Voting picks up in Kashmir, long queues outside polling booths

Defying the boycott call by separatists and the chilly weather, people turned up in numbers to exercise their franchise in the fourth phase of elections in Jammu and Kashmir where over 24% voters cast their vote till noon.

Voting across the four districts was by and large peaceful with no major untoward incident reported from anywhere so far. "An estimated 24.58% of over 14.73 electorate cast their ballot in the 18 constituencies spread over three districts of Kashmir including Srinagar and Samba district in Jammu region till noon" an official spokesman said.

He said Samba constituency recorded the highest turnout of 37.85% in the first four hours, while Habbakadal constituency in Srinagar witnessed the lowest 10.58% during the corresponding period. Despite severe cold, long queues of voters were seen outside the polling stations to exercise their franchise at many polling stations.

The trends in voter turnout in eight constituencies of Srinagar city, which have witnessed low voter turnout in the past elections due to separatist boycott calls, pointed towards a higher poll percentage this time. 

Sonawar constituency, where Chief Minister Omar Abdullah is contesting, witnessed the highest 23.51 turnout in Srinagar followed by Khanyar and Hazratbal constituencies at over 16%.