 S Tahir-ul Haq
Early Times Report
BARAMULLA, Nov 28: Braving chill a large gathering of voters was seen on different polling stations across North Kashmir and the highest poll percentage was recorded in Kupwara during the first phase of DDC polls.
As per figures given by the authorities, the polling percentage in Bandipora was 43.57, Baramulla 32.51 and Kupwara 50.74. Despite harsh cold in the far flung areas of North Kashmir, particularly in the high altitudes of Kupwara, Bandipora and Baramulla district, a huge voter turnover was recorded with the highest percentage of polls was recorded in Kupwara district.
Disclosing the constituency break-up in Tangmarg block C Wanigam, it was 45.65 %, Khaipora 44.35, Tangmarg 45.55, Wailoo 36.18 and total poll percentage in these blocks went to 43.31%, till the last reports came in. While in the two blocks of Rafiabad it was 49.36, and in another block of Rafiabad it was 13.75 and the total polling percentage rose upto 20.75 %, whereas the total poll percentage in these two constituencies went upto 35.23 %.
By and large the polling for DDC and panchayat by-elections went on smoothly. There was no report of any untoward incidents in and around the polling stations across the north Kashmir district. People were seen very enthusiastic as according to them that they want to break the monopoly as no development has taken place in their districts from past couple of years.
"This is the first time when I cast my vote for DDC candidate, and let us give them a chance, and we hope that they will not play politics as our previous regimes did, but this time it is a vote for development and not for any political rivalry or for personal gains," said a voter from Rawoosa in Rafiabad constituency.
Another voter from Sangrama constituency said he has never missed casting his vote since he realizes the importance of a vote and this District Development Council (DDC) election was no different. "It is our constitutional right, it gives us a guarantee to choose our representative through an electoral system that could work for the general public, yes off course it was very cold outside, but that does not mean that we will not cast our vote," he said. |
