The residents of Jammu and Kashmir staged a protest here on Sunday for not being allowed to cast their vote after they failed to show their voter identification cards that they lost in the recent floods.
The penultimate round of five-phase state polls started in 18 constituencies, including main cities of Srinagar and Jammu, and residents braved the cold to come out and vote for change and development.
Shanu, a resident of Srinagar, said though she showed the voter's slip but was not allowed to vote.
"I am here to vote for the first time. I don't have an election card but they are saying I will be allowed to vote only after I bring the election card. Everything was lost during the floods and we don't have anything at home, that is why we are here to vote but they are not letting us vote," said Shanu in Bemina area.
Masood Ahmad Khan, a planning officer, said they are following the instructions given to them by the Election Commission.
"We are following the instructions given by the election commission; asking for election card, passport or ration card for identification but some people do not like the way we are working," said Khan.
The people were angry for not being allowed to vote despite having their photo voter slips issued by the election office as an identity proof for voting.
They were also asked to leave the polling booths by the security personnel.
The polling, which began at 8 a.m. on a dull note due to chilly weather conditions and fog in the morning, has started picking up in 16 assembly segments spread over three districts of Srinagar, Anantnag and Shopian in the fourth phase of five-phased elections.
In this phase, the polling is being held in 18 assembly segments.
The concerned authorities have made unprecedented security arrangements for free, fair and peaceful polling in these constituencies.
