South Kashmir comes out to vote

Arshad Hamid — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 18:02:14 +0000

In the fifth phase of a staggered seven-phase- election process,
thousands of people queued up outside polling stations amid stringent
security arrangements and chilling cold to vote in 16 constituencies
across Jammu and Kashmir. A total of 63 per cent turnout was recorded in this phase, government officials said.
The polling which began on Wednesday morning, will decide the
electoral fortunes of 271 candidates, including two former chief
ministers — Mufti Mohammad Sayeed and Ghulam Nabi Azad.
Mufti Sayeed of the People’s Democratic Party is fighting from
Anantnag, while as Ghulam Nabi Azad of the Congress is seeking
re-election from Bhaderwah in Doda district.
Brisk polling was recorded across all the polling stations and no
affect of boycott was felt despite the boycott call from separatists.
At places like Anantnag, Bijbehara, Dooru, Pahalgam, Kulgam, Qazigund
and some other areas people were seen in the queues outside polling
booths since morning.
The voter turn-out was low this morning due to chilly conditions
however it picked up soon after. As per officials 1,268 polling
booths were set up for the connivance of 11.65 lakh eligible voters to
cast their franchise.
“We are casting our votes so that development is carried out in our
constituency and employment avenues are generated,” said Muzaffar
Ahamd, a voter at Kulgam.
Like the earlier five rounds of polls for the legislative assembly an
undeclared curfew was clamped in Srinagar and major towns which were
not going to polls Wednesday to prevent the separatist rally. The
proactive coordination committee - an amalgam of trade unions,
separatists, businessmen, lawyers, etc - that came into existence
during the Amarnath land row and spearheading the election boycott had
appealed to people to march towards the districts where polling was
being held.
The main contest in south Kashmir is between the National Conference
and the PDP, though other parties like Indian National Congress, the
Panthers Party, the Samajwadi Party, the Lok Jan Shakti Party, the
Awami National Conference, the Bharatiya Janata Party and the
Communist Party of India (Marxist), and many independents, are also in
the race.
As compared to 2002 assembly elections when 124 candidates were in
contest, this time a record number of 271 candidates including 11
women contestants are trying their luck.
Ten former ministers ' Abdul Aziz Zargar, Abdul Rehman Veeri, Abdul
Gaffar Sofi, G A Mir, Peerzada Mohammad Sayeed, G M Saroori, Mehboob
Beg, Sakina Itoo, Peerzada Ghulam Ahmed Shah, Mohammed Akbar Gannie '
are also seeking a re-election in the state Assembly.
State CPI (M) chief Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami is also in the fray.
The elections for the state legislature, which began Nov. 17, are
being held in seven phases through Dec. 24. On Dec. 28 the counting of
votes would take place and results would be made public.
The voting in the ongoing elections has been largely peaceful with a
higher-than-expected turnout of over 60 percent. The first phase
recorded nearly 69 per cent turnout. Second phase recorded 65 per
cent. Third phase recorded 68 per cent. Fourth and fifth phase
recorded 55 per cent and 57 per cent respectively.

Fourth phase of elections saw journalists at receiving end

Arshad Hamid — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 17:00:38 +0000

In the fourth phase of a staggered seven-phase- election process, thousands of people queued up outside polling stations amid stringent security arrangements to vote in 18 constituencies across Jammu and Kashmir.
However, unlike the brisk polling in first three phases, the boycott and the anti-election demonstrations at some places in north and central Kashmir were stark and brought down the poll percentage in the 4th phase.
Officials put the recorded turnout in this phase around 56 per cent.
The massive anti-India and anti-election demonstrations were witnessed in most parts of Sopore, where only 14 per cent turnout was recorded. Sopore is the hometown of hard line Kashmiri separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani. Geelani had asked people to keep away from polls.
Uri constituency recorded the highest turnout of 71 per cent in Kashmir.
At places like Baramulla, Tangmarg, Khan Sahib, Pattan, Chadoora, Charar-e-Sharief and some other areas, moderate to brisk polling was reported.
People participating in the elections by and large try to de-link the elections with the insurgency going on in Kashmir and the recent aazadi movement that draw enormous people on roads demanding implementation of UN resolutions in Kashmir. The people cite their own reasons to vote. “Elections have no bearing with what is going on here. Kashmir resolution is a major issue. We participate in elections to get rid of day-to-day problems. I’m exercising my right for we need to have our own government that will address our grievances. We are trying to disqualify those who got elected in past elections by general boycott. They have victimized and exploited us. This time we have decided to oppose them,” said Mohammed Amin Dar, a voter at Khan Sahib constituency in Budgam.
Like the earlier three rounds of polls for the legislative assembly an undeclared curfew was clamped in Srinagar and major towns which were not going to polls Sunday to prevent the separatist rally. The proactive coordination committee - an amalgam of trade unions, separatists, businessmen, lawyers, etc - that came into existence during the Amarnath land row and spearheading the election boycott had appealed to people to march towards the districts where polling was being held.

kashmirnews's blog

South Kashmir comes out to vote

Fourth phase of elections saw journalists at receiving end