Voting in the first phase of the three-phase Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir is underway across 24 constituencies in seven districts today. Elaborate security measures in place across 7 districts to ensure higher turnout and the polls were held peacefully.
The voter turnout in the first phase of voting for Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections was recorded at 26.72 per cent as of 11 am. It may be noted that this is the first election in Jammu and Kashmir post Article 370 Abrogation.
According to the Election Commission, Kishtwar recorded 32.69 per cent turnout followed by Doda 32.20 per cent, Ramban 31.25 per cent, Shopian 25.96 per cent, Kulgam 25.95 per cent, Anantnag 25.55 per cent and Pulwama 20.37 per cent.
Key candidates in Kashmir whose fate will be decided today include CPI (M)’s Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami, AICC general secretary Ghulam Ahmad Mir, National Conference’s Sakina Itoo, and PDP’s Sartaj Madni and Abdul Rehman Veeri.
PDP’s Iltija Mufti, running from Srigufwara-Bijbehara, and the party’s youth leader Waheed Para, from Pulwama, are also the contenders to watch for in the first phase.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has urged the people in Jammu and Kashmir to vote in large numbers and strengthen the festival of democracy.
“As the first phase of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections begins, I urge all those in constituencies going to the polls today to vote in large numbers and strengthen the festival of democracy. I particularly call upon young and first-time voters to exercise their franchise,” he posted on X.
The Union Territory is voting for the first time in an Assembly election in 10 years. This is the also first Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir since the abrogation of Article 370, which gave the erstwhile state special status, in 2019.
It is also the first time that Jammu and Kashmir is witnessing an Assembly election as a Union Territory. When Article 370 was abrogated, the state was divided into the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.
Over 23 lakh voters are eligible to vote for 219 candidates, including 90 independents, in eight Assembly segments in three districts of the Jammu region and 16 in four districts of Kashmir Valley. The polling is scheduled to end at 6 pm.
Polling in the remaining 66 Assembly seats will be held in the other two phases on September 25 and October 1, while the counting of the votes will take place on October 8.