2017 Srinagar by-election
A by-election was held in the Lok Sabha constituency of
21 March was the final date for candidates to nominate. Voting took place between 7am and 5pm.[2]
Candidates
- Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Democratic Party (PDP): The party selected Nazir Ahmad Khan, a former Congress leader, to defend the seat.[3]
- Jammu & Kashmir National Conference - Farooq Abdullah stood as the candidate for the party.[4]
Other party candidates included Sajad Reshi of Rashtriya Samajwadi Party, Chetan Sharma of
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Party stated that it had decided to boycott the election, claiming the security cover to its senior leaders was withdrawn.[7] The Kashmiri separatists meanwhile called upon the voters to boycott the poll.[8]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
See also
References
- ^ a b Zaffar Iqbal, Sheikh. "Srinagar By-Election: Farooq Abdullah Beats PDP Candidate In Key Contest". NDTV.
- ^ "By-election to Srinagar Lok Sabha constituency on April 9". 14 March 2017.
- ^ "PDP and BJP to field separate candidates in Kashmir bypolls". Economic Times.
- ^ "Farooq Abdullah and others file nomination for Srinagar bypolls". Zee News. PTI.
- ^ a b "9 in fray for Srinagar seat". Daily Excelsior.
- ^ Ashiq, Peerzada. "Mehbooba's brother to make debut, contest LS by-election".
- ^ "NPP to boycott bypolls to Srinagar, Anantnag seats: Bhim Singh". Daily News and Analysis. PTI.
- ^ Ehsan, Mir. "Kashmiri separatists call for bypoll boycott". The Indian Express.
- ^ Jose, Bijin. "Srinagar Lok Sabha bypoll: Lowest turnout in 3 decades with 7.14 per cent voting, 8 killed in clashes". India Today.
- ^ "EC Orders Repoll at 38 Polling Stations in Srinagar Constituency". News 18.
- ^ a b "Srinagar bypoll: Only 2% voter turnout recorded after repolling in Kashmir". Hindustan Times. PTI.
- ^ Zaki Iqbal, Aadil Ikram. "Jammu and Kashmir-Srinagar Bye-election Results 2017: Farooq Abdullah wins battle of prestige in Jammu and Kashmir". Essel Group.
- ^ "8 killed in Kashmir bypoll violence, Srinagar registers poor voter turnout of 7.14%". Hindustan Times.
- ^ "Youths beating jawans video: J&K DGP lauds CRPF men's restraint". The Hindu.
- ^ "Two fresh videos of 'rights violations' by security forces go viral in Kashmir". Hindustan Times.
- ^ "EC defers Anantnag Lok Sabha bypoll to May 25 after Srinagar violence". Hindustan Times.
- ^ "Election Commission Cancels Anantnag Lok Sabha By-Poll In Jammu And Kashmir Over Law And Order". NDTV.