Peaceful, Incident-Free Voting Across 24 Constituencies, 58.85% Participation Marks Vibrant Democracy
Suhail Khan
Srinagar, Sep 18 : The wait is finally over as seven districts of Jammu and Kashmir held the first phase of their assembly elections on Wednesday, after a gap of over 3 years, amid a festive political environment. Peaceful and enthusiastic voting marked the beginning of the assembly elections in Jammu & Kashmir, building on the successful foundation of the 2019 Lok Sabha Elections.
The political scenario in Kashmir is once again displaying its true colors. For the past one month, discussions regarding the elections have been at a fervent pitch. This time, several news candidates have emerged, eager to prove their mettle and appreciate the changing landscape.
From the borders to the plains, from villages to towns to cities, everywhere on every street and corner, discussions about politics are taking place. Rallies, campaigning, and meetings are what is being witnessed across the region.
This election also marks the beginning of three-phase assembly polls – the first such exercise in the erstwhile state since the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019. The 24 constituencies voting on Wedneaday are spread across Pir Panjal – 16 in Kashmir and eight in Jammu region.
According to Election Commission of India The 24 assembly seats voting in phase 1 of assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir have recorded 58.85% voter turnout. He said the highest voting was recorded in Kistawar at 77.23 per cent followed by Doda West seat, with with 69.33 voter turnout, according to the poll panel.
According to Kashmir Despatch Correspendent, Voters from all sections of society responded to the ‘call of democracy’ wholeheartedly, reaffirming the confidence expressed by Chief Election Commissioner Shri Rajiv Kumar during the announcement of assembly elections that the people of J&K will give a befitting reply to the nefarious forces attempting to disrupt the electoral process.
Long queues of voters at the polling stations showcased to the entire world the deep trust and confidence of the people of J&K in the democratic exercise. Polling in the first phase recorded an approximate voter turnout of 58.85%.
As per official press release, Polling was held across 3276 Polling Stations established in 24 Assembly Constituencies spanning 7 districts, including Pulwama, Shopian, Kulgam, Kishtwar, Anantnag, Ramban, and Doda.
In each of the 7 Districts where voting was held on Wednesday, the voting participation exceeded the participation during the Lok Sabha 2024 elections. This performance builds on the trend witnessed during the Lok Sabha elections in Jammu and Kashmir, which saw a voter turnout of 58.58% at polling stations, the highest in the last 35 years.
A total of 219 candidates are in the electoral fray in the first phase, of which 9 are women candidates. Young and women voters shone bright at the polling stations, a testament to the deepening and embrace of democracy in J&K. Their enthusiasm to cast their vote is an emphatic response in favor of the ballot against boycotts and violence .
The Commission led by CEC Shri Rajiv Kumar, along with Election Commissioners Shri Gyanesh Kumar and Dr. Sukhbir Singh Sandhu, kept a close watch on each and every aspect of the poll process from the very beginning. Meticulous preparations, clear directions, and strong security measures were in place, creating a conducive environment for voters to cast their vote without fear or intimidation. Along with webcasting in all polling stations, 32 Central Observers kept a vigilant eye on the election process on the ground, ensuring no disruptions to the electoral process.
Kashmiri Migrant voters were also empowered to exercise their franchise through 24 Special Polling Stations set up in Jammu (19), Udhampur(1), and Delhi (4). Earlier, the Commission had eased the process for Kashmiri migrant voters by abolishing the cumbersome Form-M and enabling self-certification.
The Home-voting facility, introduced for the first time in Assembly elections in J&K, saw democracy being taken to the doorsteps of those who are bound by physical limitations. Many voters aged above 85 years and Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) with a 40% benchmark disability opted to vote from the comfort of their homes, while those who visited polling stations were greeted with warmth and assured of minimum facilities.
As part of the Election Commission of India’s commitment to make the voting experience pleasant and memorable, Assured Minimum Facilities (AMFs) like drinking water, electricity, toilet, ramp, furniture, adequate shelter, helpdesk, wheelchair, and volunteers, among others, were provided at all Polling Stations. One polling station each, exclusively managed by women and PwDs, was set up in every Assembly Constituency for giving a comfortable voting experience.
The elections were also truly participative and encompassing in nature, as reflected in the data on cVIGIL usage. Since the start of the elections and until 18.09.2024, 355 complaints against electoral malpractices were disposed of with a disposal rate of 98.3%, which reduced campaign clutter and noise. The Suvidha platform has ensured transparent and timely approval of 4458 requests ahead of Phase 1, by political parties and candidates for seeking permissions for rallies, grounds, halls, etc.
The Commission, in its resolve to ensure that no voter is left behind, ensured that Polling Stations are accessible even in remote corners of Jammu and Kashmir, and even quiet villages were brought into the fold of the democratic exercise. In one such village in Dhadkai, famed as the “Silent Village,” the PwD voters with speech/hearing impairment made their voice heard loud and clear with their votes at Polling Station 195 Kuthyara in Bhadarwah Assembly Constituency, district Doda.
While taking a facilitative approach to the legitimate requests of candidates and political parties, the Commission has firmly cracked down on illegitimate means to sway voters. Powered by technology and intelligence-based targeted action, the Election Commission’s persistent efforts for an inducement-free election have led to seizures worth Rs 124.3 crores in Jammu and Kashmir as of 18.09.2024, with a firm crackdown on the supply and distribution of drugs and narcotics, which recorded seizures worth Rs. 107.9 Cr. Freebies amounting to over Rs. 15 Crore have also been seized. Enforcement Agencies are intensifying efforts to curb the menace of money power in the upcoming phases as well.
The provisional voter turnout figures of 58.85% as of 7:30 PM will continue to be updated Assembly Constituency-wise on the Voter Turnout App by the Returning Officers, as and when the polling parties formally close the poll and return from the polling stations based on the geographical/logistical conditions and after scrutiny of statutory papers and consideration of repolls, if any. The Commission, for the convenience of stakeholders, will also issue another press note with provisional voter turnout figures at around 11:45 PM today.
Polling for the second and third phases will be held on September 25 and October 1, 2024, respectively. Counting of votes is scheduled on October 8, 2024.
Meanwhile, In 2014 assembly elections, Mehbooba Mufti-led PDP had won 11 seats of the 24 seats voting today. The BJP and Congress four each while the Farooq Abdullah-led National Conference and CPI(M) had one one seat each.
Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged all those in constituencies going to the polls in the first phase in Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday to vote in large numbers and strengthen the festival of democracy.
“I particularly call upon young and first-time voters to exercise their franchise,” Modi said in a post on X.
Important Constituencies
The constituencies that are voting today include Tral, Pulwama, Rajpora, Zainapora, Shopian, DH Pora, Kulgam, Devsar, Dooru, Kokernag (ST), Anantnag West, Anantnag, Srigufwara-Bijbehara, Shangus-Anantnag East, Pahalgam – all in South Kashmir, once a militancy hot bed.
In Jammu region, Inderwal, Kishtwar, Padder-Nagseni, Bhadarwah, Doda, Doda West, Ramban, and Banihal seats are voting today.
Congress-NC alliance
The Congress and the NC are fighting the elections in alliance. The PDP, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), People’s Conference, to name a few, are other parties in the fray.
The PDP-BJP government formed after 2014 assembly elections could not last the full 6-year term as BJP withdrew its support to former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti’s Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2018.
Since then, the erstwhile state has been under central rule.
Key Candidates
Prominent candidates from Kashmir whose fate will be sealed in EVMs on Wednesday include CPI-M’s Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami, who is seeking a fifth consecutive term from Kulgam seat.
PDP’s Iltija Mufti, daughter of party chief Mehbooba Mufti, is contesting from family bastion Srigufwara-Bijbehara seat. Waheed-Ur-Rehman Para of the PDP is the candidate from Pulwama assembly seat. Para lost Lok Sabha Elections 2024 from Srinagar parliamentary seat.
