| Bandipora braves threats, records 35% turnout in Panchayat polls | | | Early Times Report
BARAMULLA, Dec 1: Bandipora recorded 35.3% turnout in the sixth phase of the Panchayat elections in north Kashmir on Saturday, braving militant threats and the winter chill.
People came out in huge numbers to cast their votes in Arin in Bandipora, and Sopore, Khaipora and Chandilwanigam in Baramulla district.
"Previously we were unaware of importance of votes, now we want to exercise it for our welfare, for the betterment of our mohallas and villages," said Zareefa Akhter from Chandilwanigam.
She said that the orthodox kind of thought is no more suitable in the society, as people want something different. She said earlier the officials at the helm were mired in corruption, but now the Governor has changed this culture with the support of his advisory team.
There were tight security arrangements in the three districts of north Kashmir. Sopore town was however closed for third day, after a local militant was killed few days back in Budgam district.
Officials said that the polling started at 8 am in 3,174 polling stations, including 410 in Kashmir division and 2764 in Jammu division.
The officials said that among 3,174 polling stations in sixth phase, 771 polling stations were categorized as hypersensitive, with 410 polling stations in Kashmir division as hypersensitive and rest 361 in Jammu division. 111 Sarpanchs and 1048 Panchs have been elected unopposed.
The sixth phase of Ppolls concluded peacefully across Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday with an estimated 76.9 percent electorate- highest so far- exercising their franchise amid tight security arrangements, state's chief electoral officer Shaleen Kabra said.
A massive 84.6 percent polling was witnessed in Jammu division, while only 17.3 percent polling-- which incidentally was the lowest compared to the previous five phases-- was recorded in Kashmir division, Kabra said.
Giving district-wise details, Kabra said, Ganderbal district in central Kashmir recorded the highest voting (41.5 percent) followed by Bandipora (35.3 percent), Srinagar (12.5 percent), Baramulla (12.1 percent), Budgam (9 percent), Anantnag (7.3 percent) and Kulgam (4.6 percent). |
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