Historic Turnout Shatters Boycotts, Signals New Era
Suhail Khan
SRINAGAR, June 06: The Summer capital Srinagar has emerged as a game changer in the recently held 2024 Lok Sabha Elections. Voter turnout reached approximately 38 percent, with around 6,75,399 voters casting their ballots out of 17.47 lakh eligible voters. A total of 24 candidates vied for a seat in Parliament.
This Lok Sabha election is historically significant for Kashmir, being the first general election since the abrogation of Article 370 on August 5, 2019. The absence of boycott calls from separatist leaders or organizations added an intriguing dimension to this electoral cycle.
In the Srinagar Parliamentary Constituency, key candidates included the National Conference’s Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi, People’s Democratic Party’s Waheed ul Rehman Para, and Apni Party’s Mohammad Ashraf Mir. Despite expectations of a close race between the NC and PDP, the NC dominated from the first round.
Vote Share Data
National Conference (Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi):
Kangan: 23,841
Ganderbal: 31,895
Hazratbal: 20,120
Khanyar: 15,346
Habakadal: 11,165
Lal Chowk: 19,282
Chanpora: 11,951
Zadibal: 26,339
Edigah: 10,943
Central Sheltang: 18,322
Khansaab: 24,129
Chare-I-Sharief: 28,097
Chadoora: 26,692
Pampore: 17,278
Tral: 18,696
Pulwama: 12,908
Rajpora: 16,615
Shopian: 21,040
SPS-1-2-3: 637
Postal and migrant votes: 1,572
PDP (Waheed ul Rehman Para):
Kangan: 12,269
Ganderbal: 13,356
Hazratbal: 4,453
Khanyar: 668
Habakadal: 593
Lal Chowk: 3,112
Chanpora: 2,000
Zadibal: 895
Edigah: 1,286
Central Sheltang: 2,511
Khansaab: 10,915
Chare-I-Sharief: 20,251
Chadoora: 8,902
Pampore: 13,053
Tral: 11,579
Pulwama: 22,954
Rajpora: 24,119
Shopian: 14,638
Srinagar-SPS-1-2-3: 112
Postal and migrant votes: 784
Apni Party (Mohammad Ashraf Mir):
Kangan: 3,601
Ganderbal: 6,240
Hazratbal: 2,670
Khanyar: 1,453
Habkadal: 493
Lal Chowk: 4,088
Chanpora: 3,101
Zadibal: 2,796
Edigah: 1,320
Central Shaktang: 3,474
Khansaab: 4,920
Chare-I-Sharief: 5,369
Chadoora: 4,358
Pampore: 2,620
Tral: 3,471
Pulwama: 3,256
Rajpora: 2,633
Shopian: 4,657
Srinagar-SPS-1: 4,719
Srinagar-SPS-2: 114
Srinagar-SPS-3: 141
Postal and migrant votes: 460
Other candidates included Independent Hakeekat Singh (3,778 votes), Rubeena Akhter (2,876 votes), and Amir Ahmad Bhat (15,104 votes). Mohammad Yousuf Bhat secured 1,898 votes, Younis Ahmad Mir 925 votes, Amin Dar 996 votes, and Javid Ahmad Wani 932 votes. Jibran Firdous Dar received 5,498 votes, Jehangir Ahmad Shiekh 4,422 votes, and Reyaz Ahmad Bhat 2,792 votes. Sajad Ahmad Dar obtained 3,764 votes, Shahnawaz Hussain Shah 2,203 votes, and Sheban Ashai 13,071 votes. Sayim Mustufa secured 8,880 votes, Ghulam Mohammad Wani 1,040 votes, Fayaz Ahmad Bhat 2,227 votes, Dr. Qazi Ashraf 919 votes, Mirza Sajad Hussain Beigh 1,064 votes, and Nisar Ahmad Ahanger 1,124 votes. Waheeda Tabassum Shah received 1,606 votes, and Waseem Hasaan Shiekh secured 2,555 votes.
This election marked a historic moment in Kashmir as not only common people but also families of former militants participated, reflecting a desire for change, development, and the assertion of their rights.
The election campaign was festive, with active participation from every corner of the Union Territory, from the plains to the mountains. This increased involvement is a promising sign for the upcoming assembly elections, ensuring the continued vitality of the democratic process in J&K.
Voter turnout in the Kashmir Valley saw a remarkable 30-point increase from the 2019 elections, jumping from 19.16% to 50.86%. Srinagar, Baramulla, and Anantnag-Rajouri constituencies registered turnouts of 38.49%, 59.1%, and 54.84%, respectively. The Udhampur and Jammu constituencies reported even higher turnouts of 68.27% and 72.22%.
Ladakh, now a separate Union Territory since 2019, also saw enthusiastic participation with a 71.82% voter turnout. This election cycle highlights a significant embrace of democracy by the people of J&K, particularly among younger voters.
Suhail Khan is a filmmaker, content writer, and freelance journalist.
