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Voters defy boycott call in Kupwara

KUPWARA: People defied the boycott call given by separatists and came out to vote in large numbers in the five Assembly constituencies in Kupwara district where elections were held on Sunday. Barring a few pro-freedom protests, the polling was peaceful.

Sixty-four per cent polling was recorded. Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Masaud Samoon told reporters that this was higher than the turnout in the 2002 Assembly elections. “At 6 p.m. people were still voting at some polling stations and these figures are tentative,” he said.

Over 10,000 additional security personnel besides the State police were deployed at 448 polling booths declared ‘hyper sensitive,’ District Election Officer Mohammad Abbad told The Hindu. There were a record number of 71 contestants — including five women.

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