Peaceful polling amid high security
SUHAIL KHAN
SRINAGAR, Oct 1: A highest voter turnout of 65.58 per cent was recorded in the third and final phase of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections on Tuesday, according to Election Commission data. Among the 40 constituencies, the highest voter turnout was recorded in Akhnoor at 76.28 per cent, while Sopore saw the lowest voter turnout of 45.32 percent.
As polling began in the 40 Assembly segments across seven districts of Jammu and Kashmir, long queues were witnessed outside polling stations, as voters gathered to decide the fate of 415 candidates. A voter turnout of 65.48 per cent.
More than 39.18 lakh eligible voters were eligible to cast ballots, some of whom voted for the first time in the Assembly elections post the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019. Two former deputy chief ministers Tara Chand and Muzaffar Baig, and several former ministers and legislators were in fray in the third and final polling phase.
Other prominent candidates in the fray were Raman Bhalla (R S Pura), Usman Majid (Bandipora), Nazir Ahmad Khan (Gurez), Taj Mohiuddin (Uri), Basharat Bukhari (Wagoora-Kreeri), Imran Ansari (Pattan), Ghulam Hassan Mir (Gulmarg), Choudhary Lal Singh (Basohli), Rajiv Jasrotia (Jasrota), Manohar Lal Sharma (Billawar), Sham Lal Sharma, and Ajay Kumar Sadhotra (Jammu North).
West Pakistani refugees, Valmiki Samaj, and Gorkha community members also thronged polling stations in the early hours after having gained voting rights for the first time after Article 370’s abrogation. They had previously voted in the District Development Council polls in 2020 and Block Development Council in 2019.
Over 400 companies of security forces, including armed police personnel and paramilitary were deployed to ensure smooth and peaceful voting.
The Election Commission had undertaken special initiatives to improve voter turnout by setting up 240 special polling stations, 50 pink polling stations managed by women, and 43 polling stations manned by persons with disabilities. 45 green polling stations promoting environmental awareness were also installed.
Additionally, 29 polling stations were near the Line of Control and the International Border for border residents, besides 33 unique polling stations.
For migrant voters of the Kashmir division, 24 special polling stations, including 19 in Jammu, four in Delhi, and one in Udhampur district were established.
Meanwhile, the polling for the Jammu & Kashmir Legislative Assembly elections concluded on Tuesday in a peaceful and celebratory atmosphere. Scenes of voters patiently waiting in lines at polling stations, set against the scenic backdrop of the region, highlighted the people’s strong faith in democracy,” an official statement issued by the Election Commission of India, read as per Kashmir Despatch.
“The festive mood and enthusiastic participation were evident across all districts that went for polls in three-phased elections, underscoring a renewed spirit of civic participation and hope for a new era with people deciding their own future.”
It said that CEC Shri Rajiv Kumar along with ECs Shri Gyanesh Kumar and Dr. Sukhbir Singh Sandhu have delivered on their promise of ensuring democratic resurgence in Jammu & Kashmir.
Voting across 40 ACs in the third and final phase which commenced at 7 PM was held peacefully without any incidents of violence. As of 7 PM, a voter turnout of 65.58% was recorded at the polling stations.
The 2024 GELA in J&K has seen a 7% increase in the number of candidates contesting from assembly elections in 2014. “Women candidates made a significant leap, increasing from 28 to 43 in the corresponding period, while independent candidates saw a 26% rise, further contributing to the expanding electoral landscape and grassroot political participation. Post delimitation exercise in J&K, for the first time in history, 9 seats were reserved for Scheduled Tribes (ST) in J&K resulting in a more inclusive & participative election,” the statement said. “Registered Unrecognized Political Parties (RUPPs) also demonstrated a remarkable 71% increase in participation from 138 in 2014 to 236 in 2024. For campaigning by various parties, a total of 330 requests were received for pre-certification of campaign content by State MCMC as compared to 27 in 2014 LA elections.”
The statement said that the provisional voter turnout figures of 65.58% as of 7 PM will continue to be updated AC wise on the Voter Turnout App by the ROs, 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.
As per the Assembly constituency wise turnout, Akhnoor (SC): 76.28 %, .Bahu: 57.07 %, .Bandipora: 62.00 %, Bani:71.24 %, Baramulla:47.95 %, Basohli:67.24 %, Billawar: 69.64 %, Bishnah (SC):72.75%, .Chenani:73.79%, Chhamb:77.35%, Gulmarg:64.19%, Gurez (ST):75.89%, Handwara:69.06%, .Hiranagar:71.18%, .Jammu east:60.21%, Jammu north:60.79%, Jammu west:56.31%, .Jasrota:71.79%, Karnah:66.30%, Kathua (SC):71.49%, Kupwara:59.68%, Langate:59.81%, Lolab:61.22%, Marh (SC):76.10%, Nagrota:72.94%, .Pattan:60.87%, .RS Pura – Jammu south:61.65%, Rafiabad:58.39%, .Ramgarh (SC):73.10%, Ramnagar (SC):70.38%, Samba:71.16%, Sonawari:65.56%, Sopore:41.44%, Suchetgarh (SC):68.02%, Trehgam:62.27%, Udhampur east:74.07%, Udhampur west:73.20%, Uri:64.81%, Vijaypur:73.05% and Wagoora-Kreeri:56.43%.
Pertinently, in the first phase of the J&K polls, a voter turnout of 61.38 per cent was recorded on September 18, followed by 57.31 per cent in the second phase on September 25.The results are scheduled to be announced on October 8.
