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The turnout was moderate to heavy and voting passed off peacefully except for stray incidents of violence and protests amid threats of militants disrupting the polls which was held in a curfew-like situation in 10 constituencies spread over four districts of Bandipora, Poonch, Leh and Kargil. Polling in the border state has been staggered over seven phases lasting up to December 24.
Around 55 per cent polling was registered in the 10 constituencies, Chief electoral officer B R Sharma told reporters in Srinagar.
Sharma said Gurez constituency in the once terrorist-infested Bandipora district recorded the highest voting-- 74 per cent-- followed by Mendhar (65), Poonch (64), Surankote (58), Kargil (57), Nobra (55), Leh (53), Zanskar (48) and Bandipora and Sonawari (42 each).
Srinagar, Bandipora and other towns were almost totally locked down, as thousands of troops were out in force to prevent anti-election rallies. An estimated six lakh voters were eligible to vote in the first phase.
At least seven persons including a woman were injured as police fired a few teargas shells and used batons to disperse people protesting against holding of assembly elections in Bandipora district, official sources said.
The separatist co-ordination committee had given a call for 'Jehan election waha challo' (march to where elections are). But the march to Bandipora, 65 km north of Srinagar town, was foiled by security forces.


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Inspite of instigation by so called freedom seekers, 59% of Kashmiris took part in the election process. Compare it with 59% polling in federal elections in Canada.Any criticism by western press of the elections in India is bigotry.
kashmir problem isnt going to be sorted overnight, and in the meanwhle, they need the garbage to be cleared, roads to be repaired, electricity, rations, medicine, governance in general to keep going - and for that you need a government in place. the separatists don't want a poll, because they will thrive when there's no government. they also are partly greedy/ selfish in that - if they have freedom they become the rulers. hence, its a good sign that kashmiri people chose common sense over rhetoric,
It is a slap on the face of separatists. People have given their verdict. People want peace, not war or violence. They can't feed on bullets. It is only a bunch of evil leaders receiving huge amount of money from abroad to preach and propogate violence. People don't want talibanization Kashmir!!!
The Seperatists in J
Six Lakhs Eligible voters! 55% so called actual voters =330,000Thousands of troops for 270,000 voters!Foiled March of unknown number of protestors!= Movement for freedom suppressed by Indian Fascist Journalism
You know the reason. Some miscreants from Pak cannot digest a peaceful India. So they brainwash people like you to spread hatred. Thousands of troops were not just in areas where Polling was conducted, you smart alec. It was in other areas too, cant you read the news completely, before preparing a propoganda..oh yes, you dont care about the truth! you just need something to rant about
Kashmiris ignore poll boycott is good sign for Kashmir, many politicians does not want Polls to keep things as it is, Its really good things Kashmiris take initative to participate in voting.
well, its show the mentality of common kashmiries how they prefer to settle down with indian politcal system. I wached phtographs of this story but we should not escape this fact that still lots of person are with separetist. But getting aside lots of hurdle either climate or fear-factor of militancy around 55% people of kashmir came out to cast there their vote, political parties should respect their spirit and commit their promises which they have made.
BRAVO, BRAVO INDIA CRIED, ALL HONOURS WHO VOTE AND TRY.ALL PEOPLE ARE BORN EQUAL AND TO PERSERVE THAT COMMONALITY THEY MUST EXERCISE THEIR DEMOCRATIC RIGHT TO VOTE.HAVE FAITH ON KASHMIR PEOPLE THEY KNOW WHO IS GOOD AND WHO IS BAD.
I hope, all Kashmiris will realize India is the best country to live with full freedom and let them elect their representative to lead them in their own state. Be an Indian and participate in the election. Congratulations to all who participated in elections despite boycott from different groups.
Let's not hope for Kashmiri realization. Indians are mandated to pay higher taxes for J
We should trifarcate the state resettle K-Pndits in Jammu/Ladakh or rest of india and blow up the Jawahar tunnel, cut off all links with Kashmir.
Kashimri should be thankful to the indian govt for providing them ture democracy which has not been experienced in most of the asian countries.Being part of India whcih is a lingustic and worlds second largent democracy every kashmiri should be pround of an Indian.
Shame on this false democratic show ..The army and the police are coercing the ordinary citizen under pressure to their lives to vote like in many previous elections.
>The army and the police are coercing the ordinary citizen under pressureIf that was the case, then there would be 100% voter turnout ! Kashmiris should feel thankful for getting a right to vote
Mr. Lone. How do you know? Are you in Kashmir to witness this? We know that the free Indian press is monitoring this election and given how severly critical it can be of Indian goverrnments we have reasons to trust it specially when all news sites are saying the same thing.
...so many traitos from marching with pakistan flags in Srinagar when the Amarnath land row was on what makes you think they can get them to vote? Last I heard the Army was trying to impose a curfew and prevent people from marching to voting centers to maintain law and order. Your stupid pro-Pak accusation is just that.
Just shut up!!!!You are free to legally immigrate to Pakistan and thereafter can see for yourself the real situation therein also experience it for yourself. Look at Kashmir individually or India as a nation devoide of your linguistic or religions or regional chauvinnism. These are viruses that compels one's brain to malfunction just as demonstrated by you on this page.
just shut up!!! mr. lone. You should be thankful that u'r part of india otherwise pakistan would have made you minority on u'r own paradise called kashmir by setting punjabi muslims as yhey have done in POK.
why u are pasting bad words on kashmiries they don't want to be under democracy