DESPITE GEELANI BOYCOTT CALL 90% PANCHAYAT MEMBERS CAST VOTE FOR LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SEATS

Srinagar Dec 03 (Only Kashmir): Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), Mr. Umang Narulla today said that 90% polling was reported in today’s voting for the four seats of Legislative Council.

Addressing a press conference here this evening, Mr. Narulla said the entire polling process remained incident free in all the 149 booths. He said polling material in respect of some snow bound areas like Kishtwar, Gurez, Machail, Zanaskar etc was airlifted. He said counting for the two seats of Kashmir would be held at SKICC, Srinagar while as for the two seats of Jammu would be held at Polytechnic College, Jammu and at respective district headquarters of Leh and Kargil.

The CEO said the Election Commission has appointed two observers and some micro-observers to monitor the election process. He said 5-8 complaints of violation of model code of conduct were received by the Commission which is being examined.

According to Div Com Kashmir Dr Asgar Hassan Samoon the district wise breakup of total votes polled is as follows: 

Srinagar: 100%, Budgam: 91.56%, Pulwama: 86.75%, 4. Anantnag: 95.87%, Baramulla 88.28%, Kupwara: 90.25%, Kulgam: 92.84%, Shopian: 92.68%, Bandipora 97.80%, Ganderbal 97.80%, Leh: 93.28%, Kargil: 65.37%

Recently Hurriyat (G) Chairman Syed Ali Geelani appealed Panches and Sarpanches to boycott the legislative council elections. In a statement issued here, Geelani said that those who damage the Kashmir cause are “committing sin and hurting the sacrifices offered by martyrs”. “India is using these elections as a tool to justify its occupation in Kashmir and those who cast votes, damage the Kashmir Cause”, reads the statement. 

Geelani said,“Panches and Sarpanches are a part of our society and they themselves have presented various sacrifices directly or indirectly. Coffins of martyrs have also come out of their houses, so they should not be the part of election process”. (OK)