Heavy security ahead of state elections

Описание: (23 Sep 2002)

++ TOKO QUALITY ++
1. Tilt up from gun to soldiers on streets ahead of second round of voting
2. Various of security on streets of Srinagar
3. Various of polling station, officials
4. Closeup of bullet proof vest worn by security personnel, polling officials
5. Various of polling station
6. Midshot of security forces

STORYLINE:

Tens of thousands of Indian soldiers and elections officials were constructing sandbag bunkers at polling booths and being fitted for flak jackets Monday, on the eve of state elections in two key cities of the disputed Himalayan province of Kashmir.

Voters in the two cities go to the polls Tuesday.

The separatists have called for a boycott of the elections, claiming they are rigged in favor of the pro-India ruling party, the National Conference.

They have threatened to kill candidates and voters who take part in the balloting.

More than 100 political activists and candidates, including a state minister, have been killed in election-related violence since campaigning began earlier this year.

Despite the threats, election officials were making last-minute checks of registration lists and coordinating security with soldiers bused in to protect voters.

Voter turnout was unexpectedly high last Monday, for the first round of elections.

The federal elections commission said 47-point-2 percent of registered voters in those areas cast their ballots.

The All Parties Hurriyat Conference, an umbrella group of 24 political groups favoring Kashmiri independence, has called for a statewide strike on Tuesday, the second phase of voting. Two more phases are scheduled October 1 and 8.

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