Voting yet to pick up in Anantnag

 Voting today began on a dull note in Anantnag Parliamentary constituency of south Kashmir, which had recently witnessed attacks on political workers.

An official spokesman said Anantnag recorded 6.36 per cent of polling, Kulgam 6.20 per cent, Pulwama 0.22 per cent and Shopian 2.62 per cent till 9 AM.

The effect of the poll boycott call by the separatists and the recent killings of political workers by militants was visible in Shopian and Pulwama districts which recorded a low turn-out.

Although 12 candidates are in the fray for this Lok Sabha seat spread over 16 Assembly segments in the four districts, the contest is expected to be a direct fight between ruling National Conference candidate Mehboob Beg and opposition PDP president Mehbooba Mufti.

Of the 16 Assembly segments, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) MLAs represent 12, the Congress two and the National Conference (NC) and the CPI-M one each.