Ballot triumphed over the bullet on Tuesday when people defied separatists and militants and came in large numbers to exercise their franchise in the first phase of polling in 15 constituencies spread over seven districts of Jammu and Kashmir.
Nearly 70% voters cast votes on Tuesday with Sonawari constituency recording the highest turnout of 80%. The huge turnout broke the 2008 record when Sonawari constituency polled 59.64% of votes.
It was followed by Doda constituency which recorded 79% polling compared to 72.97% in 2008. Border constituency of Gurez recorded 77% compared to 73.59% in 2008 assembly polls.
Kangan recorded 76% turnout compared to 59.46% in 2008 while Inderwal constituency recorded 72.54% compared to 72.75%in 2008. Sensitive Bandipora constituency recorded 70% polling compared to 57.24 in 2008.
Ganderbal constituency recorded 53% polling compared to 51.79% in 2008. Communally sensitive Kishtwar recorded 68.83% turnout compared to 74.44 in 2008. Baderwah, Ramban and Banhial recorded 70, 68 and 70% respectively. In 2008 the three constituencies recorded 65.55. 65.54 and 67.05% respectively.
Four constituencies of cold desert of Ladakh divison – Nobra, Kargil, Zanaskar and Leh – recorded 74.6, 60, 71 and 66% respectively despite bone chilling cold. In 2008 the four constituencies recorded 74.24, 74, 72.31 and 64.24% turnout respectively. "It is a vote for change. We cannot waste our right," said Abdul Majeed, a voter in Ganderbal.
The turnout was exceptional despite the fact that militants outfits including dreaded Lashkar-e-Toiba, Jaish-e-Mohammad and Al Umar Mujhadeen had asked the voters to stay out. Posters of different outfits had surfaced at number of places warning people not to vote.
Separatists had vigorously called for poll boycott asking people not to "trade martyrs blood for votes". People however ignored the calls and came in large numbers to vote. Long queues of people were seen outside polling booths waiting for their turn to exercise their franchise. "Why should not we vote?"asked Junaid Ahmad to a pointed question why he is voting at Kangan.
Unfazed by the rebuff by people, Hurriyat hawk Syed Ali Shah Geelani said despite turning Ganderbal and Bandipora into an army garrison, the people and youth protested and expressed their resentment.
