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| Record voter turnout indicative of significant change | | | Bashir Assad
Early Times Report
SRINAGAR, Nov 25: The record voter turnout in the first phase of elections in Jammu and Kashmir is an indicative of a very significant but major change is in offing.
According to a very senior diplomat and ace Kashmir expert, the record voter turnout witnessed in the first phase particularly in the Ganderbal and Bandipora districts in Kashmir valley is suggestive of a major but significant change on the political horizon of the state. The senior diplomat being held in very high esteem in Jammu and Kashmir said that the record voter turnout suggests that the youth have participated in the elections in bulk and that the youth may bring change without even talking about it in the electoral politics. The diplomat said that the opinion polls predicting a hung assembly will prove wrong because the youth have participated in bulk. Youth have come out in large numbers while as the opinion polls are largely based on the opinion of the conventional voters.
"The result of the Lok Sabha elections earlier this year were much more significant than predicted in opinion polls," said the senior Diplomat.
He said the youth coming out in such large numbers for the first time since 1987 is an indication that the results would be unexpected but significant.
He said the polling for 15 assembly segments in the first phase also signify that the boycott politics has lost relevance and people want resolution of their problems through universally democratic principles.
Meanwhile, polling ended peacefully today in 15 assembly constituencies in Jammu and Kashmir, officials said. "No major incident of violence has been reported from anywhere," senior official said. Over 70 percent turnout was recorded. Election Commission officials, however, said the percentage was likely to change as the final figures were yet to be received. Although polling ended at 4 p.m., voters who entered the polling station by that time are entitled to vote.
Elaborate security arrangements were put in place to ensure free and fair polls in the first phase of Assembly elections which began today morning amid unprecedented security.
In the 2008 Assembly elections, an average of over 60 per cent polling was witnessed.
The situation across the state has been by and large peaceful so far, barring couple of stray incidents of violence in Ganderbal and Bandipora districts.
Suspected militants hurled grenades at two polling stations in Nowpora area of Bandipora and Naidkhai area of Sonawari but there was no damage done in the explosions.
In Barsoo area of Ganderbal, PDP supporters clashed with National Conference supporters, resulting in minor injuries to one person. Twelve sitting MLAs, including seven ministers, are among 123 candidates trying their luck in the 15 constituencies where polling is underway in all three regions of the state.
While six constituencies in Jammu division have gone to polls, electorate in five segments in Kashmir and four in Ladakh will decide the political fortunes of the aspirants in the polling. |
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