J&K And Jharkhand Assembly Polls Phase 3: Democracy Triumphs Again
December 10, 2014
The successful completion of the third phase of polling in Jammu and Kashmir and Jharkhand with considerably large turnout of voters has twofold dimensions –
a) It is a tribute to the security forces’ capabilities of accomplishing such a task in the face of the lurking terror threats from across the border as well as from the dreaded Maoists
b) It shows the resolve of the people in both the terror-hit states to affirm their faith in the democratic process
It may be mentioned that the people in both the states have thus far braved the threat posed by the Pakistan-backed militant outfits in J&K and Maoists in Jharkhand. Like in the first two phases, the polling percentage was more than the last state elections figures in the third phase as well.
Jharkhand: Voters Defy Maoist Threat in Third Phase too
Jharkhand witnessed 60.89 per cent turnout in the 17 of the 81 constituencies spread over eight districts in the third phase after 61.92 per cent and 65.46 per cent turnout respectively in the first and second phase.
In all, 289 candidates were in the fray in the third phase in state, including former chief minister Babulal Marandi, a Jharkhand Vikas Morcha-Prajatantrik candidate from Dhanwar, former state Assembly Speaker CP Singh from Ranchi, Finance Minister Rajendra Prasad Singh (Congress) from Bermo, Water Resources Minister Annapurna Devi (Rashtriya Janata Dal) from Kodarma and Sanitation Minister Jaiprakash Bhai Patel (Jharkhand Mukti Morcha) from Mandu. Besides, the electoral fortunes of eight legislators too were sealed in the ballot box in the third phase of voting in Jharkhand.
The large turnout proved that the voters were undeterred by the gun-battle between the security forces and the Naxals ahead of polling in the Kenduadih jungle in Giridih district of Jharkhand.
However, the challenge from the Maoists is high in the naxal-infested state where 22 of the 24 Jharkhand districts are in the grip of their grip. Even as the state went for the third phase of polling on Tuesday, the news that 15 prisoners, Maoists included, escaped from the Chaibasa jail by dodging the jail authorities, is equally discomforting for the security forces. Two Maoists were killed in the firing by the jail authorities.
Jammu and Kashmir: Terror Attacks Failed to Overshadow Voter Turnout in the Third Phase
The situation, particularly in the J&K, was far tenser in the winter chill, at the backdrop of a string of terror attacks barely a few days before the third phase of polling in the Valley. Yet, the 58 per cent voters’ turnout in the 16 constituencies in Budgam, Pulwama and Baramulla districts of north, south and central Kashmir, has been a considerable improvement from the 48.69 per cent turnout in the same segments in 2008. Long queues were witnessed at many of the 1,781 polling stations to seal the fate of 144 candidates including Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, contesting from Beerwah in Budgam district, and three of his cabinet colleagues – Finance Minister Abdul Rahim Rather (Charar-i-Sharif), Agriculture Minister Ghulam Hassan Mir (Gulmarg), and Health Minister Taj Mohi-ud-din (Uri).
CM Omar is locked in a multi-cornered contest against the sitting legislator of Jammu and Kashmir People’s Democratic Party Dr Mohammad Shafi and the Congress’ Nazir Ahmad Khan at the Beerwah constituency in Budgam district. He is also in the fray from Sonawar in Srinagar that goes to poll on December 14.
Beerwah registered 74.14 per cent polling this time as against 57.17 per cent in 2008 – an increase of nearly 17 per cent! Yet, the highest 82.74 per cent turnout of voters was registered at Charar-i-Sharif which had witnessed 74.58 per cent voting in 2008.
Good Job by the Election Commission and the Security Forces in J&K
To ensure that the polling was largely peaceful barring a few stray incidents, has been a commendable feat accomplished not just by the Election Commission but the security forces as well. This performance would surely give the latter an image makeover from that of the favourite whipping boys in the Valley. Ostensibly, the recent indictment of nine army men in the killing of two youths in Budgam has helped in restoring the faith of the people in the System a big way.
It is significant that even the Sopore constituency in Baramulla district, which is the home of hardline Hurriyat Conference Chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani who had spearheaded the boycott campaign, saw a marked improvement in voting percentage despite a recent terror attack there. With 30 per cent polling at Sopore, even though it was the lowest recorded in the third phase, the turnout was much higher given the fact that only 19.95 per cent voters had turned out to vote in the constituency in 2008. This re-emphasises the failing clout of Geelani even in his own backyard, and the growing marginalisation of the Hurriyat Conference by the Kashmiris.
The pre-poll terror strikes though succeeded in keeping the voters indoors in another traditional stronghold of the separatists – Tral (where the terrorists had struck with grenades) with 37.68 per cent turnout.
Uri Gave a Befitting Reply to Terrorists
However, 79 per cent voters turned out at the polling booths in Baramulla district’s Uri segment which had witnessed the deadly attack by Pakistani infiltrators on an Army camp in which eight soldiers and three policemen besides six militants were killed. The percentage turnout this time was only marginally less than the 81.73 per cent in 2008, in spite of the terror threat lurking in the region.
So, only in certain separatist pockets such as Sopore, Rajpora and Tral the polling was low, that too largely because of the terror attacks. It amply proves the resolve of the Kashmiris for a change after years of turmoil. They have, so far, turned out in high numbers in all the three phases like in another strife-torn state, Jharkhand.
The success of the elections means more challenges for the security forces and the Election Commission in the remaining two phases, for the terror outfits would desperately try to derail the poll process in the coming days. But the authorities are now armed with the people’s power to thwart any such evil design of the enemies of peace!
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