India

Jammu And Kashmir Sees Historic 60.21% Voter Turnout In First Phase Of Assembly Elections

The first phase of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections on Wednesday saw 24 constituencies across seven districts voting for the first time in 10 years. The region recorded a voter turnout of 60.21%, the highest in the last seven elections. This number may rise as final reports on postal ballots come in. Chief Electoral Officer P K Pole stated that voting remained peaceful, with no significant incidents reported across any polling stations. While some minor scuffles occurred, no serious incidents required a repoll.

This election phase is significant as it is the first after the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019, which stripped the state of its special status and reorganized it into Union Territories. According to the Election Commission, Inderwal recorded the highest turnout at 80.06%, followed by Padder-Nagseni at 80.67% and Kishtwar at 78.11%.

Key Constituencies and Candidates

In Anantnag district, Pahalgam recorded the highest turnout at 67.86%. Pulwama district saw Pulwama segment at 50.42%, followed by Rajpora at 48.07% and Tral at 43.21%. This election takes place in a transformed atmosphere, following the Article 370 abrogation. Key regional parties, such as Farooq Abdullah’s NC and Mehbooba Mufti’s PDP, along with national parties like Congress and BJP, are vying for crucial gains.

Notable candidates include CPI(M)’s Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami from Kulgam and AICC General Secretary Ghulam Ahmad Mir in Dooru. In this phase, over 23 lakh voters will decide the fate of 219 candidates, including 90 independents. Of the 24 Assembly seats, eight are in the Jammu region and four in the Kashmir Valley.

The Election Commission reports that 23,27,580 electors are eligible to vote in Phase 1, comprising 11,76,462 male, 11,51,058 female, and 60 third-gender voters. A total of 14,000 polling staff will oversee the process at 3,276 polling stations, ensuring smooth voting. The Jammu and Kashmir Police have implemented extensive security measures for the polls to maximize voter turnout, according to senior officer VK Birdi. Multi-tier security from Central Armed Paramilitary Forces, Jammu and Kashmir Armed Police, and J&K Police is in place.

The second phase of voting will take place on September 25, followed by the third phase on October 1, with vote counting scheduled for October 8.

Also Read: When PM Modi Donned Pheran Gifted By Kashmiri Farmer: A Heart-Warming Story

Ajaypal Choudhary

Recent Posts

AI & Surveillance Systems To Revolutionize Maha Kumbh 2025 Experience

The UP government is using AI, social media, and surveillance to ensure safety for 45…

2 minutes ago

Maha Kumbh 2025: Ultra-Modern Cruises To Become A Key Attraction For Devotees

The Yogi Adityanath-led UP government will introduce luxury cruises to transport devotees from Kashi to…

54 minutes ago

Aam Aadmi Party Kicks Off ‘Revdi Par Charcha’ Campaign Ahead Of Delhi Elections

On Friday, AAP launched its 'Revdi Par Charcha' campaign to engage Delhi residents in the…

2 hours ago

Canada Denies Allegations Against Indian Leadership; Rejects Criminal Links

The Canadian govt addressed allegations linking Indian leaders to criminal activities, stating there is no…

2 hours ago

Delhi-NCR Faces ‘Very Poor’ Air Quality As Smog Engulfs Region

On Friday morning, Delhi-NCR's air quality was classified as 'very poor,' with a light haze…

3 hours ago

Indian Stock Market Rallies Despite Geopolitical Strains; Buoyed By Strong Domestic Sectors

The Indian stock market displayed resilience, opening on a positive note despite escalating geopolitical tensions…

5 hours ago