Kashmir’s Anantnag records low voter turnout

The Anantnag constituency in the disputed region of Kashmir has recorded a dismally low voter turnout for India’s general election.

The district, which saw a militant attack in February that killed more than 40 Indian troops, has recorded a turnout at 8.7% in the fifth phase of India's mammoth election.

In 2014, 29% of the registered voters had showed up to cast their ballot in Anantnag, which includes Pulwama town where the attack took place.

Anantnag is the only constituency in the country where polling was held in three phases due to security concerns.

Several separatist leaders had called for a boycott of the polls, while political parties and the Election Commission had appealed to people to vote in large numbers.