Dismal voter turnout continues in Kashmir with 2.81% in Anantnag; 63% in Ladakh

SHOPIAN: The voter turnout in the Kashmir Valley continued to dip, with only 2.81% voting in Shopian and Pulwama districts of Anantnag parliamentary constituency, one of the lowest in Jammu and Kashmir’s electoral history. The turnout in Ladakh was over 63%, according to initial estimates. The voter turnout in the Valley has seen a constant dip since the first phase though Jammu and Ladakh divisions have seen enthusiastic polling.

In earlier phases, Baramulla, in northern Kashmir, witnessed around 35% and Srinagar in central Kashmir recorded around 14%. The first leg in Anantnag, in southern Kashmir, registered 13.63%, followed by Kulgam district in the second leg at 10.3%.

A meagre voter turnout was expected in Shopian and Pulwama as the districts are the centre of militancy in the state. The recent encounter in Shopian where three militants were killed and arrest of youths may have led to a lower turnout.

Clashes were reported from different areas even on Monday. Grenades were lobbed at three polling stations. The upper reaches of Shopian, Wachi and Khrew, however, saw a moderate voter turnout. “We have come out to vote for safeguarding the special status of the state. We want a representative who can defend our past to give us a better future,” Abdul Hamid Manhas, a resident of Manloo village in Shopian of southern Kashmir, told ET.

There were 1,254 polling stations prepared for the fifth phase. Ladakh’s assembly segments of Kargil, Zanskar, Nubra and Leh have an electoral strength of 1,74,618 voters and 559 polling stations. The twin districts of Pulwama and Shopian have assembly segments of Tral, Pampore, Pulwama, Rajpora, Wachi and Shopian, 5,22,530 electors and 695 polling stations.