Suhail Khan
Sopore, April 11: Yet again Sopore town in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district completely boycotted elections on Thursday and recorded lowest turnout among all constituencies for Baramulla seat where the first phase of Lok Sabha polls were held.
Hurriyat Conference (G) chairman Syed Ali Geelani’s hometown among four other villages in north Kashmir’s Apple Town completely boycotted the Lok Sabha polls.
Not a single vote was cast till 6 pm in all the five villages including Dooru, Reshiabad, Yamberzal Payeen, Yadipora and Jageer a hometown of Afzal Guru.
As per an official statement, 4864 out of 111928 votes were cast in Sopore which is the lowest turnout among all constituencies for Baramulla seat where 9 candidates were in fray.
The candidates included Muhammad Akbar Lone of National Conference, Farooq Ahmad Mir of Congress, Raja Aijaz Ali of People’s Conference, Mohammad Maqbool War of BJP, Jahangir Khan of NPP, Abdul Qayoom Wani of PDP, Engineer Rasheed of Awami Itihaad Party and independent candidates Javid Ahmad Qureshi, Syed Najeeb Shah Naqvi.
An on duty official while sharing final details with GNS said, 3209 out of 111928 votes were cast by men while as 1622 females exercised their franchise, with overall total 4.35 percent.
People also stayed away from election process at a number of areas in lower belt of Rafiabad including Ferozpora, Drusu, Saidpora, Parraypora recorded zero percent votes.
In Hajjin area of Bandipora, only 61 votes were polled out of 8171. (GNS)
