In the initial hours of polling on Tuesday, Jammu and Kashmir witnessed a voter turnout of 28.04% across its 40 Assembly constituencies, according to the Election Commission of India (ECI).
Voters recorded this turnout by 11 AM, marking a notable engagement from the electorate.
Breakdown of voter turnout varied by district, with Bandipora recording 23.20%, Baramulla at 27.15%, Jammu at 31.78%, Kathua at 27.34%, Kupwara at 31.50%, and Udhampur leading with 33.84%.
The turnout figures suggest a promising level of participation compared to previous phases of the election, where turnout was 62% in the first phase and 58% in the second.
This third phase of polling saw a particularly enthusiastic response, with a significant number of women voters casting their ballots early.
Voting proceeded smoothly across all 5,060 polling stations established for this phase.
Over 8,000 personnel staff 1,842 polling stations located in the Kashmir districts of Baramulla, Kupwara, and Bandipora.
The Jammu division, including Samba, Kathua, and Udhampur, distributes the remaining 3,218 stations.
Voters in the Kashmir Valley, particularly in Baramulla and Kupwara, donned warm clothing, while those in the Jammu region, including Kathua, Samba, and Udhampur, opted for lighter summer attire.
Enthusiastic queues formed at polling stations in locations such as Pattan, Sangrama, and Uri town, while festive spirits were evident in Jammu, where voters in traditional Dogri attire celebrated the occasion.
High Voter Turnout Near International Border In Samba, Kathua, & Jammu
In areas near the International Border, particularly in Samba, Kathua, and Jammu, voter enthusiasm was particularly high.
Voters engaged with security personnel stationed at polling stations, and special provisions were made to assist sick and elderly voters, ensuring everyone could exercise their democratic rights.
In this crucial third phase, a total of 39.18 lakh voters are likely to decide the political fate of 415 candidates across the constituencies.
Jammu district features 11 constituencies, while Samba, Kathua, and Udhampur have 3, 6, and 4 constituencies, respectively.
The districts of Baramulla and Kupwara comprise 16 constituencies.
For this phase, the Election Commission has established 5,030 polling stations, including special facilities for Kashmiri migrant voters, with 11 stations located in Jammu, 4 in Delhi, and 1 in Udhampur.
As the day unfolds, the focus remains on encouraging maximum voter participation to ensure a robust electoral process in the region.
Also Read: Final Phase Of Jammu & Kashmir Elections; Leaders Urge Voters To Make Their Voices Heard
