44% polling in Lolab

LOLAB: Barring stray incidents of violence and booth capturing, polling in the Lolab constituency of Kupwara district in the fourth phase of the J&K elections was, by and large, peaceful on Tuesday, with about 44 per cent turnout.
Polling was slow to start with in the morning — just 1 per cent turnout was recorded till 10.30 am — but it picked up in the afternoon.There are 72,215 registered voters in this segment.
There were allegations of booth capturing by National Conference (NC) workers at four polling stations at Sogam village.
Similar reports poured in from Mohri Kalaroos and Lassipura. NC workers allegedly beat up a polling agent of Independent candidate Abdul Haq Khan, at Botapura Hayhama polling station. Though 11 candidates are in fray, there is direct contest between NC’s Qasir Lone and the Independent, Abdul Haq Khan.
The Congress withdrew its candidate, Gulam Mohi-ud-din Dar, only last week in favour of Khan, a former People’s Conference leader.
Khan alleged that even minors were seen casting votes on the behalf of their parents after the presiding officer allowed non-voters to vote in favour of the NC.
He also accused the ruling party of using surrendered militants to intimidate voters at the Botapura Hayham.