SRINAGAR JUNE 8


1.
GV Voters queuing. (2 SHOTS)
0.14

2.
SVs Women register and voting. (3 SHOTS)
0.38

3.
SVs Police guard strategic points as men queue to vote.
1.05




Initials GD/JRS





Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: The Conference Party moved closer to retaining its majority in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly as the results of re-polling came in. Fresh polls were ordered after allegations of ballot rigging had been made by Mrs Indira Gandhi's Congress (I) Party. The National Conference Party who rule the state, denied the allegations. The Conference Party show every sign of retaining their majority in the state. The voting breakdown shows the traditional pattern of support for Conference in the largely Moslem Kashmir Valley and Congress in the Hindu dominated Jammu district. The election is also the first test of leadership for Conference leader Farouq Abdullah since he inherited leadership of the party from his father 'The Lion of Kashmir' in September. With 56 seats declared (June 9) Conference is leading Congress 31 to 22 with 20 still to declare.