After 10 am on Monday a few voters showed up at the polling booths in Kapran village of south Kashmir’s Shopian district and cast their ballot.
As people largely stayed inside their homes, the voter turnout in the entire Kapran block remained low.
An official said that the poll percentage in the area where a women-only DDC seat was up for grabs stood at 1.96 percent.
“We steered clear of polling stations for some reason and that is all,” said a middle-aged man in Kapran.
In the past too, the low-lying areas of the district would witnessed a low poll percentage. During the last parliamentary polls, the district recorded an overall voter turnout of around 3 percent.
“People usually vote in the higher belt of the district. We have also seen low voter turnout in the last few phases of the ongoing election,” said a National Conference (NC) leader.
Ghulam Ahmad, a local said that the people throughout the day either remained busy with their daily chores or chose to stay indoors.
While in Bamnipora and Dangam areas, people largely stayed away from the polling booths, a good number of voters could be seen casting ballot in Kachdora village.
“I am voting for a woman candidate and being a woman, I have very high hopes from her,” said Arooja of Kachdoora village.
She said that their candidate would work for the overall development of the area.
An octogenarian voter of the village said that he voted so that people get some relief from the difficulties they face in their day-to-day lives.
“There are so many problems. Our streets are in a bad shape. The ration depots do not have adequate supplies. I hope our votes bring some change,” he said.
In the nearby Kulgam district where polling was held for two Block Development Council (BDC) seats, people voted for development. The elections for eight municipal councilor slots were also held.
In Chamgund village, the voters made a beeline for the polling booths since early morning.
Muhammad Ramzan, a voter said that they were voting for change.
“We hope our votes will change the fate of our area,” he said.
Voters in Bugham village, which usually didn’t witness much voting, began visiting polling stations from early in the morning.
Shabir Ahmad, a voter said that they were voting for the overall development of the area.