Kashmir poll turnout lowest: NC, Congress question credibility of polls, Governor says Delhi satisfied

“I will comment only after counting. I want to see how much credibility remains after we know who the mayor is going to be,” he said.
Prior to this, the lowest turnout in Kashmir was recorded during the 1989 parliamentary election. At the time, militancy had just begun and enjoyed massive public support. State Congress president G A Mir said, “Before the elections, we had said two things need to be taken care of — taking the political parties on board and creating a favourable security situation in Valley. But that was not done.”
“It was the responsibility of the government to ensure maximum participation. When we were in power, we recorded 80 per cent turnout in panchayat polls and around 60 per cent in the 2014 assembly polls,” he added.

In the four-phase election that ended Tuesday, no polling was held in 420 out of 598 municipal wards across the 10 districts of the Valley. Of these 420 wards, no candidate contested in 184 wards, while candidates in 236 others were elected unopposed. In some municipal bodies, more than 50 per cent of seats are vacant.

“Barring three-four (municipal) committees, the other committees would function even if more than half the seats remain vacant,” Additional Secretary, Housing and Urban Development department, Narendar Khajuria said. “Bye-elections for vacant seats would be announced soon.”

Governor Malik said, “I’m extremely satisfied with how the election has been conducted. What is important is that people have stepped out to vote and there has been no violence, not a single person has been harmed, which was not the case in previous elections. Delhi is also satisfied. 10,000 people came out and voted in Srinagar, that’s a big number. I will request the mainstream parties again to participate in the panchayat elections.”

Results of the elections will be announced on October 20.