Saturday, January 29 2005 17:24 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Srinagar: Dealing a blow to the separatist groups and defying militant threats, over 60 per cent of the electorate in Baramulla and Kupwara districts of Jammu and Kashmir today (Jan 29, 2005) cast their votes in the municipal elections held in the State after 27 years.

The first round of the six-phase elections held under tight security passed off peacefully.

The municipal committees in Kupwara district witnessed a massive turnout of 86 per cent while those in Baramulla registered a turnout of 56.5 per cent, officials said in Srinagar.

This is highest turnout in any election in Kashmir valley since 1990 where civil polls are being held after a gap of 27 years.

Handwara municipal committee witnessed the highest voting average of 88 per cent, they said.

Candidates for Kunzer municipal committee were declared elected unopposed as there were only five nominations for as many seats raising number of those elected unopposed to 21.

Although voting began at a very slow pace this morning due to the biting cold, it picked up as temperatures rose.

Militant outfits like al-Mansoorian and Hizbul Mujahideen and nearly all separatist organisations, including Hurriyat Conference and JKLF (Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front), had asked people to stay away from the polls.