56.7% polling in 1st phase of J&K civic body elections
SRINAGAR/JAMMU : Threats from militant groups kept most voters away from polling booths in the Kashmir Valley that saw a turnout of 8.2%, while Jammu and Ladakh divisions recorded more than 65% polling on Monday in the first phase of the urban local body elections held in the state after 13 years.
An overall poll percentage of 56.7 was recorded in the first phase that was by and large peaceful.
The elections are being boycotted by the two main regional parties, the National Conference (NC) and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). Both parties accused the Centre of not taking a firm stand on the protection of Article 35A of the Constitution which is facing a legal challenge in the Supreme Court. Article 35A accords special rights to permanent citizens of J&K.
In the Kashmir Valley, Bandipore recorded the lowest turnout at 3.3% and Kupwara the highest at 36.6%. Militant groups such as the Hizbul Mujahideen had threatened to throw acid at candidates and asked people to remain indoors and not cast their ballots. Streets in Kashmir Valley wore a deserted look and shops were shut.
Unlike previous local body and panchayat polls, this time there were no queues outside polling stations in 58 wards of Kashmir. Though polling was held under tight security from 7am to 4pm, it was peaceful barring an incident in which the BJP candidate from Bandipore was injured when a stone hit him near a polling station.
In the election to 238 wards in Jammu division, the turnout was 65%. In Leh and Kargil districts of Ladakh division, 55.2% and 78.1% of the electorate cast their votes, respectively. The overall polling percentage in Ladakh was 62.1.
In Anantnag, where polling was held for the Kokernag municipal committee, 7.3% voters exercised their franchise; in Budgam district, 17% voters took part and in Bandipore, a mere 3.3% polling was recorded. In Srinagar, where polling was held for three wards of the Srinagar Municipal Corporation, 6.2% polling was recorded. Baramulla saw 5.1% voting.
The election authorities kept the identities of the candidates from the valley secret for security reasons, prompting people to term the polls “secret elections”. In the Jammu region, Rajouri district with 59 local bodies recorded a maximum voter turnout of 81%, the highest in the state, followed by Kargil at 78.2%, Poonch at 73.1% and Jammu at 63.83%.
The credit for the conduct of urban local body polls goes to residents of the state who have shown faith in democratic processes and norms. The boycott of main political parties has resulted in weakening the process, but the idea of decentralisation remains valid. No issue can be resolved by violence. Changes in the demography of the valley have also been a huge positive.
Aadil Bhat, Chandigarh