Amid a separatist boycott call and winter chill, about 34 per cent of the 16.91 lakh-strong electorate on Wednesday exercised their franchise in 21 constituencies till late afternoon in the seventh and final phase of Jammu and Kashmir assembly polls.
Stray clashes between police and protestors injured at least 14 people, including a photojournalist, in Srinagar. Anti-election demonstrators took to the streets in various parts of the city but were stopped by police and paramilitary men who were deployed in strength.
Polling in eight constituencies of Srinagar city, considered a separatist stronghold, was 13 per cent till 3 pm as compared to the five per cent turnout in 2002 elections.
The polling percentage in 13 constituencies of Jammu (11) and Samba (2) was as high as 48 per cent, officials said.
The fate of 393 candidates, including ex-Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah, former Speaker Tara Chand and six former ministers will be decided in this phase of the elections.
There was no report of major poll disruption from anywhere in Srinagar but incidents of malfunctioning of electronic voting machines came in from Jammu region.
In Tankipora area of Srinagar, stone-pelting protestors, trying to take out a march in violation of prohibitory orders, clashed with police. The police and paramilitary personnel used batons and fired tear gas shells to disperse the crowds.
Among the nine injured in the clashes, the condition of Abid Bhat, photojournalist of Political and Business Daily, was stated to be serious, official sources said.
They said security forces also resorted to teargas shelling at Natipora locality where a group of youths tried to take out a march. Five persons, including two policemen, were injured in the clashes, the sources said
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