Village of hearing, speech impaired electors cast votes

Electors of Dadhkai village in Doda, also known as the hamlet of hearing and speech impaired, today exercised their franchise in the first phase of Assembly polls in Jammu and Kashmir.
A total of 23 hearing and speech impaired voters, out of total 26 registered voters, cast their votes at Dadhkai special polling stations of Doda district today, an Election officials said.
Two special polling stations were set up for these 'unique' voters of this village so that they could also take part in the democratic exercise and choose their representatives.
Around 70 per cent polling was recorded in the first phase of elections in 15 Assembly segments of Jammu and Kashmir, which also included Doda district.

In Bhaderwah Assembly segment of Doda district, the highest number of 87 per cent polling was recorded at Changa polling booth where 648 out of the total of 749 cast their votes.
The lower voting turn out was witness in two Sartangal polling stations in Bhaderwah Assembly segment due to aftermath of clashes in which two people were killed and over 26 were arrested six months ago.

While 26 registered voters are in jail and over 100 such have gone underground due to warrants issued against them for their arrest for their involvement in the clashes.
This has shown decrease in the turn out of the voters.

Shehnaz, who lost two family members in the clashes in a mosque six months ago and faced arrest of his eight other family members, said what is the fun of taking part in the elections when our family is passing through most difficult period.