Kashmir Valley: Mere 6 pct turnout recorded in 83 wards of civic polls amidst tight security

Over six per cent of the electorate turned out to cast their votes on Monday in the 83 wards of urban local bodies in Kashmir during the first six hours of polling in the first of the four-phased elections in the valley amidst tight security arrangements, an official said.

"Over 5,400 voters have exercised their franchise till 1.00 pm at the 150 polling stations set up in the 83 wards across the Kashmir Valley where polling is going on today," the official said.

Around 85,000 voters including 40,800 women are eligible to vote in the valley.

Out of 30,074 voters in three wards of Srinagar Municipal Corporation, 1,500 have turned up at fortified polling stations.

Polling was brisk in north Kashmir as more than 29 per cent of 4700 voters cast their votes in the first two hours for Kupwara Municipal Committee, followed by 21 per cent in Handwara town, the official said.

The poll percentage in Bandipora, Baramulla, Anantnag and Budgam municipal areas was around five per cent.

The polling, which began at 7.00 am and will conclude at 4.00 pm, is being held for only 83 wards in the valley today as 69 wards have been won uncontested.

Of the 150 polling stations in the Kashmir division, 138 polling stations have been categorized as hypersensitive.

The urban local body polls were announced last month but two major political parties -- the National Conference and PDP -- have boycotted the elections accusing the Centre of not taking a firm stand on the protection of Article 35-A of the Constitution, which is facing a legal challenge in the Supreme Court.

Militants have issued threats, and killed two National Conference workers, to anyone participating in these polls, resulting in absence of any campaigning by the candidates.

In fact, in dozens of wards especially in south Kashmir, no candidate filed nomination papers for the polls.

For ensuring the security of candidates, they have been moved to safe locations and their details have not been made public.

(With inputs from agencies.)