2% voter turnout in Srinagar!

This has always been the case in Kashmir, but now the contrasting figures are becoming sharper and revealing the whole story.

When statistics speaks

Repolling in the Srinagar Lok Sabha constituency’s 38 booths on Thursday registered only around 2% voter turnout, amid very tight security arrangements.

There were 15,000 security men on the ground and only 700 Kashmiris voted. No voting took place at 27 booths out of 38, said an official.

Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Shantmanu told the media, “Only 709 votes were cast in the day. Though polling was low, but I am happy that no major incident of clashes took place.”

Is this futile exercise of elections really necessary? It must be recalled that the election held for Srinagar resulted in 7.14% voter turnout( lowest in 27 years) and Sunday violence in which 8 civilians died in firing by security, and over 170 were injured.