Srinagar, Oct 03: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has announced a voter turnout of 69.69% during Phase 3 of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Elections, which included voting in 40 Assembly Constituencies (ACs). This represents an increase from the previous Lok Sabha elections, which recorded a turnout of 58.58%.
Notably, female voters surpassed their male counterparts in participation, with a female turnout of 70.02% compared to 69.37% for males during this phase. The overall voter turnout for the elections stands at 63.88%, showcasing an improvement over previous polling events.
In detail, the gender-wise voter turnout for the third phase is as follows:
- Male Turnout: 69.37%
- Female Turnout: 70.02%
- Third Gender Turnout: 43.86%
- Overall Turnout: 69.69%
The Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of J&K confirmed the safe return of all polling parties and that scrutiny of votes was completed in the presence of candidates or their authorized agents. The ECI facilitated real-time tracking of voter turnout trends using a dedicated app, updating figures every two hours starting from 9:30 AM.
The electoral data indicates variations in turnout across different Assembly Constituencies, with some areas showing remarkable participation. For instance, areas like Gurez, Udhampur West, and Marh (SC) recorded turnouts of 76.41%, 75.35%, and 81.83%, respectively.
Voter Turnout Table: Key Constituencies from Phase 3
| AC Name | Male Voter Turnout (%) | Female Voter Turnout (%) | Total Voter Turnout (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Karnah | 69.24 | 70.54 | 69.88 |
| Handwara | 72.66 | 72.89 | 72.78 |
| Gulmarg | 71.99 | 70.74 | 71.37 |
| Udhampur West | 75.35 | 78.90 | 77.07 |
| Marh (SC) | 81.83 | 81.08 | 81.47 |
The ECI has committed to ensuring transparency in the election process, with detailed reporting mechanisms in place, including the provision of Form 17C to candidates through polling agents.
Voting will continue in subsequent phases, and the final tallies, including postal ballots, will be available after the counting process. The electoral engagement seen in J&K is a positive indicator of democratic participation in the region.
