The Hindu : National : 38 p.c. turnout in J&K bypolls

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Oct 14, 2004

National

National

38 p.c. turnout in J&K bypolls

By Shujaat Bukhari

People line up to vote at a polling booth in Srinagar on Wednesday. — Photo: Nissar Ahmad

PAHALGAM, OCT. 13. Amid allegations of coercion and an incident of violence in which 11 persons were injured, by-elections to the four Assembly seats in Jammu and Kashmir went off peacefully today. An estimated 38 per cent of the 3.26 lakh electorate voted. The Batamaloo constituency in Kashmir and Basohli and Akhnoor seats in Jammu recorded an increased turnout compared to the 2002 Assembly elections and recent general elections.

According to the Chief Electoral Officer, K.B. Aggarwal, Pahalgam showed a decline of two per cent.Polling began on a dull note in Pahalgam and Batamaloo. But it started picking up and long queues were seen outside the booths.

In Pahalgam the Chief Minister, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, is contesting against Rafi Ahmed Mir of the National Conference. Kullar and Seer Hamdan villages in the constituency witnessed two explosions last night but there was no report of injury or loss of lives.

Police blamed

Pahalgam town recorded significant polling despite the fact that voters had to trek a long distance from nearby villages. There were accusations that police and security forces coerced people to vote.

The pressure of militants was visible in the Dachhanpora area, which reported low polling.

The Batamaloo segment showed a rise in voter turnout. It recorded 12 per cent compared to four per cent in 2002 and 5.22 per cent in the Lok Sabha elections.

A VOTE AGAINST MILITANCY?: Children watch as their mothers wait to cast their votes at a polling station in Gundhasbhat on the outskirts of Srinagar on Wednesday. — Photo: Nissar Ahmad

Officials denied that security forces or police indulged in coercion. ``The security forces were only giving protection to the voters as militants were hell-bent upon disrupting the elections,'' a top official said.

Mr. Aggarwal denied having received any report of coercion. The Basohli and Akhnoor segments recorded 58.26 per cent and 61 per cent voting respectively, he said and added that ``these figures are tentative.'' He said the elections were held in a free and fair atmosphere.

Polling staff injured

Militants struck at Frislan in Pahalgam at the end of the day. They detonated an improvised explosive device that hit a bus carrying polling staff and security forces.

Eleven persons were injured, including the driver and three polling personnel.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

National