Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Elections phase 1: A voter turnout of 58.19% was recorded by 5 pm in the first phase of assembly polls in Jammu and Kashmir held on Wednesday. According to Election Commission data, Kishtwar saw the highest turnout at 77.23%, followed by Doda at 69.33%, Ramban at 67.71%, Kulgam at 59.62%, Shopian at 53.64%, and Anantnag at 54.17%. Pulwama had the lowest turnout at 43.87%.
This election cycle is notable as it marks the first Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir in nearly a decade, with the last elections held in 2014. It is also significant as it is the first electoral exercise since the abrogation of Article 370.
The first phase of voting covered 24 constituencies: 16 in southern Kashmir and eight in the Jammu division. The constituencies where voting took place include Pampore, Tral, Pulwama, Rajpora, Zainapora, Shopian, D.H. Pora, Kulgam, Devsar, Dooru, Kokernag (ST), Anantnag West, Anantnag, Srigufwara, Bijbehara, Shangus, Anantnag East, Pahalgam, Inderwal, Kishtwar, Padder – Nagseni, Bhadarwah, Doda, Doda West, Ramban, and Banihal.
Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Elections phase 1 Highlights: Voting began in J&K amid elaborate security arrangements. Follow Financial Express for all the latest election-related updates.
A long queue of voters were witnessed at the Doda polling booth on Wednesday as 24 seats in Jammu and Kashmir went to polls in the first phase of Assembly elections.
National Conference candidate Khalid Najib is up against BJP‘s Gajay Singh Rana and Congress‘s Sheikh Riaz and Democratic Progressive Azad Party’s (DPAP) Abdul Majid Wani in the Doda seat.
#watch | J&K: A long queue of voters witnessed at a polling booth in Doda, as they await their turn to cast a vote.
— ANI (@ANI) September 18, 2024
National Conference has fielded Khalid Najib from the Doda seat, BJP has fielded Gajay Singh Rana, Congress fielded Sheikh Riaz and Democratic Progressive Azad… pic.twitter.com/khrt14aYRm
Over 35,000 displaced Kashmiri Pandits from across the country are eligible to vote at 24 polling stations during the first phase of the three-phase Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday. These displaced voters will exercise their right to vote in 16 constituencies across the southern districts of Anantnag, Pulwama, Shopian, and Kulgam.
Polling began at 7 am at all 1,328 polling stations across the eight assembly seats in the Chenab Valley districts of Doda, Kishtwar, and Ramban, under heavy security due to a recent surge in terror activities that have resulted in the deaths of six army personnel and four terrorists over the past three months.
In addition to the Chenab Valley, the first phase of assembly elections also includes four districts in South Kashmir: Anantnag, Pulwama, Kulgam, and Shopian, which collectively have 16 assembly constituencies. Additionally, 24 polling stations have been established—19 in Jammu, one in Udhampur, and four in Delhi—to enable more than 35,000 Kashmiri Pandits to cast their votes in this first phase.
A long line of voters formed at a polling booth in Pulwama as they waited to cast their ballots. Polling has started for 24 Assembly constituencies across Jammu & Kashmir, with 16 in Kashmir and 8 in Jammu.
#watch | J&K: Voters enter a polling station in Pulawama as polling for 24 Assembly constituencies across Jammu & Kashmir (16 in Kashmir and 8 in Jammu), begins pic.twitter.com/1z4JZVKtym
— ANI (@ANI) September 18, 2024
#watch | J&K: A long queue of voters witnessed at a polling booth in Pulwama, as they await their turn to cast a vote.
— ANI (@ANI) September 18, 2024
Polling for 24 Assembly constituencies across Jammu & Kashmir (16 in Kashmir and 8 in Jammu), begins. pic.twitter.com/HcGIS0gtoA
Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweets “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.”
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.— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 18, 2024
Security forces are on high alert throughout the union territory of Jammu & Kashmir. Armed personnel and security vans are stationed near sensitive polling booths to ensure the safe and orderly conduct of voting and to mitigate any potential threats.
Polling has commenced for 24 Assembly constituencies in Jammu & Kashmir, with 16 in Kashmir and 8 in Jammu. The polling will continue till 6 pm today. This election represents the first Assembly vote in the region since the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019.
As many as 219 candidates, including 90 Independents, are in the fray in this phase. The Congress and National Conference (NC) have formed an alliance while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), People’s Conference and others are contesting solo.