Srinagar, Nov 17: Braving freezing temperatures and ignoring separatists' boycott call, Voters came out in large numbers in some towns with an average 55 per cent turnout recorded in the first phase of the Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir held amid unprecedented security.

The turnout was moderate to heavy and voting passed off peacefully except for stray incidents of violence and protests amid threats of militants disrupting the polls which was held in a curfew-like situation in 10 constituencies spread over four districts of Bandipora, Poonch, Leh and Kargil. Polling in the border state has been staggered over seven phases lasting up to December 24.

Around 55 per cent polling was registered in the 10 constituencies, Chief electoral officer B R Sharma told reporters in Srinagar.

Sharma said Gurez constituency in the once terrorist-infested Bandipora district recorded the highest voting-- 74 per cent-- followed by Mendhar (65), Poonch (64), urankote (58), Kargil (57), Nobra (55), Leh (53), Zanskar (48) and Bandipora and Sonawari (42 each).

Srinagar, Bandipora and other towns were almost totally locked down, as thousands of troops were out in force to prevent anti-election rallies. An estimated six lakh voters were eligible to vote in the first phase.

At least seven persons including a woman were injured as police fired a few teargas shells and used batons to disperse people protesting against holding of assembly elections in Bandipora district, official sources said.

The separatist co-ordination committee had given a call for 'Jehan election waha challo' (march to where elections are). But the march to Bandipora, 65 km north of Srinagar town, was foiled by security forces.

Zanskar, Kargil and Sonawari segments recorded poll percentage far below that of 2002 assembly polls while Bandipora registered an increase of 10 per cent in the turnout this year.

He said there was a marginal decrease in poll percentage in certain high voter turn out constituencies due to inclement weather following the unseasonal snowfall.

Sharma said the figures issued by him were tentative and the polling percentage might go up or down by two to three per cent as information from certain polling station located in remote areas of the constituencies were not received yet.

He said in some polling stations in Sonawari constituency people were still in queue even at 6 PM. "In Saliskot polling station in Kargil, a scuffle broke out between National Conference and Congress agents leading to damage of the electronic voting machine," Sharma said.

Sharma said a report has been sought and action will be taken based on it.

Announcing the constituency-wise poll percentage, Sharma said polling was by and large peaceful barring some minor incidents.

The polling began at 8.00 am but people came out of their homes only an hour later due to intense cold wave gripping the region.

However, polling picked up as bright sun shoe and brisk polling was witnessed in all the 10 constituencies through out the day.

In Kargil and Leh constituencies, women voters were far more enthusiastic and had come in good numbers to exercise their franchise.

Giving details of the poll-related incidents which took place today, Sharma said five polling staff at Gursai polling station in Mendhar constituency were chargesheeted and suspended after being found guilty of violating the election commission guidelines.

The polling party of 89-Gursai polling station in Mendhar constituency, led by presiding officer Inderjeet Singh, violated the code of conduct by staying at the house of a kin of PDP candidate Rafiq Hussain Khan.

The polling party was replaced by the Election Commission before the polling began.

Bureau Report