Authorities identifying hyper-sensitive, sensitive booths in J

Srinagar, Oct 31 (UNI) The authorities are in the process of identifying hyper-sensitive and sensitive polling booths for the ensuing the general Assembly elections in the Kashmir valley, where voters of the majority Assembly segments alleged that they have yet to receive Photo Identity Cards (PIC).

In the changed situation, when the level of threat perception has come down considerably as compared to the 2002 polls, the authorities have decided to make a fresh survey for declaring any polling station hyper sensitive and sensitive, official sources told UNI.

They said it was because of this, authorities have yet to announce the category of polling station for the seven-phase elections from November 17.

The election authorities have decided to set up 8109 polling booths across the state for 65.35 lakh voters to choose their 87 representatives to the Legislative Assembly.

During the 2002 election, when the National Conference (NC) was unseated in the state, more than two dozen people, including minister Mushtaq Ahmad Lone, were killed in militant violence.

Srinagar and Badgam districts achieved a dubious distinction, when all the 987 polling stations were declared hyper-sensitive and sensitive in view of the threat to the poll process during 2002.

This time, though the level of violence has come down, sources admitted, the said recent ''pro-freedom'' processionists has forced authorities to reconsider the security arrangements of the polling booths.

Officials issuing poll material to media also said that they have not received any information about sensitive and hyper-sensitive polling booths.

Voters of the majority assembly segments in the Kashmir valley, including those from Srinagar district, alleged that they have yet to receive the PIC, though they have submitted their forms and photos about three months ago.

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