Peaceful polling amid high security
JAMMU/SRINAGAR: The first phase of the three-part J&K assembly elections recorded a voter turnout of 59% across 24 constituencies Wednesday, covering seven districts in south Kashmir and Jammu division on either side of the Pir Panjal range.
The voting process proceeded peacefully amid high security, according to J&K’s chief electoral officer PK Pole, and the final turnout could slightly increase once data from remote areas and postal ballots are included.
“Today’s voting percentage is higher than previous elections held in 2009, 2014, and 2024 (Lok Sabha), and 2008 and 2014 (assembly),” Pole said, expressing satisfaction with the voter engagement in 16 constituencies of south Kashmir districts, traditionally known for low turnout. “I am sure that in the next two phases, the voting percentage will be much higher than today,” he said in Jammu city.
However, the turnout was lower than the 71% recorded in the first of the five phases of elections held a decade ago. In 2014, the total turnout was nearly 66%, but the assembly’s strength was 87 then, including four seats from Ladakh. This was the highest polling percentage in 25 years despite calls by Hurriyat leaders like Syed Ali Shah Geelani and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq to boycott the elections.
The 2024 assembly elections are the first in 10 years and since the abrogation of Article 370 in Aug 2019 and the bifurcation of the region into Union territories — J&K and Ladakh. Following the 2023 delimitation exercise, the assembly now has 90 seats, with 47 representatives from Kashmir and 43 from Jammu.
The delimitation exercise ensured that no constituency straddles two districts, allowing for clearer district-wise figures this time, Pole said. Voter turnout varied across districts. In south Kashmir, Kulgam district recorded 61%, while Pulwama had the lowest with 46%. In the Jammu division, districts like Kishtwar saw 77%, the highest recorded in the region. Inderwal assembly segment in Jammu recorded an impressive 80% turnout.
In Redwani village of Kulgam’s Devsar constituency, which had previously been a hotbed for separatist activities, voters lined up in large numbers. Mahak Irfan, a 22-year-old first-time voter, said: “Boycott has given us nothing. We need someone to change the current dynamics and protect our rights.”
Local concerns, such as access to electricity and water resources, were central to voter sentiment. Abdul Rahim Dar of Devsar said: “Despite having our own power resources, we have to purchase electricity from outside. Now they’re saying that water will also be prepaid.”
Kulgam constituency saw CPM leader Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami contesting for a fifth consecutive term. He is facing stiff competition from nine other candidates, including independent candidate Talat Majid Alie — a former member of the banned Jamaat-e-Islami.
Tarigami’s supporters, such as Manzoor Ahmad, highlighted his achievements: “This vote is for his bold stand against the abrogation of Article 370. Tarigami always raised his voice against the revocation of the special status of Kashmir.”
In Dooru, AICC general secretary Ghulam Ahmad Mir of the NC-Congress alliance is also facing a tough challenge with the entry of former separatists as independents. Mir, who had won the seat in 2002 and 2008, narrowly lost by 161 votes in 2014 to PDP’s Syed Farooq Ahmad Andrabi. Similar tight margins were seen in Gurez and Kupwara, where candidates won by razor-thin differences — 141 and 151 votes, respectively.
The Jammu region’s eight constituencies saw strong voter enthusiasm, with long queues at polling stations in Doda, Kishtwar, and Ramban districts, which have been reeling from terrorist violence this summer.
Former J&K Congress chief Vikar Rasool Wani expressed confidence in his party’s chances despite a “friendly fight” with ally NC in Banihal. “We will win. Mark my words,” he said after casting his vote at Tulbagh-Rallu polling station. “It is not a friendly contest as they (NC) have criticised and abused us continuously.”
BJP’s Shagun Parihar, whose father and uncle were killed by terrorists in 2018, also expressed confidence after casting her vote in Kishtwar’s Mohalla Bagwan polling booth. “BJP will form the next govt in J&K,” said the 29-year-old, who is facing NC’s Sajjad Ahmed Kitchloo and PDP’s Firdous Ahmed Tak.
However, polling was briefly halted in the booth following complaints of “bogus” voting, where Shagun was allegedly heckled by PDP and NC workers. “I was taunted by NC-PDP workers that I am playing the victim card and trying to gain sympathy.” PDP’s Tak later claimed he was assaulted by a police officer and accused Shagun of trying to disrupt the peaceful voting process.
For Kashmiri Pandits, special polling stations were set up in Jammu, Udhampur, and Delhi to facilitate voting for over 35,000 displaced voters. “Free transport from designated locations was provided to them,” an official said.
Voting for 26 seats will be held in the second phase on Sept 25, followed by 40 seats in the final round on Oct 1. Votes will be counted on Oct 8.
JAMMU/SRINAGAR: The first phase of the three-part J&K assembly elections recorded a voter turnout of 59% across 24 constituencies Wednesday, covering seven districts in south Kashmir and Jammu division on either side of the Pir Panjal range.
The voting process proceeded peacefully amid high security, according to J&K’s chief electoral officer PK Pole, and the final turnout could slightly increase once data from remote areas and postal ballots are included.
“Today’s voting percentage is higher than previous elections held in 2009, 2014, and 2024 (Lok Sabha), and 2008 and 2014 (assembly),” Pole said, expressing satisfaction with the voter engagement in 16 constituencies of south Kashmir districts, traditionally known for low turnout. “I am sure that in the next two phases, the voting percentage will be much higher than today,” he said in Jammu city.
However, the turnout was lower than the 71% recorded in the first of the five phases of elections held a decade ago. In 2014, the total turnout was nearly 66%, but the assembly’s strength was 87 then, including four seats from Ladakh. This was the highest polling percentage in 25 years despite calls by Hurriyat leaders like Syed Ali Shah Geelani and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq to boycott the elections.
The 2024 assembly elections are the first in 10 years and since the abrogation of Article 370 in Aug 2019 and the bifurcation of the region into Union territories — J&K and Ladakh. Following the 2023 delimitation exercise, the assembly now has 90 seats, with 47 representatives from Kashmir and 43 from Jammu.
The delimitation exercise ensured that no constituency straddles two districts, allowing for clearer district-wise figures this time, Pole said. Voter turnout varied across districts. In south Kashmir, Kulgam district recorded 61%, while Pulwama had the lowest with 46%. In the Jammu division, districts like Kishtwar saw 77%, the highest recorded in the region. Inderwal assembly segment in Jammu recorded an impressive 80% turnout.
In Redwani village of Kulgam’s Devsar constituency, which had previously been a hotbed for separatist activities, voters lined up in large numbers. Mahak Irfan, a 22-year-old first-time voter, said: “Boycott has given us nothing. We need someone to change the current dynamics and protect our rights.”
Local concerns, such as access to electricity and water resources, were central to voter sentiment. Abdul Rahim Dar of Devsar said: “Despite having our own power resources, we have to purchase electricity from outside. Now they’re saying that water will also be prepaid.”
Kulgam constituency saw CPM leader Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami contesting for a fifth consecutive term. He is facing stiff competition from nine other candidates, including independent candidate Talat Majid Alie — a former member of the banned Jamaat-e-Islami.
Tarigami’s supporters, such as Manzoor Ahmad, highlighted his achievements: “This vote is for his bold stand against the abrogation of Article 370. Tarigami always raised his voice against the revocation of the special status of Kashmir.”
In Dooru, AICC general secretary Ghulam Ahmad Mir of the NC-Congress alliance is also facing a tough challenge with the entry of former separatists as independents. Mir, who had won the seat in 2002 and 2008, narrowly lost by 161 votes in 2014 to PDP’s Syed Farooq Ahmad Andrabi. Similar tight margins were seen in Gurez and Kupwara, where candidates won by razor-thin differences — 141 and 151 votes, respectively.
The Jammu region’s eight constituencies saw strong voter enthusiasm, with long queues at polling stations in Doda, Kishtwar, and Ramban districts, which have been reeling from terrorist violence this summer.
Former J&K Congress chief Vikar Rasool Wani expressed confidence in his party’s chances despite a “friendly fight” with ally NC in Banihal. “We will win. Mark my words,” he said after casting his vote at Tulbagh-Rallu polling station. “It is not a friendly contest as they (NC) have criticised and abused us continuously.”
BJP’s Shagun Parihar, whose father and uncle were killed by terrorists in 2018, also expressed confidence after casting her vote in Kishtwar’s Mohalla Bagwan polling booth. “BJP will form the next govt in J&K,” said the 29-year-old, who is facing NC’s Sajjad Ahmed Kitchloo and PDP’s Firdous Ahmed Tak.
However, polling was briefly halted in the booth following complaints of “bogus” voting, where Shagun was allegedly heckled by PDP and NC workers. “I was taunted by NC-PDP workers that I am playing the victim card and trying to gain sympathy.” PDP’s Tak later claimed he was assaulted by a police officer and accused Shagun of trying to disrupt the peaceful voting process.
For Kashmiri Pandits, special polling stations were set up in Jammu, Udhampur, and Delhi to facilitate voting for over 35,000 displaced voters. “Free transport from designated locations was provided to them,” an official said.
Voting for 26 seats will be held in the second phase on Sept 25, followed by 40 seats in the final round on Oct 1. Votes will be counted on Oct 8.