Ignoring boycott calls from separatists and militant groups, nearly 34 per cent electorate today exercised their franchise in the bypoll in Anantnag assembly constituency where Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti and seven other candidates are in the fray.

The voter turnout was five per cent less than the last assembly elections. The polling, which began early this morning on a dull note apparently due to the ongoing holy fasting month of Ramadan, picked up pace as the day progressed with the final poll percentage standing at 34 per cent.

The bypoll in the constituency was necessitated by the demise of former Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed on January 7 this year. The polling ended peacefully, Chief Electoral Officer Shantmau said.

Out of total 84,067 electors, including 4,229 migrants voters, a total of 28,446 cast their votes during the polling period which started at 7 am and concluded at 6 pm, he said.

He said out of 42,840 male voters and 41,227 female voters, 15,384 male, 13,062 female and 638 migrant voters exercised their franchise.

Shantmanu said 13 polling booths were also set up at Jammu for migrant voters, one each at Udhampur and Delhi, adding that three additional Observers were also deployed for these three locations.