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65% turnout in second round of J&K polls
24 Nov 2008, 0137 hrs IST, M Saleem Pandit, TNN
SRINAGAR: With thousands of armed troops standing guard, Kashmiris yet again defied the separatist boycott call and harsh weather to vote in
large numbers in the second phase of Jammu and Kashmir polls on Sunday. About 65% of the nearly five-lakh electorate voted to decide the fate of 81 candidates, including National Conference leader Omar Abdullah. The first round of voting last week saw a turnout of 67%. ( Watch )
Kashmir divisional commissioner Masood Samoon said polling in six constituencies Kangan, Ganderbal in the Valley and Nowshera, Darhal, Rajouri, Kalakot in the Jammu region was by and large peaceful. Polling in the region was between 44% and 73%. Kangan and Ganderbal reported turnouts of 60% and 44%, he said, against 52% and 35% in 2002.
National Conference chief Omar Abdullah said the jump in the turnout in his constituency of Ganderbal would work in his favour and help him reclaim his family's traditional stronghold. "I toured Ganderbal and was delighted to see the voters' excitement," he said. "I'm confident that I'll win by a huge margin and this would be an index to National Conference's popularity."
Analysts say absence of the militant threat has also contributed to the high voter turnout. For the first time in 20 years, militants have pledged non-violent elections. More than 800 people were killed in the terrorist violence sin the run up to polls in 2002.
The second round of the vote in the staggered balloting came less than 24 hours after police killed two anti-poll protesters at Baramulla fuelling concerns about its likely impact on Sunday's polling.
Sporadic incidents of violence were also reported. Hundreds of protesters stoned a polling station and clashed with security forces at Kurhama near Ganderbal. "Police and paramilitary soldiers swung batons to drive away the protesters," a police officer said. The violence temporarily halted voting at the booth, but scores of voters soon returned to cast the ballot.
"Voting is my right and nobody can stop me from exercising it. Hurriyat's boycott call doesn't bother me. They don't run the government but only create the fuss," said Masooda Bano (20), a first time voter.
24 Nov 2008, 0137 hrs IST, M Saleem Pandit, TNN
SRINAGAR: With thousands of armed troops standing guard, Kashmiris yet again defied the separatist boycott call and harsh weather to vote in
large numbers in the second phase of Jammu and Kashmir polls on Sunday. About 65% of the nearly five-lakh electorate voted to decide the fate of 81 candidates, including National Conference leader Omar Abdullah. The first round of voting last week saw a turnout of 67%. ( Watch )
Kashmir divisional commissioner Masood Samoon said polling in six constituencies Kangan, Ganderbal in the Valley and Nowshera, Darhal, Rajouri, Kalakot in the Jammu region was by and large peaceful. Polling in the region was between 44% and 73%. Kangan and Ganderbal reported turnouts of 60% and 44%, he said, against 52% and 35% in 2002.
National Conference chief Omar Abdullah said the jump in the turnout in his constituency of Ganderbal would work in his favour and help him reclaim his family's traditional stronghold. "I toured Ganderbal and was delighted to see the voters' excitement," he said. "I'm confident that I'll win by a huge margin and this would be an index to National Conference's popularity."
Analysts say absence of the militant threat has also contributed to the high voter turnout. For the first time in 20 years, militants have pledged non-violent elections. More than 800 people were killed in the terrorist violence sin the run up to polls in 2002.
The second round of the vote in the staggered balloting came less than 24 hours after police killed two anti-poll protesters at Baramulla fuelling concerns about its likely impact on Sunday's polling.
Sporadic incidents of violence were also reported. Hundreds of protesters stoned a polling station and clashed with security forces at Kurhama near Ganderbal. "Police and paramilitary soldiers swung batons to drive away the protesters," a police officer said. The violence temporarily halted voting at the booth, but scores of voters soon returned to cast the ballot.
"Voting is my right and nobody can stop me from exercising it. Hurriyat's boycott call doesn't bother me. They don't run the government but only create the fuss," said Masooda Bano (20), a first time voter.