BARAMULLA : Low to moderate polling was recorded during the first four hours in Baramulla Parliamentary constituency in north Kashmir, where tension gripped some areas following boycott call by separatists, fresh attacks on security personnel and stone pelting incidents. Though some polling booths witnessed very few voters in the major towns, there was also a good voter turnout in far-flung and remote villages.
An official spokesman said the frontier district of Kupwara continued to lead with 20 per cent polling till 1100 hrs. However, Bandipora district, which recorded lowest 2.3 per cent voting during the first two hours, witnessed increase as the day progressed, recording 14.6 per cent polling till 1100 hrs. At Kaloosa in Bandipora a 100-year-old Ghulam Ahmed Baba was among first to cast his in polling station 38 ‘B’. Voted for a change in the system, Baba said he has never wasted
his vote since he became eligible for this democratic right. In Baramulla district 9.90 per cent voting was recorded during the first four hours.
Former Deputy Chief Minister and senior Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader Muzaffar Hussain Beig, seeking mandate from the
constituency, cast his vote at Chandoosa in Baramulla district. Unprecedented security arrangements have been made in the constituency, spread over frontier district of Kupwara, Baramulla and Bandipora, to generate confidence among the voters to exercise their democratic right in a peaceful atmosphere. Official sources said poll boycott in important towns of Anantnag and Srinagar constituencies will have definite impact in this constituency also, though only in major towns.
(AGENCIES)
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