Defying the boycott call given by separatists, a large number of people turned up for the first and second phase of Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir on November 17 and 22. Ten constituencies that went to the polls in the first phase on November 17 recorded a 55 per cent voter turnout. Contrary to expectations of a complete boycott, three constituencies in the Bandipore district witnessed moderate to brisk polling. Polling took place amid stringent security measures, chilly weather, a complete strike and the boycott call given by the Coordination Committee spearheading an anti-election campaign1.

Kashmiris yet again defied the separatist boycott call to vote in large numbers in the second phase of polls on November 22. About 65 per cent of the nearly five-lakh electorate voted to decide the fate of 81 candidates, including NC leader Omar Abdullah. Analysts noted that the absence of the militant threat has also contributed to the high voter turnout. For the first time in 20 years, militants have pledged non-violent elections. More than 800 people were killed in the terrorist violence in the run up to polls in 20022.

• 1. “55 p.c. turnout in J&K polls,” The Hindu, November 18, 2008, at http://www.hindu.com/2008/11/18/stories/2008111857590100.htm
• 2. “65% turnout in second round of J&K polls,” Times of India, November 23, 2008, at http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/JK_polls_Over_65_turnout_in_pha...