J&K polls: Voters defy strike call in Srinagar, other areas

SRINAGAR: A separatists' call for a strike in Srinagar and other districts of Kashmir today failed to evoke response from voters who thronged the polling booths, especially in the summer capital which has had a history of low turn out.

24.55 per cent of over 14.73 lakh electorate in 16 assembly constituencies spread across three districts in the Valley and two constituencies of Samba district in Jammu region exercised their franchise till noon in the fourth phase of polling in Jammu and Kashmir.

However, public and private transport stayed off the roads.

The voting trend indicated a good turnout especially in the summer capital Srinagar which had recorded a poll percentage of 19.24, 11.17 and 21.93 in assembly polls in 1996, 2002 and 2008 respectively.