2017 Srinagar by-election

A by-election was held in the Lok Sabha constituency of Srinagar on 9 April 2017 with repolling in 38 polling on 13 April. It was triggered by the resignation of Tariq Hameed Karra after his defection from Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Democratic Party to the Indian National Congress.[1]

21 March was the final date for candidates to nominate. Voting took place between 7am and 5pm.[2]

Candidates

Other party candidates included Sajad Reshi of Rashtriya Samajwadi Party, Chetan Sharma of Akhil Bharatiya Hindu Mahasabha and Bikram Singh of Jammu and Kashmir Liberal Democratic Party. The independent candidates were Sajjad Hussain Beigh, Ghulam Hassan Dar, Farooq Ahmad Dar and Mehraj Khurshid Malik.[5]

Some leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party stated in mid-March that it will stand against its government coalition partner the PDP.[6] However only the PDP filed nominations.[5] Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party stated that it had decided to boycott the election, claiming the security cover to its senior leaders was withdrawn.[7] The Kashmiri separatists meanwhile called upon the voters to boycott the poll.[8]

Results

A voter turnout of 7.14%, the lowest in 30 years, was recorded amidst violent protests and attacks on polling stations by mobs during the elections on 9 April.[9] Repoll at 38 polling stations was ordered by the Election Commission of India.[10] A 2% voter turnout was recorded in areas where repolling was held on 13 April, bringing the turnout to 7.13%.[11] Farooq Abdullah was declared the winner on the next day with over 10,700 votes over his nearest rival Nazir Ahmad Khan.[1]

Declared results:[12]

Colour Party Candidate No. of votes Percentage of votes
JKNC Farooq Abdullah 48,555 54.02%
JKPDP Nazir Ahmad Khan 37,779 42.03%
NOTA — 931 1.04%
Independent Farooq Ahmad Dar 630 0.70%
Independent Mehraj Khurshid Malik 576 0.64%
All Jammu & Kashmir Liberal Democratic Party Bikram Singh 496 0.55%
Independent Mirza Sajjad Hussain Beigh 364 0.40%
ABHM Chetan Sharma 364 0.22%
Independent Ghullam Hassan Dar 197 0.22%
Rashtriya Samajwadi Party (Secular) Sajad Reshi 155 0.17%
No. of eligible voters No. of votes cast No. of Valid votes Percentage of votes valid Turnout
1,261,862 89,881 89,881 100% 7.13%

Violence and protests

Violence broke out during the elections on 9 April with over 200 violent incidents reported, concentrated mostly in Budgam district in addition to attacks on polling stations with poll staff abandoning about 70% of election stations. Protesters tried to enforce a boycott that had been called by the separatists. 8 people were killed in clashes between mobs and security forces.[13] Videos of Kashmiri youths beating up CRPF troops who did not retaliate, as well as videos of purported excesses by Indian troops created controversies.[14][15] The repolling on 13 April was relatively peaceful with only one incident of stone-throwing reported, however with a very low voter turnout.[11]

The by-poll for the Lok Sabha seat of Anantnag which was originally scheduled for 12 April was also postponed to 25 May due to the violence in the Srinagar by-poll.[16] The election to the Anantnag seat was later cancelled with the Election Commission citing security problems.[17]

See also

References
  1. Zaffar Iqbal, Sheikh. "Srinagar By-Election: Farooq Abdullah Beats PDP Candidate In Key Contest". NDTV.
  2. "By-election to Srinagar Lok Sabha constituency on April 9". 14 March 2017.
  3. "PDP and BJP to field separate candidates in Kashmir bypolls". Economic Times.
  4. "Farooq Abdullah and others file nomination for Srinagar bypolls". Zee News. PTI.
  5. "9 in fray for Srinagar seat". Daily Excelsior.
  6. Ashiq, Peerzada. "Mehbooba's brother to make debut, contest LS by-election".
  7. "NPP to boycott bypolls to Srinagar, Anantnag seats: Bhim Singh". Daily News and Analysis. PTI.
  8. Ehsan, Mir. "Kashmiri separatists call for bypoll boycott". The Indian Express.
  9. Jose, Bijin. "Srinagar Lok Sabha bypoll: Lowest turnout in 3 decades with 7.14 per cent voting, 8 killed in clashes". India Today.
  10. "EC Orders Repoll at 38 Polling Stations in Srinagar Constituency". News 18.
  11. "Srinagar bypoll: Only 2% voter turnout recorded after repolling in Kashmir". Hindustan Times. PTI.
  12. Zaki Iqbal, Aadil Ikram. "Jammu and Kashmir-Srinagar Bye-election Results 2017: Farooq Abdullah wins battle of prestige in Jammu and Kashmir". Essel Group.
  13. "8 killed in Kashmir bypoll violence, Srinagar registers poor voter turnout of 7.14%". Hindustan Times.
  14. "Youths beating jawans video: J&K DGP lauds CRPF men's restraint". The Hindu.
  15. "Two fresh videos of 'rights violations' by security forces go viral in Kashmir". Hindustan Times.
  16. "EC defers Anantnag Lok Sabha bypoll to May 25 after Srinagar violence". Hindustan Times.
  17. "Election Commission Cancels Anantnag Lok Sabha By-Poll In Jammu And Kashmir Over Law And Order". NDTV.
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