INDIA: KASHMIRI VOTERS TURN OUT IN STRENGTH TO CAST THEIR VOTES ON FINAL DAY OF GENERAL ELECTION POLLING.

Record ID: 328815

  • Title: INDIA: KASHMIRI VOTERS TURN OUT IN STRENGTH TO CAST THEIR VOTES ON FINAL DAY OF GENERAL ELECTION POLLING.
  • Date: 20th March 1977
  • Summary: 1. GV PAN Waterside dwellings in Kashmir, India, and SV people crossing river in boat(2 shots) 0.16 2. SVs AND CUs Voters queuing at polling station (4 shots) 0.30 3. SV PAN DOWN 107-years-old lady arriving at polling station. 0.35 4. SVs INTERIOR Voters having fingers marked with indelible ink (2 shots) 0.51 5. SVs Voters being checked off against electoral roll and receiving ballot papers (2 shots) 1.40 6. SV 107-years-old lady casting vote 1.15 7. SV Another women voting 1.22 Initials OS Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved
  • Embargoed: 4th April 1977 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: SRINAGAR, KASHMIR, INDIA
  • Country: India
  • Reuters ID: LVACBDE7M0TQRJQ8HA7G52V6ICIU
  • Story Text: INTRODUCTION: Indian Prime Minster, Indira Gandhi suffered a stunning defeat in her home constituency on Sunday (20 March) as the opposition Janata party appeared to be heading to victory in the general election. Mrs. Gandhi lost her seat of Rae Bareli shortly after her son, Sanjay, was heavily defeated in the neighbouring constituency of Amethi. The results came a day after the final polling took place in the northern territory of kashmir.

    SYNOPSIS: Sovereignty for the strategic Himalayan Kashmir region is contested by India and Pakistan. The two countries have fought two wars over Kashmir which is now divided by & ceasefire line, with Pakistan holding one their in the north-west and Indian the rest.

    The main city in the Indian region is Srinagar where polling was reported to be particularly heavy. Both the opposition Janata and ruling Congress Parties launched major campaigns in Kashmir to win votes. Their campaigning succeeded in getting their 107 years old woman to the polls.

    People had their fingers marked to avoid any double voting. But the strict regulations have failed to stop all electoral malpractices and recounts have been ordered in a number of constituencies throughout India. One polling official said he had received reports that some people had been intimated. A complete repelling has been ordered in nearly 30 constituencies.

    The Congress Party held 355 seats - a two-thirds majority -- in the last parliament. But there has been a strong feeling of discontent against the ruling party over its decision to impose the national state of emergency. Many observers believe that decision will cost Mrs. Gandhi the election.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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