independence ?

It will not, and that's good because nothing can be established.

 

[Armstrong]

It means either people are selfish, oppertunistic and hypocrate that on one hand they would like to access the democratic option provided by the Gov of India and on the other hand they would like to be separate...Or, the call of separation of India may be there...but it may be limited to some part of the Kashmir valley..which is not across the entire Jammu and Kashmir...

You can not have both thoughts together...You can not vote and trust faith in Indian constitutional process and then ask to be separated from the same nation....

By that logic throughout the Indian Independence movement just because the People and the Parties involved were taking part in the Elections they had abrogated their stance on the Independence of India as opposed to maintaining it in simultaneity because the both are mutually exclusive of each other !

One voting for social and economic considerations does not override one's political stance on a disputed or contentious issue; otherwise every Independence Movement where the People initially took part in the Elections (e.g the Irish Free State) while calling for Separatism would be misconstrued to be hypocritical, opportunistic and selfish.

 

[Narashima]

By that logic throughout the Indian Independence movement just because the People and the Parties involved were taking part in the Elections they had abrogated their stance on the Independence of India as opposed to maintaining it in simultaneity because the both are mutually exclusive of each other !

Huge voter turnout indicates that kashmiris are defying extremism and choosing democracy to give their opinion.
having said that the result of the elections will fix the Kashmiris opinion whether they want independance or not.

 

[Juggernautjatt]

For the first time in 25 years, people ignored a boycott call by separatists. Hats off to people of Jammu and Kashmir who defied militant threats and came out in large numbers to vote. It is a clear victory of democratic principles of our country. Most important aspect of today's election was no militancy-related incident was reported in Jammu and Kashmir today.

 

[Rajaraja Chola]

ha..I am sure there are many, by the way no body is here from the other side of the border!, what went wrong?? any guess

Everything went wrong today

 

[ARPANET]

anything for the greater good.. even if it means less of a chance for BJP due to high turnout in the valley! Classic catch-22 situation for the separatists.... to call for a boycott or not to?

NOPE. Infact now a competition will start b/w Jammu & Valley (Healthy ofcourse) & BJP may sweep jammu while PDP wins Valley.

Close contest for SLP b/w the two, but my instinct says BJP will be the one & you will see collision govt. b/w the two.

 

[Guynextdoor2]

How so ?

means they believe the govt is representative. That's all it takes. You don't get 80% of the pop for some stopgap govt. The process is mainstream now.