Jammu: Despite threat by militant outfits and boycott by separatists, polling began
on October 8 for the fourth and final phase of JK Assembly elections in six
constituencies of Doda district amidst high security deployment.
Voting also began in Lolab constituency of Kupwara district where polling originally
was scheduled in the first round on September 16 but was countermanded following the
assassination of Law Minister and National Conference candidate, Mushtaq Ahmed Lone
on September 11.
An estimated 4.84 lakh voters are expected to exercise their right of franchise to
choose their representatives from 56 candidates including Minister of State for Home
Khalid Najeeb Suhrawardy, state chiefs of BJP and BSP, Daya Kishan Kotwal and Sheikh
Abdul Rehman respectively, former minister and PCC chief Ghulam Nabi Azad's kin
Mohammad Sharief Niyaz and former advocate general Mohammad Aslam Goni.
Out of 534 polling stations, 291 have been declared sensitive and 243 hypersensitive.
About 18,000 additional para-military troops have been deployed in and around
polling stations to instill confidence among the voters and foil the militant plans
to disrupt the electoral process.
Rashtriya Rifle troops and Indo Tibetan Border Police have taken up their positions
to maintain the vigil against movement of ultras in mountainous areas and high
passes connecting to Kashmir Valley via Pir Panjal range.
About 1,200 government employees outside Doda district have been appointed to
conduct free and fair polls. Election Commission also airdropped poll staff and
material at 46 polling stations in far-flung areas of the district.
In Lolab constituency of Kupwara district, as many as 62,037 voters will decide the
fate of 11 contestants in the polling. 88 polling stations have been set up in the
constituency to facilitate the electorate to cast their votes.
Balloting for four polling stations in Pahalgam constituency of Anantnag district
and one polling station in Kathua district, where re-polling was ordered, also began
on October 8 simultaneously with the fourth phase of polls.
PTI
