Handwara, Oct 01 (KNO): Unlike the festive atmosphere during the Lok Sabha elections, the home polling booth of incumbent Member Parliament for Baramulla, Er Rashid in Mawer, Handwara lacked major activity in Tuesday's final phase of assembly elections, with many locals occupied in their paddy fields.
According to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), there were no large queues at Er Rashid’s polling booth, where crowds had previously filled the lawns during the Lok Sabha elections. Only a handful of voters were present at the government school building in Saznipora, where three polling booths had been established.
Upon arrival, the KNO team observed the Awami Ittehad Party (AIP) president leaving the venue with just a dozen supporters and workers, unlike the bustling campaign atmosphere during LS polls.
Local voters said the low turnout is due to the busy harvest season. “There hasn’t been much activity at the polling station today. People are focused on their paddy fields,” said Ali Muhammad, a local.
He said while voters are coming and going, they are not lingering. Ali, however, added that the turnout will increase by evening.
The constituency is witnessing a direct contest between AIP candidate Khursheed Ahmad Sheikh, Er Rashid’s brother who is running as an independent, and Peoples Conference (PC) candidate Irfan Panditpuri. With a total of 1.20 lakh eligible voters, 15 candidates are competing for their support—(KNO)